Deccan Herald video on the UTC library

The Deccan Herald online website has a new video on the United Theological College, Bangalore. The video concentrates on the library archives and the inter religious nature of the institution. The video was recorded last week.

The video says "The United Theological College library has rare manuscripts in several languages. A large number of them pertain to Hinduism. In these times of rising fanaticism, here is a Christian institution preserving Hindu manuscripts and sending out a great message."

Live streaming of UTC Valedictory dinner and service

The United Theological College Valedictory dinner and valedictory service for graduating students will be held on March 23 and 24, 2013. The valedictory programme and dinner on Saturday March 23 will begin at 6:30 P.M. Indian Standard Time. The Valedictory service and awarding of college diplomas for graduating students on Sunday March 24 will begin at 5:00 P.M IST. The programmes on both days will be shown live (live streaming) on the internet @ http://www.ustream.tv/channel/newsport  . We invite all alumni, associates, friends, churches and well wishers for the dinner and valedictory service in the UTC, Bangalore. Those of you who cannot join in person are invited to join us online and be part of these very important events.

Rt. Rev. Dr. John S. Sadananda, the Master of the Serampore College (University) and the bishop of the Karnataka Southern Diocese will be the chief speaker for the graduation day and Most Rev. Dr. G. Devakadasham, the president of the UTC Council and the moderator of the Church of South India will give away the diplomas.

Rev. Dr. Joseph Prabhakar Dayam

Rev. Dr. Joseph Prabhakar Dayam is an ordained Minister of AELC (Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church). He hails from Rajahmundry town of East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. He did his graduation in Rajahmundry town and later came for theological Studies at UTC, Bangalore. He did his doctoral studies in Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA.  He is married to Rev. Selina who is also an ordained pastor of AELC. He has two children Sophia and Ashish Nirmal. He is personally committed to the cause of equality and liberty of marginalized classes.

Engagements for Past One year

March 2012 Vice President address in Carey Society, United Theological College, Bangalore.

Edited one book: Margins in Conversation: Methodological discourse in Theological discipline

Wrote one article in the book published by BTESSC titled “Re-membering the memory towards a Theology of Justice, Peace and reconciliation,” Article titled “From the Perspective datil Theology of Cross”.

Book co-written with Dr. Peniel Rufus Jesudason and Deenabandhu Manchala titled “Mission at Margins”.

Paper Presentation in Faculty Research Seminar article: “Context(s) in Theology and Theology in Context”.

Presented a Paper at UTC Council, titled “God of Life: Lead us to Justice, Peace and compassion: Theological meditations in Fragments”.

Presented a Paper at World Council of Churches International Workshop on “Redemptive Masculinities” at UTC.

Took a session in BTESSC workshop organized for national level theological students.

Took a session last year in the NCCI-Preassembly of youth at SCM House, Bangalore titled “Justice, Peace and Ecology”.

Participated in SCMI Centenary celebrations at SCM House Bangalore.

Participated as observer in National Council of Churches in India held at St. Johns hospital, Bangalore.

He also works as resource person at Vichara, Sophia Centre, Old Seminary, Kottayam

Courses he teaches at UTC

At Graduate level

Christian Doctrines

Dalit Theology

At Post Graduate level

Modern trends in Theological Methodology

Christology

Jurgen Moltmann

His research interests

Liberation Christologies

Theologies of Cross

Religion of marginalized

Dalit Theology

Human Sexuality

 Posted by Mr. Prashanth Babu, BD III

Sr. Dr. Rani Joseph Mary Shruti

Personal Information:

Dr. Shruti Joseph, belongs to the congregation of the sisters of Notre Dame, Cosefeld, Germany. She was born and brought up in Delhi. Her father was from Mysore and her mother from Chennai.  She did all her missiological studies in Pontifical Urban University, Rome. She have four brothers and a sister. She is the fifth one among them. Both her father John Joseph and her mother Mary Joseph and one of her brothers Thomas Joseph are enjoying the heavenly bliss. All  her other brothers and sister are married. Her parents dedicated her to the Lord, and this is her Silver Jubilee year as a Religious Sister for which she remains grateful to God and all those who touched her life in this past twenty five years. Sister Shruti is teaching in the UTC in the department of Mission and Ecumenics.

Contributions:

1. She Attended an International Conference conducted in Dharmaram on a theme: Revisiting Vatican II, 50 years of Renewal (31^st Jan- 3^rd Feb 2013)

2. She is on the way to publish her complete thesis in a book form with the theme: The Role of Consecrated Women in the Missionary Activity of the Church. A Missiological Study in the Context of Bihar, North India.

3. One of her articles named “Discipleship in the Gītā and the New Testament” will be published in Journal of Christian Ministry (Masihi Sevak).

