SOUTH ASIAN CHRISTIAN YOUTH NETWORK
“Called for Peace”; 1st South Asian Youth Conference, Colombo 2002
“Gospel and Globalisation”; 2nd South Asian Youth Conference, Bangalore 2005

“The people walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.”
Jesus Christ is the light of the World. And God sent the Light to this world and we seen His glory, as the glory of God’s only Son. God, for our salvation, sent his only son to this world, so that we may get saved.

CHRISTMAS…
like a candle gives your heart a special glow
Merry Christmas

SA Core Group Meeting:
The South Asian (SA) Christian Youth Network has organized its Core Group Meeting proposed to be on 5 – 9 March 2007, most likely to be in Nepal. The core members from the member churches will attend the meeting. In the meeting the members will discuss and plan out for next South Asia Youth Conference, as well as development of the network, website development and small groups etc.

SA Network Website:
As we announced in our last newsletter that our network has launched its website, which is: www.southasiayouth.org . You may visit our website and get more information about our network. The youth members, who attended one or both of our South Asia Youth Conferences can join our “Discussion Forum” and “Became an Affiliate” on our website. For more information regarding our website, you may contact us.

Cell/Interest Groups:
In our last two newsletters, we mentioned about small cell/interest groups, which we formed according to the area of interest of our members. And we have put details of 6 cell groups in our last two newsletters. Here, we are mentioning the names of our members in 3 more groups. If any other youth member, who attended one of our Youth Conferences, wants to join these groups they may contact us.
7. Evangelism:
From Nepal: Anda Thapa, Rabin Tamang, Tul Bahadur Ale, Ashok Thapa Magar;
From India: Veena Mohan, Ganta Suhasini, Amos Massey;
From Pakistan: Beenish Yad and Sarah Henry.
8. Missiology:
Swoby Mathew (India), Rabin Tamang (Nepal), Mike North (UK), Jonny Baker (UK).
9. Theological Reflection:
From India: Allan Samuel, Marshal Philip, R. Christopher Rajkumar, Swoby Mathew;
From Nepal: Rabin Tamang, Bijaya Kumar Pariyar;
From Pakistan: Nazish Naseem, Beenish Yad; From UK: Mike North

News from Church of South India (CSI)
Youth Life: Tamilnadu Regional Youth Conference 2006 was hosted by Trichy -Thanjavur Diocese at TASOSS Retreat Centre, Trichy between 10th –12th November 2006, it was a splendid moments to the most of the young people coming from various dioceses in Tamil Nadu. The programme was inaugurated by the Rt Rev Dr James Srinivasan, Bishop in Trichy Tanjavur Diocese, who also expounded the theme address “Lord, in Your Grace Transform the World”. Ms Prasanna classical dance for the inaugural session was very much delighted and appreciated by the participants. Apart from singing and bible studies, there were very important sessions on various topics, such as the theological, cultural, societal perspectives and session on HIV/AIDS awareness. The resource persons were Rev Abraham Premchand, Director, Synod Youth Department, Rev Arthur Jayapaul, Rev Daniel Vincent, Mr Relton, etc. The local presbyters Rev Augustine, Rev Chandra Mohan and Rev Shekar led the singing along with the Mr Paul Stephen’s Music team. The youth coming from different diocese with unique talents participated very enthusiastically in the cultural night under the mastering of Ms Nalini, all of them exhibited their talents and it was a time of light movements of having joy and fun. On 11th the participants were taken to the Mukambu, a dam on the Kaveri River and explained them the importance of water and ecology. In Tamilnadu the Sandya session is a distinctive at the dusk time in inviting the young people to rededicate themselves to the values, which are rooted in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All the diocesan Directors along with their respective diocesan delegates attended four local churches and presented a song, skit and were given time to preach in the churches by the youth Directors. It is the Rev John Milton, the Tamilnadu Regional Secretary who made previous visits to the Center in Trichy for the smooth run of the conference. It is worth to mention the conference coordinator and youth director Rev Dharma Raj and Mr. Arasa Kumar, Youth Secretary, Trichy -Thanjavur Diocese, who made all the efforts in organizing and also found sponsors in providing the seventy participants with a shoulder bag. Above all, it is the constant support and encouragement of the officers of the Synod and the Youth Department Chairman, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Govada Dyvasirvadam in conducting this programme. It is also the support of Trichy- Thanjavur Diocesan office bearers in the success of this programme. At the end of the programme the delegates departed with heavy hearts as they were leaving new friends. On behalf of the CSI Synod Youth Department, I wish you all the young people a blessed and a meaningful Christmas! (Rev. A. Premchand, Director, Youth Department, CSI Synod)
Note: The CSI Diocese of Madhya Kerala has its own website, which is: www.csimkdyouthmovement.org

News from Nepal:
Youth Leaders Conference: The Conference was organized by Central regional Youth Leaders of Nepal in partnership with CMS, on October 5-7, 2006. There were almost 225 youth leaders from various parts and churches from central region. The theme of the conference was “Christian Youth as His Ambassador for Peace”. We invited many well known youth speakers from different parts of the country from various denominations and the blessings of our Lord was showering upon us. During the conference, we also elected the new committee for central region. We are thankful to all of you for praying for us and especially for this conference, it happened because of your prayers.
We had five regional youth conferences in different parts of Nepal at the time of Dewali Festival.
I hope you are Praying for our country as well. The Peace talk with Maoist and the seven major political parties was going on and we can hope that it will help to establish peace in the country. (by Suroj Shakya, our Core member from Nepal)

SA Solidarity Sunday:
As we mentioned in our previous newsletters, about the Peace Connection, which was an initiative of the NYF-CoP and swiftly responded by the CNI youth department and later responded by our Sri Lankan friends. The youth leaders suggested to observe 10th December, as the “South Asia Solidarity Sunday”, with the theme “Living together in the Light of Hope”. The Sunday was observed by some of the churches in South Asia, a worship order was also prepared by Rev. Vinod Victor (SAEEP, Coordinator). 

