Wesley TamilOsai

Voice of the First Native Wesleyan Church in Greater Hyderabad

VOLUME 8 – EDITION 2 APR - JUN 2024

Town DCC Women’s Fellowship Meet

CSI Wesley Church, Musheerabad

January 20, 2024
 Table of Contents

v From the Pastor’s Desk

v KOINONIA and Our Risen Lord

v Dr Ivy Arthur: A Faithful Wesleyan,

Centenarian Servant of God

v Need for Value Education in Schools

v Women in the Bible 7 – Deborah

v Appreciating God’s Creation

v Caring for God’s Creation

v Earth-Care Prayers

v Understanding CSI Order of Service

v A Prayer for the Precious Gift of Water

v International Widow’s Day

Greetings in the matchless name of our LORD who has made us and the
universe, the One who feeds us, clothes us and shelters us and guides us!

Dearly beloved in Christ, as Church we observed Easter Day, Ascension Day,

and Pentecost Day when the Holy Spirit was poured out. As members of the
world community we are called to observe March 22nd as World Water
Day, April 22nd as Earth Day, May 22nd as Biodiversity Day and June
5th as World Environment Day. In line with these International Days, it is
heartening that the Church of South India observes June 9, 2024 as
Environment Sunday. The theme given for our reflection on that day is:
“Creation Reveals the Glory of God”.

We are now experiencing the impact of global warming in our day to day life.
The rising temperature is no doubt due to harmful and anti-nature human
activities. As a result there has been an increase in the problems we face and
the occurrence of natural calamities.

In Psalm 24:1-2 we read, “The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it … he
established it on the rivers.” Today, due to human activities the earth
undergoes serious changes and the mountains are moving.

The deer longs for running stream; but the streams having dried up, look like
desert streams here and there. As the Psalmist says, “Clear me from hidden
faults” (Psalm 19:12), let us think deeply about environmental degradation
and become proactive in protecting nature.

I conclude wishing Wesley Tamil Osai to voice not only the concerns of people
but also that of other living beings. May the LORD of the Earth bless this
magazine and our Congregation!

In God’s Service,
Rev. M. Jeeva

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /02 Apr - Jun 2024

 KOINONIA and Our Risen Lord

The word Koinonia usually translated as 'fellowship’ is presently very

common in Christian vocabulary. It is a transliteration from the original
Greek word. The earliest occurrence of the word can be traced to Acts Ch. 2, v.
42. Some scholars also seek to semantically trace the content of “fellowship”
from Matt. 22:39 where the second Great Commandment of our Lord finds
place. It means that the whole dynamics of Christian fellowship is simply not
between just two individuals but of an entire community of Faith.

Semantically speaking “fellowship” means “participation“. What are the

parameters of this participation? This is very challengingly presented in John
20: 17&18 where our Risen Lord throws up a new model of relationship. On
an earlier occasion (John 15:15), our Lord says to the disciples, “I do not call
you servants any longer … but now I call you friends”. Our Risen Lord raises
the disciples to a new level of participation when he mandates through Mary,
that they are his brothers. This domain of a new level of participation also
demonstrates the need for the greatest confession of Faith in the Risen Lord.
It demonstrates that His Ascension means, God is His Father and our Father.
He is His God and our God. How far we have realized this spiritual truth is
what we should be concerned about.

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /03 Apr - Jun 2024

How do we communicate this message and how has the Church been carrying
this testimony is the business of the Kingdom of God. One is reminded of the
German theologian Moltmann's assertion that we are not just the objects of
the love of God but we are the Subjects of the Kingdom of God. To translate it
in Indian terms, we are not parts of any divine beings’ performance of their
own “leelas”. But we are indeed the Participants in the consummation of the
Kingdom and there is no consummation of the Kingdom without the Cross.
Carrying the Cross daily (Matt. 16: 24) is the KOINONIA of our calling. And
‘calling’ in Christian sense is, God making use of us and not, we making use of
God.

