Update from the Vellore Link September 2021
Summer 2019
Visit to Vellore
As planned, the visit to Vellore happened in July and August 2019. Originally planned as a youth visit, we only had two participants under 30. We were able to provide a programme that included chances for these two to meet with young people from the Diocese of Vellore and share both faith and life experiences. We spent time in each part of the diocese, spending time in schools, institutions and with church fellowships. Three participants also joined the Church of South India international eco conference held in Chennai.
We were able to have one post-visit meeting together, in October.
Planning for the signing of the Covenant.
Some time in Vellore was spent in thinking about the visit of Bishop Sharma and Mrs Sophie to the UK for the Lambeth Conference in July 2020, and the pre-conference hospitality in Cambridgeshire. It was planned that the Covenant be renewed at this time, and that at least 2 people from the Diocese of Vellore join with the Bishop and his wife for this (with some hospitality in Cambridgeshire as outlined above).
Between September 2019 and early March work was going on to plan the programme for these events.
Visit of Rev Emmanuel and Mrs Nirmala
In early March 2020, Rev Emmanuel, a long standing friend of the Link, visited England with his wife, Mrs Nirmala, who is a senior nurse. Nirmala was a contributor at a medical conference, and they added some time to their visit to come to Cambridgeshire. During their time in Cambridgeshire they shared in a Communion service in Little Gidding and had lunch with the congregation there; visited Ely Cathedral; had two gathered meals at my house with various Vellore group supporters; and shared in 2 Sunday services.
Not long after their return to India, Rev Emmanuel was seriously ill in CMC with COVID 19 (he was in hospital for 47 days and expected to die). He has since made a recovery.
COVID 19 and the Diocese of Vellore
Along with other parts of India, Tamil Nadu, and the Diocese of Vellore have been seriously hit by COVID 19 and the wider effects of lockdown.
The first lockdown in India.
The government announced the first lockdown in India without any time for people to prepare. The majority of the people are daily wage earners, working in the towns or on the land. Their work ended and people had no money.
The Diocese of Vellore immediately organised the churches to provide both food supplies for the poorest people; medical supplies of basic PPE for the diocesan hospitals; masks and sanitizer for those nearby. The bishop urged the church to do this without worrying about their financial reserves.
We made a Youtube video of the Diocesan response, to be shared amongst churches in Cambridgeshire. This video is still available and is found by following the link https://youtu.be/lvg_5PzL69w
Bishop Sharma’s wife (a nurse at CMC) was hospitalised with COVID 19 at this time and has since recovered.
All institutions were closed down, including schools and hostels. The churches took responsibility for ensuring that hostel students were safe and their families had food, but no remote learning could happen for any of the students of diocesan schools, as they did not have the equipment or internet connections.
Since then, we have kept in touch with our partners, particularly with Bishop Sharma and with Jared, via Whatsapp and Zoom. Jared has been able to join us at a some Zoom conferences. There have been some international prayer events organised between the Churches of North and South India and partners in Europe, that we have been able to attend, and Bishop Sharma has also attended. We also organised a Christmas prayer time on Zoom with people from Cambridgeshire and Vellore.
Cyclone Nirvar
At the end of November 2020, many parts of the Diocese of Vellore were in the path of Cyclone Nirvar. The bishop sent many photographs of devastation, including in the Bishop’s compound. Fortunately, there was no loss of life within the area (although there was in other parts of India).
The Second Wave
On 19th April 2021, Bishop Sharma wrote ‘The second wave is horrible. Please pray for us.’ India was suddenly in the grip of what is now known as the Delta Variant.
In the height of this, 3 pastors and many lay leaders of the Diocese of Vellore died. Many others, including great friends of the link, were hospitalized. Churches were closed once more.
Going forward
‘Together End Hunger’ On 1st June, Bishop Sharma inaugurated a programme to bring hope to people. It is mainly aimed at bringing an end to the hunger crisis in the diocese. The following was reported on the Church of South India Facebook page recently:
Once Mahatma Gandhi said “There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread”. In other words, Gandhi is saying that if anyone feeds the hungry, the beneficiary sees the giver as God.
If that’s the truth, the burden to be Godly is even more higher on people of faith. More so on people of Christian faith because Jesus himself talked about serving the ‘least of these’ to serve God.
When pandemic hit the world in 2020, many people were unaware of the life’s struggles especially the vulnerable. Many had come forward to support the needy under the guidance of our dear bishop Rt. Rev. H. Sharma Nithiyanandham. C.S.I Vellore Diocese did their job from the beginning in 2020 but in July of 2021, their activities are as follows:
1. Continued with the “50 days of Together End Hunger” program and totally supplied 50,000 food packets
2. More than 3500 people in and around Vellore have benefitted through the Diocese’s vaccination drive conducted in various churches and institutions of Vellore Diocese.
3. Distribution of dry rations and vegetables to the economically weak community.
4. CSI SEVA along with Vellore Diocese trains the youth with job oriented skills. In this month, 12 youngsters have completed driver's training and obtained commercial driving license.