From Devashrie:
I ask you to remember in your prayers the millions of people in South Asia who have been victims of War, impunity, hunger, poverty, injustice etc., also remember the scores of people killed and displaced by natural calamities like Tsunami/Earthquake and at least the number of incidents that have and keep South Asian lives suppressed.
(by Devashrie, our core member from Sri Lanka)

From Bangladesh:
The 10th December is also a very special day for Bangladesh as for the first time a Bangladeshi received Noble Prize (Peace) on that day. A part from that we had a special thanksgiving service for harvest and a fellowship with the youth and their parents.
As we have already mentioned that our youth is conducting a survey in our deanery.
On 8th December 2006, we had a Youth Seminar in our church, to have Christmas celebrations. We are going through a troubled political situation, but thanks God it is getting better now. (by Fr. Martin, from Bangladesh)

News from the Church of North India (CNI)
CNI Youth Festival 2006: The Synodical Youth Fellowship Committee of Church of North India is organizing a Youth Festival named “Lakshya” (the Goal) to be held at St. Thomas Schools, Kidderpore, Kolkata from 13th to 17th December 2006 brining together about 1000 people from all the 26 dioceses of Church of North India. It would also welcome youth delegates from the neighbouring churches, both mainline and denominational to foster ecumenism in South Asian context.

CNI Re-commits in being United in Witness and Service: As the CNI celebrated its 36 years of formation, the different Dioceses, congregations, institutions and organizations of CNI celebrated with vigor the essence of CNI, of being in unity as a form of expression and as an act both in witness and service.

After ten years of its launch, the official website of the Church of North India Synod www.cnisynod.org was re-launched during the celebration of its 36th anniversary in the CNI synod Headquarters.
The fourth batch of web designing course is planned to be organized during 20 Jan. to 5 Feb. at CNI CHPD, Nagpur to educate, youth from dioceses, on Information Technology.

Annual Youth Festival of Jabalpur Diocese Honors Retired Pastors: The Annual Youth Festival of Jabalpur Diocese organized at Suman Niketan, Pendra Road, Chhatishgarh from 23 to 25 October 2006 created history and left a legacy of its kind when, in a noble gesture, the young people of the Diocese honored their retired pastors by presenting them with gifts. (by Kasta Dip, Coordinator, Youth Concern, CNI)

NYF-CoP: As the National Youth Forum – Church of Pakistan (NYF-CoP) is now at the stage of starting its new session. The nominations of four members from each diocese of CoP are being completed. We are organizing a meeting in January 2007, in which one member would be invited, from each of the diocese, to do planning for the new session and any change in the structure.
In February 2007, we shall hold a consultation to make Strategic Plans for NYF, with association of the DOER Trust (Training and support agency).
Mr. Eric Attique successfully completed his tenure, as Coordinator NYF. We are so thankful to him for his efforts for the promotion of NYF. Mr. Eric Attique is no more the coordinator NYF, as he went abroad for a new assignment. We shall inform soon regarding the new contact person of NYF. (by Insar Gohar, Advisor NYF)

More News from CoP:
Youth Exposure Visit to Earthquake affected areas: It’s now more than one year passed, when a horrible Earthquake hit the Northern areas of Pakistan, India on 8th October 2005. A lot of relief projects were started by the governments, NGOs and church organizations as well, after the massive destruction in those areas. The Diocese of Peshawar (DoP) has also started a number of relief projects in areas under its jurisdiction. The diocese adopted 5 villages in Patika (Balakot) for relief work.
The Youth of Peshawar Diocese made a plan to visit those villages of Patika and have an exposure of the relief projects there. The team of 8 young people along with the Youth Coordinator visited Patika on 9th & 10th November 2006. They saw different projects, like Water Supply project, providing cows & buffalos to villagers, micro credit scheme for establishing small business, providing tractors, sewing centre, school and basic health unit. The youth also have a meeting with the Community Based Organization (CBO).
The youth team spent its most of the time in the diocesan established, New Light School, where they conducted some recreational activities for the children of the school. After conducting the activities, the youth gave away gifts and prizes to the children. The children of the school also presented dramas, skits and praise songs etc.
(by Waqas Gill, Secretary, Diocesan Youth Council, DoP)

Youth Programmes in the Hyderabad Diocese, CoP:
1.SELF Follow-up Programme: On the invitation from NYF for SELF Program at Murree in June, the Hyderabad Diocese sent Mr. Munawar and Ms. Subrina. On 4th August 2006, the Youth Desk organized SELF Follow-up programme at Rawat Memorial Church Mirpurkhas. A session was conducted on “Current Issues”, Munawar and Subrina shared what they learnt from SELF.
2.Youth Desk of Hyderabad Diocese organized programmes at following parishes on different dates, the youth members gave short reports about what they are doing. In the programmes, the new youth plans were also setup, like Bible Study Program, Awareness Seminars, Youth Sundays, Sports Days, Youth Conventions, contribution for helping needy etc. and it resolved to implement the plans in all the parishes of the Diocese.
St. Thomas’ Cathedral, Hyderabad, on 26th May 2006, St. Paul’s Church, Tando Allah Yar, on 7th July 2006, Agape Church, Rohri Sukkar, on 8th August 2006.
(by Rev. George Gulzar, Youth Coordinator, Hyderabad Diocese)

From Bhutan:
In the month of December, I am planning to meet with some Bhutanese youth and consult with them that how could we help those youth, who are addicted by drugs. So please pray so that we could come with some good ideas.(Richard Suberi, core member from Bhutan)