Philip K. Mulley
(Rev. Philip K. Mulley is a retired Presbyter of CSI Coimbatore Diocese,
now settled down in Kotagiri, Nilgiris)

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /04 Apr - Jun 2024

 Dr Ivy Arthur
A Faithful Wesleyan, Centenarian Servant of God

Sam the horse killed the Collector of Chennapattinam

– Mr. Devanesan Muthu, the newly appointed Collector, had a fatal accident
during his constitutional horse ride. He is survived by his wife and an infant
son.

Those were the headlines. Arthur was given for adoption by his invalid
mother, to his great-aunt; who, on her husband’s death, was forced to give
him to an orphanage. Rev. Todd, a missionary, adopted him and, after
graduation, sent him to Secunderbad through his friend, Rev. Shipham, who
made him a staff member at Wesley Boy’s High School. That was the time
Arthur was enamoured of the famous Rev. John Wesley, Anglican-Methodist
preaching. Rev. John’s prayer was his favorite, ‘I am no longer my own, but
yours. Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.’

While working in the Wesleyan mission, Arthur received ordination. Rev. M.

Arthur was Superintendent and Presbyter-in-charge of 7 sub churches, as well
as Tamil and Telugu pastorates of Wesley Church, Secunderabad from 1944 to
1954, and later only Tamil pastorate from 1955 onwards. Married to Rani,
they had six children, four girls and two sons. The eldest two were daughters,
Iris and Ivy, third, a son, Walter, fourth, a daughter, Olive, fifth, a son,
Ponnuraj, and the youngest, a daughter, Irene.

Ivy, after her studies in Keys High School, Secunderabad and Intermediate
from Women’s Christian College, Madras, joined Christian Medical College
(=CMC), Vellore in 1940 to study medicine. She volunteered for a short period
at the famous roadside dispensary of CMC’s founder Dr. Ida Scudder.

Ivy was all praise to Dr. Ida Scudder’s training, which enabled her to lead an
ascetic lifestyle, working in various hospitals whether in districts, cities, in
India or Australia.

Dr. Ivy Arthur’s first posting was at the Leprosy Hospital, Dichipally, and then
at CSI Mission Hospital in Medak. It was here that she was encouraged to do
complex operations, by Dr. Russell, from Australia. Later, she joined the
Kugler Hospital, Guntur. After a five-year stint in three different mission
hospitals in Australia, she was back at Kugler Hospital as Superintendent.

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /05 Apr - Jun 2024

Dr Ivy Arthur took Dr Ida Scudder’s famous ‘three knocks in the night’
statement seriously, a reference to an earlier incidence she had witnessed,
when three young women died during childbirth because there was no female
doctor to treat them. When asked, about her punctuality, Dr. Ivy answered, “I
don’t keep an expectant mother waiting, and it’s cruel. It is against my
ethics.”

Whenever her hands shook because of age-related issues, Dr. Ivy commented,
“For a very long time, these hands were rock steady, handling babies. Now
my Lord is saying, well done, good and faithful servant!”

Dr Ivy’s wish to see at-least one of her nieces or nephews takes up medical
profession came true, when three of her grand-nephews opted for medical
profession.

Seeing the passion, devotion and hard work of her father as a Pastor, she had
a special appreciation for Pastors and made it a point to meet them after the
Sunday Service. She never missed any Sunday Worship, whether in Wesley
Church or at St John’s Church, Secunderabad.

Dr. Ivy celebrated her 100th birthday on the 6th May 2023. It was a happy as
well as a sad one, as her eyes fell on the group photo on the desk. It has her
parents, four sisters and two brothers. God had a plan, maybe to ensure that

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /06 Apr - Jun 2024

the future generation remains blessed. She smiled when her nieces, nephews
with their spouses, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-
great nephews, clapped as they all sang the birthday song for the hundredth
time. Smiled, as they wished her, but her thoughts were far away; Smiled
when hugged; Smiled that she had fulfilled her father’s favorite John Wesley’s
quote, “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you
can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you
can, as long as ever you can.” A faithful Wesleyan to the core, indeed, like her
father!

When the subject of marriage was broached, Dr. Ivy kept a diplomatic silence,
because she did not want to publicly compare herself to Dr Ida Scudder, who
did not marry.

