With the onset of festive season, many organisations, churches, institutes etc. have been organising advent Christmas programmes.
Naga Diaspora, NCR Delhi: Naga Diaspora of NCR Delhi celebrated advent Christmas under the theme “home is when we are together” at Nagaland House, 29 APJ Abdul Kalam Road. The event was organised by Naga Forum Delhi along with various community Churches and fellowships of Nagas in Delhi.
A release by the organisers, delivering his message based on Psalm 95: 6, “Come Let us bow down in worship, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker”, Senior Pastor of Tangkhul Church Delhi, Rev. Dr. Mathanmi Zimik, said Nagas today should learn to humble and surrender themselves to the Lord, love their own brothers and sisters.
He also advised that more than anything, Nagas need humility of Christ that touches the most wounded and the hurt.
In his welcome address, Naga Forum Delhi, president, Neiphiu Rio wished the congregation that the season of love would bring them a better time.
He emphasised that the need of the hour for Nagas was to reconcile and begin building trust and hope amongst “ourselves”.
Stating that nothing works better than being united, Rio urged the congregation to ponder on the theme of the day.
Leading the congregation, director of Ministry for Development of Northeast Region (DONER), Mercy Epao, said that the gathered must come to the Lord in submission and in love.
Earlier, the fellowship saw Chakhesang Christian fellowship and Poumai Baptist Church Delhi presenting Christmas songs, while Tangkhul Church Delhi led the carol for the occasion. Eastern Nagaland Students Union (DENSU) ushered the congregation and decorated the stage. More than 350 Nagas attended the fellowship.
SON: Special Olympics Nagaland (SON) celebrated its 7th Special Christmas for differently-abled persons on December 9 at C-Edge College, Dimapur.
Message of Christmas love was shared by administrator of Highland School, Dimapur Nino Phira and prayer by Pastor of Naga United Ao Baptist Church, Dimapur, Pastor Sadem Lemtor. Dances, songs, choreographies and testimonies were also presented by differently-abled persons from Nagaland Blind School, former Students of Deaf Biblical Ministry, Sliver Lines Academy, St. Mary Montessori Special Class and Prodigal’s Home.
Jalukie: 131 differently-abled persons of Jalukie area from 31 villages assembled for a pre-Christmas “celebration of life with differently able persons 2017” on December 9 at Town Baptist Church, Jalukie. The staff of People in Need Foundation (PNF), a partner of Jan Vikas Samiti Banaras, (JVS) for Jalukie area CBR project spent four days reaching out to the villages and inviting them.
According to a press statement by PNF chairman, Joe Ngamkhuchung, speaking at the programme, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Peren, Smita Sarangi encouraged parents not to feel ashamed of their differently-abled children as they need to grow in public and play their roles in the society.
She appreciated the organisers for the celebration and extended her support of the NGO plan for a District Disability Centre at Jalukie and fervently appealed for public support as well.
Earlier, a visually impaired boy sang a Gospel song; a special girl read an appreciative address and another offered vote of thanks. Cultural dance troupes and church choir also presented special numbers.
Meanwhile, PVSM, SC, VSM (retired) Air Marshall Sumit Mukerji attended the programme as chief guest along with brigadiers, retired colonels and families. President of All India anti-corruption group, Pradip Patil Khnadapukar and secretary, Sharad Singh Thakur, Florine Iheilung attended the function. Over 300 people attended the programme.
CAN: Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) organised it first ever leaders’ animation-cum-pre-Christmas get-together at Christ King Church, Kohima village December 9.
Speaking in the first session, Bishop Thomas reiterated the importance of living the traditional tribal values and said that everyone needs to identify one’s uniqueness in silence.
He stressed on the significance of realising the values of goodness, honesty, kindness, hospitality, truthfulness and many other qualities our forefathers had sowed.
Bishop Thomas challenged leaders of the Church to get rooted in the words of the Bible and to live a life of practicing faith. He opined that the greatness of a Christian community does not consist of its material achievements, but the quality of its spiritual pursuit and concluded the discourse.
Meanwhile, second session of the programme highlighted the pre-Christmas programme which was chaired by Zeneikho Benedict. In his message, Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, exhorted the gathering to take the event as an example to launch an annual feature of the Diocese and called upon the gathering to allow space for the good values in life.
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Rev. Fr. Peter Salwe, vote of thanks by general secretary, CAN Er. Mhaseto Lancelot Nakro and assistant Priest, SFS church, Rev. Fr. Peter Pithungo pronounced benediction. First CAN president, Rocus R. Chasie and advisor to CAN moderated the first session and SDB, Archbishop Emeritus Archdiocese of Guwahati, Most Rev. Thomas Menamparampil animated the leaders under the theme “hope for the future”. Carol Choir from ACYA of Christ King Church, SFS church and Cathedral church also presented songs as well as performances from various groups.
VGH, Kohima: Vivienda Girls’ Hostel, Lower Chandmari, Kohima celebrated advent Christmas with NVCO president, Adv. Kezhokhoto Savi as speaker on December 9. The Christmas carol was led by hostel warden, Emilo Kikon.
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