4. She is going to speak to the German Professors coming from Germany about her ministerial experience in various areas for example work among the tribal group in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, teaching experience in various Catholic Theological Seminaries, as a formator in her congregation and work among the Dalits of Bihar.

5. She will be part of the group of our Professors from UTC and the rector of St. Peters who will be giving a helping hand conducting the retreat for our MTh II year students in St. Peter’s Pontifical College, Bangalore.

Since she is new to United Theological College, Bangalore as a lecturer and comes from a Roman Catholic background as a Religious Sister she wanted to commit herself fully to learn things in a proper way, with a clear understanding of all the activities of the college. Because of that she did not take up any other activities outside the college. Her sincere gratitude goes to the principal, faculty colleagues and the students for their constant support for helping her in all the areas of her life in UTC.

Submitted by Mr. Shino Yesudhas

Dr. Rini Ralte

Curriculum Vitae

LALRINAWMI RALTE

Dr. Rini Ralte hails from Mizoram, she belongs to the Presbyterian Church of India, Mizoram Synod.

Dr. Ralte is an activist theologian who is deeply committed for the cause of women. She is actively engaged in social, political and religious issues particularly related to the poor and women. She often told us that, 'my commitment to my work and related work is beyond 24 hours' where she was ever ready for any assistance in relation to the life of children and women.

Professor & Chairperson

Women’s Studies Department

EARNED THEOLOGICAL DEGREES

2004                Doctor of Theology (D.Th) in the area of Theology from the Senate of Serampore College (University).  My Dissertation was on The Contributions to the Ecofeminist Debate in Theology From A Tribal Woman’s Perspective.

1993                Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) from the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Boston, USA.  Dissertation was on Crab Theology: A Feminist Critique of Cultural Degradation and Empowerment of Mizo Women

1989                Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) from the Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.  My Dissertation was on A Manual for Discovering the History, Spirituality and Theology of Women as a Liberating Force For Christian Churches in Mizoram.

1985                Bachelor of Theology (BD) from the United Theological College, Bangalore

1980                BA from Aizawl College, Aizawl, Mizoram.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

B.D. level

Since 1995 June, I taught 3 courses on Women’s Studies to the B.D. Level, such as

WS1  Introduction of Feminist Theology

WS2  Feminist Hermeneutics

WS3  Women in Religion and Society

M.Th level

WS2    Feminist Methodology and Biblical Hermeneutics

WS4    Women in Religious Traditions

WS5    Women in Church’s History and Ministry (Senate)

WS7    Women in Contemporary Society: Patriarchies, Caste and Class in Indian Society

WS8    Women, Economy and Ecology: Poverty and Development

Thesis - I had supervised 3 M.Th thesis.

EDITED BOOKS 

2004                Waging Peace: Building a World in which Life Matters.

Festschrift to Honour Gabriele Dietrich, Ed. Lalrinawmi Ralte and

Stella Faria, New Delhi: IWIT/ISPCK.

2002                Feminist Hermeneutics: On the Occasion of Silver Jubilee of the

Ordination of Women in the Church of South India (CSI), Ed.

Lalrinawmi Ralte and Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar,

New Delhi: IWIT/ISPCK.

1998                Women Re-Shaping Theology: Introducing Women’s Studies in the

Theological Education in India, Ed. Lalrinawmi Ralte, New Delhi:

UTC/ISPCK, 1998.

1998               Envisioning a New Heaven and a New Earth, Ed. Lalrinawmi Ralte, et.al.,New Delhi: NCCI/AICCW, 1998.

PUBLISHED ARTICLES

2008                “A Feminist Critique of Land Holding Patterns in Mizoram,” in Theologizing Tribal Heritage: A Critical Re-Look, Ed. Hrangthan Chhungi, CWM/ISET-ECC/PCI/ISPCK, 2008, 222-245.

2006                “Tribal Eco-Feminist Spirituality” in Breaking Silence: Theology for

 Asian Women, Ed. Chung Meehyun, New Delhi: EATWOT/ISPCK,

2006.

2006                Contributions of Vandana Shiva to Ecofeminism in India: A Tribal

                        Woman’s Response, Bangalore Theological Forum, Vol. XXXVIII,

                        No. 2, Dec. 2006.

2006                “The Reign of God on Earth” at the All India Sunday School Association,

 Hyderabad.

2005                “A Feminist Critique of Language” at The God of All Grace: Essays in

Honour of Origen Vasantha Jathanna, Edited by Joseph George,

Bangalore: UTC/ATC.

2002                “Cultural Hermeneutics” in Feminist Hermeneutics, Edited by

Lalrinawmi Ralte and Evangeline Anderson-Rajkumar, New Delhi:

IWIT/ISPCK.