When we were kids, we remember her asking us to sing, ‘Jesus loves me this I
know’. And suddenly she cuts in and asks, “How?” and we have to be sharp
enough to reply, ‘For the Bible tells me so’.

Our beloved Dr. Ivy Arthur passed away peacefully on 13th March 2024 in her
sleep. But we couldn’t hold back our tears, when the song, ‘Safe in the arms
of Jesus’, was sung, unable to answer her, ‘For the Bible tells me so’.

Victor Jasti

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /07 Apr - Jun 2024

 Need for Value Education in Schools

Every child has a dream. Every parent has an expectation. Every country has a
hope. However, given the best education, the best facilities, and the best of
everything, yet, at some point in time, we all have few unanswered questions
in our mind.

The number of people getting education has gone high; still social evils like
hatred, discrimination based on gender, caste and religion, inequality and
selfishness have spread out like wildfire everywhere. Why? Degrees are
available for all but the dignity has gone down; why? Trained people are
produced from many educational institutions but people who are sincere are
very few… why? Many books are written, much research is done, many
professional achievements are attained but humanity is becoming
endangered… why?

For all these questions, there is only one answer; and that is education, which
should be based on values. Therefore, we need value-based education. Value
education includes the process that cultivates honesty, non-violence, integrity,
care, responsibility and respect. It influences individuals, schools and
communities to create a fair society. It also helps to remove the confusions
and contractions of the individual and enables utilisation of technological
innovations in the right way.

Each individual has to uphold various types of values in their life, such as
cultural values, human values, personal values and social values. Each of these
has a set of universal rules, which needs to be followed to make right decisions
in life. Inculcation of values builds character within the younger generation,
who may lead the country in the future.

Home is the first place to learn and be inculcated with values, and School is
the second setting in which we can nurture and celebrate values. Values
should be the top priority in a child's education.

An exemplary citizen is made, not born. Just as we learn mathematics and

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /08 Apr - Jun 2024

languages, we should also become specialists in those lessons that are
fundamental to harmonious living and social progress such as respect,
empathy, equality, solidarity and critical thinking. Schools function as a
window to the outside world for children. They create opportunities for
students to imbibe values by observing, listening and interacting with people
beyond their family. Many attributes of behavior they develop for a lifetime
have their roots in schools. Thus, the school has to give due importance and
priority to inculcating the desirable values among children.

In schools, moral values are normally explained through stories and

illustrations and role play of a good story in the lesson. After a lesson, the
teacher stimulates the class for a discussion which allows the values to be
explored more deeply.

Today, world citizens are facing numerous problems including terrorism, drug
addiction, poverty, and demographic imbalance. Hence, it is necessary to
instill moral values in the curriculum because education is a highly effective
weapon to combat these evils and find solutions. Value education creates a
roadmap for the future life of young students which revolves around building
ethical and moral values to have a more meaningful life.

We know that today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens. If we provide good

education with moral values to them, the future generation will be well-
informed.

In conclusion, value education plays a critical role in moulding students into

responsible, kind and empathetic individuals, who are ready to face the
challenges that life may throw at them.

Therefore, schools and other educational institutions need to realise the

significance of value education and make it an intrinsic part of their curricula.

Thinking with love is the truth! Feeling with love is peace! Acting with love is
the right conduct and understanding with love is non-violence which denotes
the essence of Value Education.

Annie David

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /09 Apr - Jun 2024

 " Education is not only about acquiring knowledge, but
also about acquiring values that will guide us in life."
- Nelson Mandela

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even
when they are old, they will not turn from it.”
- Proverbs 22:6

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /10 Apr - Jun 2024

 Women in the Bible – 6
Deborah – The Wet Nurse
In this issue let us look into the life of a woman who is mentioned only twice
in the Bible, in just two verses which are 11 chapters apart! In the first
instance, she is not even mentioned by name! This ‘insignificant’ woman must
have obviously had a very ‘significant’ life as is seen from the response of
people to her death. She is none other than Deborah, Rebekah’s wet
nurse. Genesis 24:59, says, ‘So they sent their sister Rebekah on her
way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men.’ Though she
is not mentioned by name in this verse, we see that Deborah was the nurse
sent by Laban to care for his sister Rebecca when the latter went to
marry Isaac. It is only in Genesis 35:8 at the time of her death that Deborah is
mentioned by name.

