PASSAGES - Edition Four

A CHRISTIAN PARTNERSHIP FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Written by Father Amala Vinodh, SDB Director Don Bosco Tribal Development Society

The Don Bosco Tribal Development Society has been working in Jawadhi Hills for the past 50 years, since 1976 The social ministry in Jawadhi Hills was initiated by Fr Angelo Codello, an Italian Missionary While he was working in Katpadi, he was requested by the then collector of Vellore to go to Jawadhi Hills to begin the Society’s water-shed projects In the 1970’s the people of Jawadhi faced a severe drought, and malnutrition and poverty were very high

Fr Angelo Codello was skilled in watershed management and accepted this opportunity to help the drought stricken farmers in Jawadhi He spent the next few years living under very basic conditions digging open wells and lakes in strategic locations to maximize water storage This was his greatest contribution to the hills and the people still remember his life-altering accomplishments to this day

The large lakes in Jammunamarathur, Erimamarathur, Jambudi, Bargur and in many other places were dug by Fr Angelo by hand He started a “Food for Work” project, which provided the labor for digging the wells, for in those days there were no JCBs to do the digging that was necessary He started the first integrated farming project and the fist dairy unit, used to educate people for sustainable income generation This project was initiated with a Trust called “Plough” This Community Trust collaborated with the Community Health and Department (CHAD) program at the Christian Medical College to bring health care to the people through outreach clinics In the

THE TRANSFORMING TOUCH OF JESUS

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him Luke 5:13

The pandemic and social distancing have made human touch a rarity. However, medical science shows us that a physical touch triggers the release of brain endorphins: an internal soother, which is more powerful than any painkillers. But touch is more than just a scientific confluence of brain chemicals The power of touch by a nurse, doctor, or therapist, enhances healing In times of difficulty, a friendly touch gives encouragement and makes hope soar.

One of the principle means through which Jesus transformed the lives of people was through his gentle, life-giving touch Jesus’ touch gave a new lease of life to people in need and pain Jesus touched the leper, and he was healed He touched a person without sight, and he could see. He touched the lifeless body of a girl, and she came back to life. A demon-possessed man was set free, just because Jesus touched him. The gospels abound in accounts of Jesus’s healing touch.

Jesus used the physical aspect of touching to a great effect in a culture which considered touching as a significant act, because it can defile a person, pollute them religiously or even make them

Illuminating the "Healing Ministry of Christ" through CMC

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ReverendCanonDr.AndersonJeremiah,SeniorLecturer DepartmentofPolitics,PhilosophyandReligion,LancasterUniversityUK.

early days, the medical team from CMC stayed in the Don Bosco House, which started the long relationship between CMC and Don Bosco Tribal Development Society that exists to this day.

At the conclusion of Fr. Codello’s work, the Don Bosco fathers who came later expanded the services in Jawadhi. Several Self-Help Groups were started to promote income-generation projects for the people. This paved the way for starting the “Makkal Sangam” and the “Malaivalvu Munetra Sangam”. This sangam or society was later registered with the government under the Society’s Act.

Fr. Antony Samy, the Rector at that time took the initiative to register the society with the objective of making this society an implementing body for the development work in the hills. He was able to create several assets for the Society, examples are: a large building to be rented as a shopping complex, vehicles for the people, and a corpus fund for the development of farm-related activities. This sangam is currently independent and functions on its own.

Soon after Fr. Samy completed his term, our work in Jawadhi was revisited and a social audit was done. The results of the audit prompted us to include many more objectives to our work based on the needs and priorities of the people. At this time, we started our work on the “prevention of alcohol abuse”, addressing distress migration and the poor outcomes of primary education. We also continued our work on watershed management and income generation projects. The outcome of our audit also highlighted the need to partner with other likeminded NGO’s to strengthen and expand the reach of our community outreach programs in Jawadhi.

