Sunday, 26 October 2014

200th Anniversary of the Basel Mission – Inauguration of Celebrations in India

            The Inaugural function marking the beginning of the ‘Year-long celebrations’ of the 200th Anniversary of the Basel Mission was held in the Hebic Memorial CSI Church in Dharwad, Karnataka on the of October 2014. A small team led by Rev. Vinod Allen attended this function representing the North Kerala Diocese.

The Team led by Rev. Vinod Allen along with Bishop R.J.Niranjan of the North Karnataka Diocese and Rev. Royce Manoj, the EMS Liaison of the North Kerala Diocese.
 
Our Team along with Mr. Lutz Drescher (third from left), the EMS Liaison (East Asia and India) from Germany.

         The function began with unveiling the curtain of the church gate by the Moderator of CSI, Most Rev. G. Daivashirvadam. 


 
    
        Everybody entered the church premises and visited the photo exhibition arranged in the church compound depicting the Basel Missionaries and the various churches and institutions established by them

Bishop R.J. Niranjan along with other Bishops visiting the photo exhibition.
The Photo Exhibition
Our delegates in front of the Hebic CSI Church, Dharwad
  

           The Moderator and Bishops along with other Presbyters entered the altar and the “Candle” was lit marking the beginning of the celebrations.

The Moderator of CSI, lighting the Candle
 
            Mr. Christopher, a renowned Violinist from Germany played a beautiful piece of music in his Violin. 

Mr. Christopher from Germany playing the Violin.

              
           Asst. Moderator Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, Mr. Lutz Drescher (The EMS Liaison for East Asia and India), Rev. Vinod Allen (On behalf of the North Kerala Diocese) and other dignitaries conveyed their greetings and felicitations on the occasion.

Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen addressing the gathering.
Mr. Lutz Drescher addressing the gathering.
 
Rev. Vinod Allen addressing the gathering on behalf of the NKD.
 
         
         The Hebic Church choir presented a beautiful song. The Moderator,  Most Rev. G. Daivashirvadam then delivered the message during the service.

The Hebic Memorial Church Choir
The Moderator of CSI giving the message.
  
 
         'Floral Tributes’ were given on the tombs of early missionaries who served in India. The cemetery adjacent to the church is a resting place of many famed missionaries to whom we are very much indebted.

The Cemetery adjacent to the Hebic CSI Church
Bishop presenting flowers in a missionary's tomb.
Rev. Vinod Allen presenting flowers in the tomb of a missionary.
  

            A public function was organized in the evening in which a large number of people attended.



The Public Function









2 comments:

  1. My blessings and congratulations for your impressionable 200 year ceremonies in India on behalf of Mission 21 and Basel Mission. We are moved in Basel Mission House how you become a part of our celecrations. We feel how much common ground we gave with you through this common celebration. We wish you luck and success with all your events. May you tell our common story to a lot of people. Peter Felber, Head of Communications in Basel Mission House and main responsible for the Celebrations of the 200 year Jubilee on behalf of Basel Mission

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  2. a most memorable Seminar when People of other faith payed Tribute to Basel Mission missionaries contributing to education, awareness and conscientisation, life skills like printing press, BMT, archives and also to the litrature. Good I was there to witness the Exhibition and the Seminar.

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