Who was this Deborah? Nothing is known about her or her family
background through the Bible. But according to the Book of Jasher, a lost
book mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, often interpreted as a lost non-
canonical book, Deborah was the daughter of Uz, who was the first son
of Milcah and Nahor. Thus, she was related to Rebekah.

Was Deborah, a ! or just an ordinary nurse maid? Though it is not

specifically mentioned, many Bible scholars opine that Deborah was indeed a
wet nurse to Rebekah.

What is the role of a wet nurse? Wet nurses were hired to feed a Baby
when his/her mother was not able to or not willing to breast feed her child.
Sometimes wet nurses were hired to feed and take care of abandoned or
adopted children. (Pharaoh’s daughter and Moses) During the Roman
Empire, written contracts were formed with the wet nurses. Often the wet
nurse left after her contract/need was over but many times, she continued as a
nurse to take care of the child as s/he grew up. Often she assumed a role of
importance, and took charge of the slaves and servants of the household. But
in some cases, the wet nurse stayed on to become the nurse to take care of the

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /11 Apr - Jun 2024

child as s/he grew up, she was the mentor, teacher, companion and in fact
took a mother‘s place. This is what happened in Deborah’s case. She not only
went with young Rebekah to a strange land but stayed on with her to take care
of and teach her children and perhaps her children’s children too.

After this first vague mention of her, we next hear of her in Genesis 35:8,
‘Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak outside
Bethel. So it was named Allon Bakuth’. It is significant that the death and
burial of this ‘ordinary’ woman is mentioned, seemingly disrupting the Jacob
narrative. Not only is it clearly mentioned that Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse
died, but also are mentioned the place of her death and the specific spot of her
burial. It is also significant that the tree under which she was buried was given
a name, so that not only could the place be identified but also that the future
generations may remember the person who was buried there.

How is it that Deborah was with Jacob’s entourage at Bethel? Most probably
she was sent by her mistress to inform her son that it was safe to return home.
Rebekah had promised Jacob 36 years ago, ‘“I will send for you and bring you
from there [and bring you home]”. Sending Deborah to her son was her way of
keeping her promise to send for him and bring him home. Most probably,
Deborah remained in Haran with Jacob and stayed to tend to his wives and
children. Later, God told Jacob to move to Bethel and make an altar, and
Deborah died there and was buried under an oak.

Why was Deborah mourned so greatly? Deborah must have been a very old
woman at the time of her death – definitely more than 120 years old. When
she died the whole clan travelling with Jacob, stopped and mourned her
death. There must have been something very special about this woman that
caused the mourning.

What struck me at the first mention of the ‘Nurse’ was, she was ‘sent’.
Rebekah was called and asked if she wanted to go with Abraham’s servant to
marry Isaac. But no such consideration was given to Deborah, she was just
asked to go with Rebekah. She must have been a devoted nurse to her charge
and so there was no question of asking her. Laban knew the genuine love she

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /12 Apr - Jun 2024

had for Rebekah which would not allow the young girl to go alone to a strange
land and a strange life. What we see here is the devotion and commitment of
Deborah, the qualities which endeared her to people around her. We also see
the love she had towards her ward which made her unhesitatingly leave her
home and people. Deborah must have been a very kind and helpful woman
which inspired love and gratitude among others. She was a willing worker.
She was protective and must have been the one who taught Rebekah the faith,
customs and traditions of her Father’s house.

This is also a lesson on gratitude, a lesson on the power of a good teacher, and
a lesson on how impacting one person can transform history forever. Jacob’s
tremendous gratitude to this woman who was his mother’s support system
and his own ‘spiritual grandmother’ (and educator of his children) was
immense, and the tears flowed.