5. A donor – Mr. Cornelius Diwakar had donated medical equipment worth of Rs. 22 lakhs to serve the needy through Scudder Memorial Hospital, Ranipet.
Its another month in a year and our journey continues for the least among us.
Death of Bishop Trinity Baskeran
Bishop Trinity Baskeran was the first Bishop to be involved with the link (although the initial discussions were with his predecessor). He came to Cambridgeshire in 1994 and for the pre-Lambeth Conference time in 1998. Bishop Trinity died on 17th July 2021, and his funeral was on the following day. Bishop Trinity’s wife and elder son had both pre-deceased him. Please pray for his remaining son, Christopher, and family.
Into 2022
Bishop Stephen was due to visit Vellore in Jan 2021. This was postponed until Jan 2022. However, with continued uncertainty about the path of COVID 19 either here or in India, this has reluctantly been postponed once again.
However, given the trauma that the Diocese has endured, it would be really good if one or two people could make a short visit of prayer and encouragement, either in Jan 2022 or as soon thereafter as was deemed safe. I would fully intend to be part of such a visit that should, in no way, put unnecessary pressure on our partners but will be received with joy.
The Lambeth Conference will go ahead in July 2022. However, it is not yet decided if this will be wholly in person, hybrid, or wholly online. Once a decision is taken on this (due in September 2021), we can revive our plans for the visit in July and renewal of the covenant – or decide to renew the Covenant with an online service.
In the past 18 months, the mutual friendship and support between the churches in Cambridgeshire and the Diocese of Vellore has been invaluable.
Bishop Sharma is really anxious that we continue and build upon this link.
I reiterate the words I made at the end of my 2018-2019 report:
To continue to do this work on behalf of the churches of the Cambridgeshire Ecumenical Council (C of E, Methodist, URC, Baptist, Salvation Army, Society of Friends, Roman Catholic), the Link Support group relies on regular funding from the constituent denominations.
Fiona Brampton
Vellore Link Co-ordinator, Cambridgeshire
This report shows the very difficult situation of the Vellore Diocese and the attempts of its members to show the love of Christ to their communities. This deserves a very positive response from the Cambridgeshire side of the Link in concern, prayer and support. Whilst we are all finding our own way out of the Covid crisis, our sisters and brothers in India are also doing that but under far more trying circumstances. Please make sure the members of your churches receive this report and request for supportive prayer and encourage action upon it.
Paul Hills, Chair-Vellore Link Group
Summer 2019
Visit to Vellore
As planned, the visit to Vellore happened in July and August 2019. Originally planned as a youth visit, we only had two participants under 30. We were able to provide a programme that included chances for these two to meet with young people from the Diocese of Vellore and share both faith and life experiences. We spent time in each part of the diocese, spending time in schools, institutions and with church fellowships. Three participants also joined the Church of South India international eco conference held in Chennai.
We were able to have one post-visit meeting together, in October.
Planning for the signing of the Covenant.
Some time in Vellore was spent in thinking about the visit of Bishop Sharma and Mrs Sophie to the UK for the Lambeth Conference in July 2020, and the pre-conference hospitality in Cambridgeshire. It was planned that the Covenant be renewed at this time, and that at least 2 people from the Diocese of Vellore join with the Bishop and his wife for this (with some hospitality in Cambridgeshire as outlined above).
Between September 2019 and early March work was going on to plan the programme for these events.
Visit of Rev Emmanuel and Mrs Nirmala
In early March 2020, Rev Emmanuel, a long standing friend of the Link, visited England with his wife, Mrs Nirmala, who is a senior nurse. Nirmala was a contributor at a medical conference, and they added some time to their visit to come to Cambridgeshire. During their time in Cambridgeshire they shared in a Communion service in Little Gidding and had lunch with the congregation there; visited Ely Cathedral; had two gathered meals at my house with various Vellore group supporters; and shared in 2 Sunday services.
Not long after their return to India, Rev Emmanuel was seriously ill in CMC with COVID 19 (he was in hospital for 47 days and expected to die). He has since made a recovery.
COVID 19 and the Diocese of Vellore
Along with other parts of India, Tamil Nadu, and the Diocese of Vellore have been seriously hit by COVID 19 and the wider effects of lockdown.
The first lockdown in India.
The government announced the first lockdown in India without any time for people to prepare. The majority of the people are daily wage earners, working in the towns or on the land. Their work ended and people had no money.
The Diocese of Vellore immediately organised the churches to provide both food supplies for the poorest people; medical supplies of basic PPE for the diocesan hospitals; masks and sanitizer for those nearby. The bishop urged the church to do this without worrying about their financial reserves.
We made a Youtube video of the Diocesan response, to be shared amongst churches in Cambridgeshire. This video is still available and is found by following the link https://youtu.be/lvg_5PzL69w
Bishop Sharma’s wife (a nurse at CMC) was hospitalised with COVID 19 at this time and has since recovered.
