By Rev. Judy Chan, Treasurer for WACC Asia

“Asia Communication Sunday” was successfully celebrated on 21 June with observances around the region on the theme: “Communication is peace: Taking sides to build viable communities.” The biggest event took place at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College in Chennai, India with a full slate of activities for  the “Asia Communication Week”, June 21-27 . Gurukul faculty and students conducted creative worship services and morning devotions at the College along with multi-media community outreach programmes and student competitions (see article below for more details).

The WACC-Asia Executive Committee expresses its deep appreciation to all those who supported this important occasion. It was a special opportunity to promote the work of WACC and to strengthen its diverse network of church bodies, organizations and media groups in the Asia region.

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Gurukul Lutheran Theological College celebrates Communication Sunday

Chennai, India: The Gurukul Lutheran Theological College observed the Asia Communication Sunday and continued the celebration till June 27, making it a week long celebration. The doctoral and postgraduate students of the Department of Communication initiated and organised several programmes under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Samuel W. Meshack, the Principal of the College and the Head of the Department of Communication, who is also the Regional Chair for WACC- Asia.

The week long programme was inaugurated during a special service conducted by Dr. Meshack. Taking the Scripture text from the second chapter of the Gospel of John, he quoted the two incidences of the Wedding at Cana and the cleansing of the Jerusalem temple. Seeing these as reflections of the two sides of Peace, Dr. Meshack challenged the worshipers to take sides as communicators of peace. The Morning Devotions from Monday to Friday were conducted by the Doctoral and postgraduate of Theology (D.Th. and M.Th.) students of the Communication Department. Creative forms of worship and inspiring messages based on the WACC-Christian Principles of Communication were conducted highlighting how these principles can bring about peace and help in creating viable communities. (Monday – Communication is Participatory, Tuesday – Communication is Prophetic, Wednesday – Communication creates Community, Thursday – Communication Supports and Develops Cultures, and Friday – Communication Liberates).

Two community programmes were also organised. On Wednesday, June 24, there was screening of the film “Tare Zameen Par” which depicted the careful and diligent helping hand needed in enabling a dyslexic child to overcome his difficulties and face the challenges of life. This was screened to create awareness among the audience on taking sides with the weaker sections of the society. On Friday, June 26, students from different parts of India (North East India, North India, Tamilnadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh) participated in a cultural evening, presenting the pluralistic culture of India through folk dances and songs. This programme expressed the cultural diversities of the students and emphasized establishing communities of peace.

The celebration culminated with painting and speech competitions in which students from seventeen schools from Chennai participated. The competition allowed young minds to present their challenging and thought-provoking perspective and vision for a peaceful world. There were 57 children for the art competition and 11 children for speech competition.

The  Week ended with a brief function, chaired by the Rev. Dr. Suneel Bhanu, President, Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church. He emphasized the need for peace in order to create a better world and the important role children have to play as communicators of peace. Rev. Dr. P Manoharan, Director, Gurukul Lutheran Theological College distributed mementoes to the winners and the students of the Communication Department. Dr. Meshack congratulated the guests, students of the participating schools, and students of the Department of Communication, reiterating the role of communication in establishing peaceful communities and the need for taking sides with the poor and the marginalised people. He also expressed his gratitude on behalf of WACC-Asia to all participants for making the Week a successful and memorable event.

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