We learn from Deborah’s life that what you do is not important but how you
do is ! In fact she was following Paul’s instructions in Colossians 3;23,24 long
before it was given – ‘And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to
the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the
reward of the inheritance …’ She did receive her reward from the Lord. She
was loved and mourned while Rebekah’s death is not even recorded. The text
implies that Jacob's household must have wept and mourned over Deborah;
hence, the oak tree under which she was buried was named Allon Bacuth,
meaning ‘oak of weeping’.

Deborah’s life raises a few questions in our minds. How do we treat our
servants or those who work under us? Do they enjoy being with us and keep
coming back to us even after they leave?

What about those who are our superiors above us? Does our service inspire
them to love us and treat us as family?

Are we doing whatever we do ‘as unto the Lord’ or are we hankering after
power and position?

May the ‘extraordinary’ life of this ‘ordinary’ woman teach us to be humble,

loving, committed, devoted, truthful in whatever we do and whoever we serve.

Jayanti S. Thangaraj

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /13 Apr - Jun 2024

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /14 Apr - Jun 2024
 Appreciating God’s Creation

God’s Creation is beautiful, a testament to His infinite artistry and wisdom.

From the vastness of the cosmos to the intricate details of a flower, every
element of nature reflects the glory and majesty of the Creator. As Psalm 19:1
states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of
his hands." The diversity of life, the changing seasons, and the breathtaking
landscapes all serve as reminders of God's handiwork, inspiring awe and
reverence in those who take the time to observe and appreciate them. Jesus
himself highlighted this beauty when he said, "See how the flowers of the field
grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his
splendor was dressed like one of these" (Matthew 6:28-29). Clearly, God has
quite the green thumb!

However, in our fast-paced, technology-driven world, many humans are blind

to the beauty surrounding them. Urbanization, pollution, and the constant
barrage of digital distractions have disconnected us from nature, leading to a
diminished appreciation of God’s work. Our focus on materialism and
progress often overshadows the simple, profound beauty that exists in the
natural world, leaving us indifferent to the wonders that once captivated our
ancestors. Romans 1:20 reminds us, "For since the creation of the world God’s
invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly
seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without
excuse." Yet, we often fail to recognize these qualities. It’s as if we’ve traded a
spectacular view of the Grand Canyon for a spot in the line at the local fast-
food drive-thru.

To overcome this blindness and cultivate an appreciation for God's Creation,

we must intentionally slow down and reconnect with Nature. Spending time
outdoors, practicing mindfulness, and reflecting on the beauty of the natural
world can help us rediscover the awe and gratitude that God’s Creation
deserves. As Psalm 104:24-25 expresses, "How many are your works, LORD!

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /15 Apr - Jun 2024

In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." By
embracing a more conscious and appreciative approach to our environment,
we honour the Creator and enrich our own lives with a deeper sense of
connection and wonder. Plus, who doesn’t want to be able to say they’ve
literally stopped to smell the roses?

Jyothi Sharon

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /16 Apr - Jun 2024

 Caring for God’s Creation

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth (Gen1:1). In six days
God created everything, and last was man. Then God saw all that He had
made and it was very good (Gen1:31). As parents are delighted in giving their
children good gifts and watch them enjoy and use it carefully, so also, our
Creator presented His beautiful Creation as a gift to humanity, expecting us to
utilize and cherish it.

Creation reveals the glory of God (Ps 19:1) and it is the LORD’s (Ps
24:1).

God blessed humankind and said, “Let them rule over the fish of the seas and
birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the
creatures that move along the ground” (Gen 1:26). The word ‘rule’ should not
be taken as absolute power, but as responsibility. This responsibility of taking
care and nurturing Creation was first given to Adam and Eve and passed on to
us through generations. By caring for the Creation we express our love and
reverence towards God, the Creator.

When sin entered the world by human’s disobedience to God, it brought curse
on the ground, since then creation has been groaning and waiting for
liberation. The whole of creation will be redeemed when our Lord Jesus will
come back as we read in Romans Chap. 8.Therefore, we as children of God
have been called to be Stewards of His Creation.