All institutions were closed down, including schools and hostels. The churches took responsibility for ensuring that hostel students were safe and their families had food, but no remote learning could happen for any of the students of diocesan schools, as they did not have the equipment or internet connections.
Since then, we have kept in touch with our partners, particularly with Bishop Sharma and with Jared, via Whatsapp and Zoom. Jared has been able to join us at a some Zoom conferences. There have been some international prayer events organised between the Churches of North and South India and partners in Europe, that we have been able to attend, and Bishop Sharma has also attended. We also organised a Christmas prayer time on Zoom with people from Cambridgeshire and Vellore.
Cyclone Nirvar
At the end of November 2020, many parts of the Diocese of Vellore were in the path of Cyclone Nirvar. The bishop sent many photographs of devastation, including in the Bishop’s compound. Fortunately, there was no loss of life within the area (although there was in other parts of India).
The Second Wave
On 19th April 2021, Bishop Sharma wrote ‘The second wave is horrible. Please pray for us.’ India was suddenly in the grip of what is now known as the Delta Variant.
In the height of this, 3 pastors and many lay leaders of the Diocese of Vellore died. Many others, including great friends of the link, were hospitalized. Churches were closed once more.
Going forward
‘Together End Hunger’ On 1st June, Bishop Sharma inaugurated a programme to bring hope to people. It is mainly aimed at bringing an end to the hunger crisis in the diocese. The following was reported on the Church of South India Facebook page recently:
Once Mahatma Gandhi said “There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread”. In other words, Gandhi is saying that if anyone feeds the hungry, the beneficiary sees the giver as God.
If that’s the truth, the burden to be Godly is even more higher on people of faith. More so on people of Christian faith because Jesus himself talked about serving the ‘least of these’ to serve God.
When pandemic hit the world in 2020, many people were unaware of the life’s struggles especially the vulnerable. Many had come forward to support the needy under the guidance of our dear bishop Rt. Rev. H. Sharma Nithiyanandham. C.S.I Vellore Diocese did their job from the beginning in 2020 but in July of 2021, their activities are as follows:
1. Continued with the “50 days of Together End Hunger” program and totally supplied 50,000 food packets
2. More than 3500 people in and around Vellore have benefitted through the Diocese’s vaccination drive conducted in various churches and institutions of Vellore Diocese.
3. Distribution of dry rations and vegetables to the economically weak community.
4. CSI SEVA along with Vellore Diocese trains the youth with job oriented skills. In this month, 12 youngsters have completed driver's training and obtained commercial driving license.
5. A donor – Mr. Cornelius Diwakar had donated medical equipment worth of Rs. 22 lakhs to serve the needy through Scudder Memorial Hospital, Ranipet.
Its another month in a year and our journey continues for the least among us.
Death of Bishop Trinity Baskeran
Bishop Trinity Baskeran was the first Bishop to be involved with the link (although the initial discussions were with his predecessor). He came to Cambridgeshire in 1994 and for the pre-Lambeth Conference time in 1998. Bishop Trinity died on 17th July 2021, and his funeral was on the following day. Bishop Trinity’s wife and elder son had both pre-deceased him. Please pray for his remaining son, Christopher, and family.
Into 2022
Bishop Stephen was due to visit Vellore in Jan 2021. This was postponed until Jan 2022. However, with continued uncertainty about the path of COVID 19 either here or in India, this has reluctantly been postponed once again.
However, given the trauma that the Diocese has endured, it would be really good if one or two people could make a short visit of prayer and encouragement, either in Jan 2022 or as soon thereafter as was deemed safe. I would fully intend to be part of such a visit that should, in no way, put unnecessary pressure on our partners but will be received with joy.
The Lambeth Conference will go ahead in July 2022. However, it is not yet decided if this will be wholly in person, hybrid, or wholly online. Once a decision is taken on this (due in September 2021), we can revive our plans for the visit in July and renewal of the covenant – or decide to renew the Covenant with an online service.
In the past 18 months, the mutual friendship and support between the churches in Cambridgeshire and the Diocese of Vellore has been invaluable.
Bishop Sharma is really anxious that we continue and build upon this link.
I reiterate the words I made at the end of my 2018-2019 report:
To continue to do this work on behalf of the churches of the Cambridgeshire Ecumenical Council (C of E, Methodist, URC, Baptist, Salvation Army, Society of Friends, Roman Catholic), the Link Support group relies on regular funding from the constituent denominations.
Fiona Brampton
Vellore Link Co-ordinator, Cambridgeshire
This report shows the very difficult situation of the Vellore Diocese and the attempts of its members to show the love of Christ to their communities. This deserves a very positive response from the Cambridgeshire side of the Link in concern, prayer and support. Whilst we are all finding our own way out of the Covid crisis, our sisters and brothers in India are also doing that but under far more trying circumstances. Please make sure the members of your churches receive this report and request for supportive prayer and encourage action upon it.
Paul Hills, Chair-Vellore Link Group