It was during this time that we restarted our work with CMC, which had stopped for a period, as our focus was on development and CMC’s focus was on medical work. The current partnership with CMC is now a decade long. We started working together in 2012. Together we are able to reach about 350 of the nearly 400 villages in Jawadhi hills, and we have a combined team of more than a 100 people, half of whom are tribal people, working

unworthy of human contact. But Jesus’ physical touch meant new life.

For me one of the most reassuring painting hangs in Vellore hospital chapel entrance, in a busy bedside situation, among nurses and doctors stands Jesus reaching out and touching the person in need, through those around him

During Christmas we celebrate God touching humanity through Jesus. May we be reminded that the touch of Jesus, a touch of love, compassion and healing continues in this world of pain and suffering through us, each and every day

working together The following are the programs we work together on:

The Model Village Project

The Children Programs, including the Night schools (50 in number), Annual Summer Camp, Children’s Clubs, and Children’s Parliament Community-based substance abuse program and the substance abuse clinic Development work in other villages Collaborations in following up, referring, and counseling medical patients under care from CMC Various training programs for farmers, women’s groups, and government staff

Over the last few years, the two teams have merged seamlessly and work as one body for the upliftment and development of the people of Jawadhi hills The small core team running the programs has bonded to be like a family The long association has given us the freedom to discuss and debate our points of view and we have, to date, by God’s Grace, been able to reach a consensus on all our combined initiatives This partnership has been the greatest strength for each of the two institutions working in the hills and I believe it is a partnership blessed by our Savior to minister to the social and development needs of

the people. This type of partnership is the need of the hour and CMC and Don Bosco Tribal Society is not just a partnership but is truly a path breaking, exemplary and a true witness to the divided Christian world. Let us work together to enflesh Christian values here and now.

THINK GLOBALLY AND ACT LOCALLY

Written by Rev. Dr. Anna Thomas, Senior Pastor Beverly United Methodist Church

When I first came to serve as pastor at Beverly United Methodist Church in Beverly, New Jersey, I realized I was embarking on a journey in the footsteps of John Wesley, the pioneer of Methodism. It was Wesley who devised the system of circuit riders, who moved all around America, especially in sparsely populated areas. I was drawing inspiration from the institution of circuit riders visiting unfamiliar places and new people. I had never served a church in South Jersey--and if you know New Jersey, you know there is a cultural divide between North and South Jersey. Beverly is a small town with no town center, and there is a clear demarcation between rich and poor based on geography. It was interesting for me to see the real America that lives not just in the cities but towns and byways. I wondered what Beverly’s story was, this small community on the banks of the Delaware River.

To my greatest surprise, I found that the people of this church possessed hearts of gold and a passion for reaching the least and lost through their mission programs of Meals of Love (soup kitchen and food pantry) and Blessed Treasure (thrift shop). The church finds its calling in feeding people and helping them to find hope. I felt the ardent desire to take a step back, listen, and learn from the people I serve. The people at Beverly Methodist have

challenged themselves to ask a discerning question: what is their calling? And to that, they have a courageous answer, which is to keep a faithful witness serving the most vulnerable In this ministry, they do not act as lone rangers but do it by actively participating within the community Purposefully, the leadership at Beverly Methodist Church takes the time to reflect, think, plan, and strategize its goals in mission and ministry

The phrase “think globally and act locally” is also a preface for our mission and ministry here at Beverly Methodist Church We believe that mission of the church has both local and global aspects We must care for the vulnerable population at our doorsteps but also be in mission globally through our prayers giving and action We engage in

"THIS TYPE OF PARTNERSHIP IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR AND CMC AND DON BOSCO TRIBAL SOCIETY IS NOT JUST A PARTNERSHIP BUT IS TRULY A PATHBREAKING, EXEMPLARY, AND A TRUE WITNESS TO THE DIVIDED CHRISTIAN WORLD. LET US WORK TOGETHER TO ENFLESH CHRISTIAN VALUES HERE AND NOW."

global work through the United Methodist missions around the world, and we lift prayers for Vellore Medical College Foundation for its exceptional work to outreach poor and tribal populations in Vellore, India. Mission is the fire that helps the church stay alive and be relevant.