Over the years, human activities have greatly destroyed and depleted our
environment. Deforestation, pollution, water crises, rising global
temperatures, etc., are some of the alarming issues posing as a threat to life on
Earth. As a responsible Christian, each and every one of us should be
concerned about this situation and should contribute in reviving our planet
for the future generations.

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /17 Apr - Jun 2024

How can we Christians as individuals, family and Church care for
God’s creation?

Christians should be thankful for God’s creation and pray for divine guidance
in caring for His creation. Along with that, every individual should diligently
put into practice the 3R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Reduce– minimising the waste we generate.

Reuse – using products that can be used more than once instead of one time
use.

Recycle – making use of waste to produce something useful.

Use of sustainable means of transportation, for example: walking and/or

using bicycles while going to nearby places, making use of reusable shopping
bags, using technology to glorify God and not abusing His Creation. Each of us
can make a difference, even if it is something simple as turning off the fans
when not needed or recycle plastic and glass bottles.

In every Christian family, children should be taught to respect and care for the
environment. Parents should always set an example by preserving Nature:
growing more plants and planting trees; avoiding use of plastic material,
saving electricity, water, etc. As a Church, we can collectively help in
contributing to initiatives taken by the Government, such as rain water
harvesting, use of solar energy which can minimise use of other sources of
energy, clean up drives in our community, creating awareness around our
society and sharing with the needy.

There are clear instructions in the Bible to care for our fellow humans.
Romans 12:16 says, “Live in harmony with one another”. Mark 12:31: “You
shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Here the words one another/ neighbor
refer to fellow human beings and we can also consider this as all of God’s
Creation we are closely associated with, in our day to day lives.

As Christians, let us incorporate Creation-friendly ways in our personal lives,

family and Church. Being the light of this world, let us continue to be more
responsible and be at the forefront to protect our Planet.

Greeta Samuel

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /18 Apr - Jun 2024

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /19 Apr - Jun 2024
 Earth-Care Prayers

The earth is a very fragile place, and yet it is our home, our only home. In the
past century in particular, humanity has been terribly severe on the earth
making unreasonable demands on it, and now the earth along with its life and
ecosystems are struggling to cope. The irony is that humanity depends on a
healthy earth in order to survive. The first to suffer are always the poor and
most vulnerable, and so we need to take stock, reduce our demands, and live
more simply, or as Jesus asked of his followers, more lightly on the earth.
Below are some prayers to help get us started:

LORD, Grant us Wisdom to Care for the Earth

Lord, grant us the wisdom to care for the earth and till it.
Help us to act now for the good of future generations and all your creatures.
Help us to become instruments of a new creation, founded on the covenant of
your love. Amen.
– From ‘The Cry of the Earth’

Some more Eco-prayers

Lord, we praise and thank you for the beauty and goodness of creation
around us.

* * * * * * * * *

Lord, help us to maintain a reverent attitude towards nature, threatened

from all sides today, in such a way that we may restore it completely to the
condition of brother/sister and to its role of usefulness to all humankind for
the glory of God the Creator.

* * * * * * * * *

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /20 Apr - Jun 2024

Over the past century, we have noticed the diminution of the living diversity
of creation and of the health of the ecosystems that support it; Help us Lord,
to do our part to stop further decline in the health of our planet by the way we
live our lives.

* * * * * * * * *

Lord, we pray that people everywhere become more caring towards the
environment in which they live, and that politicians, planners & developers
seriously consider environmental concerns when making decisions.