2002                “A Feminine Aspect of the Mizo Traditional Religion”  in Review of

Asian and Pacific Studies, No. 24, 2002, pp. 117-126, (Tokyo).

2000                “Dance Theology”, in In God’s Image, Vol. 19.4, 2000, Kualalumpur:

Asian Women Resource Centre,  p. 35-38

2000                “Handful of Rice: Metaphor for Mizo Women’s Power” in In God’s

Image, Vol. 19.4, Kualalumpur: Asian Women Resource Centre, 2000.

1999                “Patriarchy and Christianity in the Mizo Church: A Feminist Perspectives”  Bangalore Theological Forum, Bangalore: The United Theological College,  Vol. XXXI, No. 1, 1999, p. 117-133.

1998                “Women’s Studies at UTC: Our Experience”  in Women Re-Shaping

Theology, New Delhi: UTC/ISPCK.

1998                “Discipleship of Equals” in Envisioning a New Heaven and a New Earth,

New Delhi: AICCW/NCCI.

1998                “Woman Oppressing Woman: Caste, Class, Race and Sex” in Envisioning

a New Heaven and a New Earth, Ed. Lalrinawmi Ralte et.al., New Delhi:

AICCW/ISPCK.

1994                Critique of Patriarchal Interpretation that reinforces the cultural

degradation of women, Bangalore Theological Forum.

Books published in Mizo

1994    Mizo Nula Huaisen Martarte (Mizo Young Women Martyrs), p. 119.

1997    Mi Hrat Khawkheng H.T. Sangliana, Series No. 1, p. 74.

1998    Mi Hrat Khawkheng H.T. Sangliana, Series No. 2, p. 69.

1999    Mi Hrat Khawkheng H.T. Sangliana, Series No. 3, p. 64.

2001    Hmatiang Sawnin, p. 410.

2004    Bible Women-te Nghilhlohnan (In Memory of Bible Women), p. 104.

2009    Upa Chalhnuna: Mizo Nun leh Kohhran,  410 page.

2010    Kawl Eng (Festschrift to honour R.L.Hnuni), 218 pages.

10. ECUMENICAL MEMBERSHIP        

1)  EATWOT  (Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians)

2)  CATS (Congress of Asian Theologians)

            3)  ATTWI (Association of Theologically Trained Women in India)

4) Member, Asian Movement of Christian Unity (AMCU  III). 

11.  LOCAL AND SOCIAL / VOLUNTARY  INVOLVEMENT

1985-87           General Secretary of Mizoram YWCA.

1990-92           Coordinator of Asian and Asian American Women doing Theology and

Ministry (AAAWTM), in the United States.

1996-               Secretary, WINA (Women’s Institute for New Awakening), Bangalore.

1996-               Coordinator, UDAYAKIRAN,  Women Theologizing Group of Bangalore.

1995-               Coordinator, Women of the Seven Sisters of Northeast India

2002-               Coordinator, Indian Women in Theology (IWIT)

2002-8             Editorial Advisory Committee of  “In God’s Image” published by Asian Women Resource Centre, Malaysia.

Hobbies:

Hobby in Sports - Badminton, Table tennis

Posted by Raja Baktha Singh, BD III

Dr. Joseph George

Dr. Joseph George is one of the distinguished professors in the Department of Christian Ministry teaching counseling in the United Theological College, Bangalore. He was born in Puthukkulam, near Chengara in Kerala. He is living in the UTC main campus with his wife Joyce Joseph and two children. The elder one is Sajeena Mary Joseph, who finished her MCA and is now teaching in an International school in Bangalore. The younger one is Sajo George Joseph doing his MA Economics at St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore. 

Dr. Joseph George joined the faculty panel of the United Theological College in June 1992. Before triggering his career in UTC, he was teaching in the Clark Theological College, Nagaland for ten years from 1982-1992. He secured his BA (Sociology), B Th (Allahabad), B.D from the UBS, Pune, M Th from the United Theological College, Bangalore and D Th from the Candler School of Theology, Emery University.

Besides teaching in UTC, Bangalore he trains people for counseling and is also practicing counseling in Bangalore. 

The time-line of Dr. Joseph George’s experiences in the last one year (2012-13):

Last one year he took classes in the Bangalore Baptist Hospital for the course DCPC (Diploma `for Clinical Pastoral Counseling). Besides, he was a visiting professor in the Clark Theological College, Nagaland. He served as one of the resource persons in the TAFTEE Bangalore. In the ecclesial circle also, he proved his excellence. He was the Passion Week speaker in the St. Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore which was scheduled on 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th April 2012.