The pandemic has affected every aspect of human existence, be it personal, social, emotional, or psychological, and it has made the world look and feel smaller. Through all this, we have learned that we are not alone The postpandemic church must reflect a radical shift in how we do mission and ministry Now, through our online worship presence, we engage not only our immediate community but also the world at large The church cannot go back to isolating itself in its “silo,” overlooking the impact it has on

JAWADHI HILLS MODEL VILLAGES CAMPAIGN

We invite you to join the Vellore CMC Foundation’s collaborative initiative with Dr Anu Rose (Professor at CMC, Vellore) and her team in extending the healing ministry of Christ to the entrenched communities in the Jawadi Hills through the Model Village Program In this light, we are launching a campaign to help CMC build upon the holistic community approach that they have adopted thus far by further enhancing the capabilities of three existing villages while introducing the Model Village program to one additional tribal community

Our goal is to raise $200,000 to support this endeavor and we are pleased to share that many members of our Faith-based community along with the Scudder Association Foundation have already pledged their support 100% of the funds raised will go directly to this program to support comprehensive access to health care, early infectious disease prevention, clean water, hygiene/sanitation, education, and social programs to improve the overall health of the village and its socioeconomic status Our latest Campaign update shows that we are close to the finish line, as we have reached more than 75% of our goal!

Please consider supporting this community empowerment initiative:

LEARN MORE

the outside world. In this Advent season, as we make room for Christ to come into our world, we must envision a mission bigger than our formerly small world. The church of today needs to invest in a missional future that takes us out of our comfort zone and helps to see our world expanded and global Emmanuel, God with us, has come to save all the world

"WE MUST CARE FOR THE VULNERABLE POPULATION AT OUR DOORSTEPS BUT ALSO BE IN MISSION GLOBALLY THROUGH OUR PRAYERS, GIVING, AND ACTION."

MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS ONE MINISTRY AT A TIME

Written by Reverend Moses Rathan Kumar, General Secretary and Treasurer, General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church

“The United Methodist Church has one mission – to make disciples for the transformation of the World.” The mission of The United Methodist Church (UMC) is bold and breathtaking. We are so in love with Jesus and believe so wholeheartedly in the awesomeness of His power that we are dedicated to a discipleship for the transformation of the world.

The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) is one of 13 agencies within The United Methodist Church that helps provide resources and services to equip local congregations and provide a connection for ministry throughout the world. But what do these resources and services entail? For us, GCFA’s ministry is one of administration, providing solutions like Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance, and more. Some services, like maintaining data, are functions that are mandated by our Book of Discipline, the UMC’s book of laws, administration, and procedure. GCFA’s ministry goal is to provide quality solutions at an affordable price to any entity that is historically or currently affiliated with The United Methodist Church.

Of course, discipling starts with people! GCFA supports many ministries by offering assessments, compensation studies, recruiting, training, and general support. Whether an organization needs help writing a job description and recruiting, for GCFA no job is too big or too small.

GCFA and UMC have also offered many administrative ministry solutions. Our professionals provide resources through our monthly newsletter, The Collaborator. Should you wish to view any edition of Collaborator, you can sign up by clicking on this link: www.gcfa.org/subscribe.