For a ten days programme, in the month of November 2012 he was invited by the Karnataka Central Diocese as a trainer in Basic Skills in Counseling which was organized by the Women’s Department of the KCD. From December 9-19, 2012 he was invited by the Dharma Jyothi Seminary Vidya Peeth (Marthoma Seminary), Faridabad, Delhi to teach courses “Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling” and “Marriage and Family Counseling.” On the 26^th of January 2013, he was the guest speaker for the family retreat which was held at the Tambaram Marthoma Church, Chennai. Adding to this, he was the retreat speaker at the Kerala United Theological Seminary Trivandrum on February 13, 2013. 

His skills in counseling were recognized by various churches in Bangalore and he led the main sessions on a family seminar organized by the All Saints Church, Bangalore on February 17^th Sunday. On the 20^th and 27^th of February, he was the speaker for the Lenten meditations at the St. Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore on which he preached on the topics “Discipline of mind” (20^th Feb) and “Discipline of Speech” (27^th Feb). On the 27^th of February 2013, Dr. Joseph George presented a paper on “Changing Patterns of Relationships in the Cyberage: Challenges and Directions for Ministry in India” in UTC whose discussion was initiated by Rev. Fr. Jerry Kurian (Lecturer in the Dept. of Communication, UTC).

He also wrote his studies in “A Study Book on Counseling” edited by Rev .Dr. George Varghese which was published by the CSS Thiruvalla. His study occupies the major part of the book where he discusses on the topic “Marriage and Family Counseling.” His major publications in the past year include the articles “Preparing for Marriage” and “Developing Emotional Maturity” which was published in “Christian Family in Transition: Continuity and Discontinuity” edited by Rev. Dr. Koshy P. Varghese, published by Dharma Jyoti Vidya Peeth: Haryana on October 2012.

                                                                     Prepared by

                                                                  Rohan P, BD III

Rev. Dr. R. Sahayadhas

 The Rev. Dr. R. Sahayadas is an ordained minister in the Indian Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC), Vellore. He was born and brought up in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District in Tamil Nadu. He has received his secular degree in English Literature and Language, and after which he joined for his theological education in the United Theological College (UTC), Bangalore. After he completed his graduation in Theological education (BD), he joined his church and served the church as a pastor for 18 years; and then he joined for M.Th. and then D.Th. in UTC. Then, he joined as lecturer in the department of Theology and Ethics in UTC in June 2007. Now he is the Chairperson and associate professor of the department of Theology and Ethics in the same institution. 

His Activities for the Last One Year

For the past one year, since June 2012, he is very much actively involving in ecclesial activities, especially preaching and conducting worship services. Very recently he attended a Pedagogical seminar which was conducted in Kottayam in the month of December 2012, regarding the theme “Institute of Pedagogue”. He made insightful contributions to the same. 

 One of the areas in which he is trying to focus is to review the UTC curriculum and explore the review of pedagogical method. He proposes participatory pedagogical method rather than funnelling method. In the participatory method, exams should be conducted in such a way that students must be able to critically engage and express their ideas. Another proposal which he would like to make is that before beginning of the course, previous term, some assignments should be given to the students on particular themes, so that they can have some knowledge about the course which they are going to encounter.

Last year, in the UTC faculty research seminar he presented a paper on the theme “Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Conditions for a Mutually Responsive and Responsible Future”.  

Publications

Towards the end of the year 2011, he published an article on the title, “Bits: A Theological Response to Religious Fundamentalism”.

In the year 2012, he made a publication on the title, “Luther’s Understanding of Priesthood of All Believers in the Context of Indian Church”.

Now he is working on the publication of his D.Th. dissertation, “Hindu Nationalism and Indian Church: Towards and Ecclesiology in Critical Conversation with Martin Luther’s Thoughts on the Church”.

He is also working on a lecture based on the title “Differences in unity”.

Other papers he is working on are 1) “Demystifying Masculinity: A Critique of the Instrumentation of Religiosity Constructed Masculinity on Nationalist Discourse”, and 2) “Religions’ Tryst with Violence”

He is also working on his post-doctoral research on the title, “Religion Faces Interfaith in India: Contemporary Dilemmas and Challenges”. 

Other activities

He is not much involved in the other activities apart from ecclesia and academia. But, he says, he wants to reform the church from its present decay. He also wants to build a bridge between academia and ecclesia where both enrich each other. As an academician and a pastor, he attempts to stimulate spirituality both in academia and ecclesia. Ecclesia and academia should have some relationship in terms of spiritualty and theology. As a theologian, his concern is to find intersectional space where we can have interaction with various strands of theology and enrich and nourish each other.    

Hobbies

He spends lot of time for reading. Apart from this, he also has interest in gardening, listen to music, caring of pets, and watching debates on current issues on TV along with entertainment programmes.  

Prepared by: Shinemon P K, BD III