One of the goals of The United Methodist Church, in collaboration with the GCFA, is to support ministries that are fulfilling our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world Working in partnership with the Christian Medical College and Hospital of Vellore, India (CMC) and its U S partner, the Vellore CMC Foundation, we initiated this very type of ministry Global Ministries and United Methodist

Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian relief and development arm of the United Methodist Church, responded to the COVID health crisis in India by supporting the various response initiatives launched by CMC as they sought a resolution to this public health crisis Timely help was provided by UMC to help CMC cope with the direct health consequences of the pandemic As a first priority, UMC’s funding was used for the purchase of emergency medical equipment, beginning with bedside ventilators as CMC expanded their ICU capacity by 24 beds to treat the most severe Covid-19 patient cases at the behest of the Indian Government

The United Methodist Church agencies also contributed towards the supply of vaccines for CMC’s “Vaccinate

Vellore Campaign”, which was created to ensure that the tribal, rural and vulnerable populations of South India were properly vaccinated. God multiplied this giving and enabled CMC to alleviate suffering, bring healing and assurance to many and take a leadership role in the country’s battle against Covid. One example is that the Government of India appointed two members of CMC’s medical leadership team to be part of its “National COVID Task Force”.

A testament to the ministries of the United Methodist Church is the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity in our midst. Psalm 104:30 reminds us of God’s empowerment in our lives, “You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the ground.”

Through the passion and gifts of the Holy Spirit, the United Methodist Church continues in its mission of “Caring for the spiritual formation of people at the deepest levels, so that their personal transformation results in the transformation of the world!”

underserved and vulnerable people. Born into a Christian family, my parents taught us the value of doing things in love. I was very close to my father – my best friend. My world shattered when I lost him as a teenager. He was in a remote part of Andhra Pradesh in South India for a job assignment and died due to access to medical care issues. His loss created a huge impact on my life.

As Christians, my parents always showed us the beauty of giving and often reminded us that Jesus came not to be served but to serve. I feel I was destined to receive my nursing training at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, whose motto is: “not to be ministered unto but to minister.” The experiences of working as a staff nurse in the College of Nursing Community Health (CONCH) department, pediatric ward, and as a tutor for Fundamentals of Nursing were foundational in how my career unfolded.

A PASSION TO SERVE

THE UNDERSERVED: MY

JOURNEY

Written by Jane von Gaudecker, MSN, PhD, FAES, Assistant Professor of the Science of Nursing Care, Indiana University School of Nursing; Member of the Vellore CMC Foundation Board of Directors

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why” – Mark Twain

Like many others, I became a nurse to help people. I love working with people from different walks of life, cultures, and languages. I thrive on the challenge of understanding things deeply, being a lifelong learner, and identifying ways to serve vulnerable populations. Over the years, I have learned that underserved and vulnerable people can present themselves in several ways. In some places, these people cannot access medical treatment for themselves or their families because of the geographical distance to care or financial obstacles. Elsewhere, the underserved population could be people with a particular disease who face discrimination or cultural barriers and cannot access care because of how the community views their condition.

My personal and professional experiences have led to a long-standing dedication to making a difference among

After completing my BScN degree in 1997 and the twoyear bond in Vellore, I was still determining my next steps. Responding to a call for tutors from Christian Hospital Bissamcuttack (CHB), I moved to Odisha in 2000. The hospital was in the most beautiful and remote part of the state, and everyone working there believed in the expression of love that Jesus showed to anyone who came to them. The community outreach work CHB initiated to support and empower the underserved was beyond comparison Being in Odisha, one of the poorest states in the country, and working at CHB shaped my life I learned about the value of life, happiness, and service I knew I was called to serve!

It was in Odisha that I met my husband, a volunteer through the Zentrum für Mission und Ökumene, Germany After our marriage, I moved to Germany, and we lived in Leipzig for a couple of years before moving to Virginia, United States I started working as a registered nurse at the University of Virginia Medical Center on the neurological/neurosurgery floor Eight months into my new job, while I was still adjusting as a new immigrant learning new routines, my nurse manager asked if I would be interested in taking up the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Nurse Coordinator role This was because of my experience as a pediatric nurse (in CMC), and the epilepsy unit received both adult and pediatric patients, unlike the rest of the floor During this time, I found that epilepsy is not a disease of an individual alone, as it affects the patient’s family in various ways I developed a passion for helping these vulnerable populations living with this stigmatized disease