– From http://www.praying-nature.com/Eco-Prayers

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /21 Apr - Jun 2024

 Understanding CSI Order of Service

Liturgical Churches
Every Sunday, when we gather as a Congregation for Worship, we follow the
Church of South India Order of Service. This practice, common in CSI
congregations all over, is based on the tradition of liturgical worship. Most
Church traditions spread around the world − Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican,
Reformed Lutheran/Calvinist /Methodist − use formal structured liturgy for
worship. Hence, these church traditions have their own Prayer Books for use
by their members.
Therefore, it is customary for members of these churches to have their
respective Prayer Books at home along with the Bibles and Hymn Books, and
carry them along when they go to church.
Ancient yet Contemporary
Formal worship is an ancient tradition, as old as the Christian Church. From
its inception, the Apostolic Church, following the Jewish practice, sought to
systematise Christian corporate worship. From the history of Christian
Church we understand that by the end of the first century, a well-developed
liturgical tradition had come into being.
Structured Common Worship called ‘liturgy’ is derived from the Greek word
‘leitourgia’ meaning ‘the work of the people’. This practice evolved in the early
Church while the people of God gathered to worship the Almighty in unison in
a manner, which would please God revealed in Christ Jesus. Historical events
as well as diverse cultures of multinational congregations brought about some
changes and innovations in their liturgies. However, the basic elements of the
ancient liturgy have remained constant over time. These essential elements
are as follows:

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /22 Apr - Jun 2024

Basic Elements of Liturgy
• Corporate Prayers (Praise, Thanksgiving, Supplication)
• Readings from the Scriptures (Hearing) / Teaching
• Affirmation of Faith
• Confession of Sin
• Breaking of the Bread (Lord’s Supper)
• Hymns and Lyrics
• Shalom Greetings
• Benediction
The similarities we find in the Prayer Books of diverse denominations is
because of these basic elements of liturgy. We can easily identify several
common words and phrases in many a prayer as well as in the Pastor leading
the responses and People’s responses. A clear proof that all the later Orders of
Worship were developed based on the ancient liturgies.
Similarities can be found not only in words, but also in chanting and symbols
used in worship.
Things to Remember
When a Congregation gathers to worship God in one accord, the following
things need to be kept in mind:
First of all, the instructions to be followed by the Worship Leader and the
Congregation called ‘rubrics’ are given in italics. For example, "The
Presbyter says, the people standing: -". When such instructions are
followed attentively, it won’t be necessary for the Presbyter to keep
announcing when to stand, sit or kneel.
Next, the parts printed in bold letters (heavy type) are meant to be said
or sung by the Congregation and so, should be done accordingly.
Third, people’s response which should follow immediately after the
Scripture Readings: For example, When the Reader ends the Old
Testament / Epistle lesson, saying, ‘Here ends the Reading’ the
Congregation should say: Thanks be to thee, O God. Likewise, after
the Gospel Reading they should say: Praise be to thee, O Christ.

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /23 Apr - Jun 2024

Finally, the Peace Greeting: When the Peace is given during Communion
Service, first, the giver places her/his right palm against the right palm of the
receiver, and each closes her/his left hand over the other’s right hand. Then
they should exchange the Peace Greeting: ‘The peace of God’ or ‘The
peace of God be with you”. The receiver then passes the peace through to
the people on his/her left and right side. If people on either or both sides are
their own family members, peace should be given to those in the front and
back rows. Even if those who are seated next to you are not family members, it
is better to turn around and greet fellow believers. This will help to strengthen
congregational unity.
How Liturgically Literate is Our Congregation?
In the light of the above, we need to honestly admit that our Wesley Tamil
Congregation is not sufficiently nurtured in the use of the CSI Book of
Common Worship. That is why there is a constant need for the Presbyter
leading the Worship to keep announcing about the postures of
sitting/standing/kneeling as specified in the rubrics, and repeatedly
announcing the page numbers during the course of the Service. The practice
of the Reader herself/himself saying the Congregational response: ‘Thanks be
to thee, O God/Thanks be to thee, O Christ after Scripture Reading suggests
lack of liturgical literacy.
Prayer Books At Home
In churches where Services are conducted using prescribed liturgy, it is
expected that each adult member, if not, at least every family own a copy of
the Prayer Book. This would help members to familiarise themselves with the
nuances of the liturgy and actively participate in the Liturgical Worship.
How many families of the Wesley Tamil Congregation have their own copies
of the CSI Book of Common Worship at home? Let us ponder over this
question and earnestly strive to be a liturgically literate Congregation.
Stanley JG Thangaraj

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /24 Apr - Jun 2024

 A Prayer for the Precious Gift of Water

Without water, we would die. Water is essential for life on earth, not just
human life but all life. Water is needed for drinking, cleaning, washing, and
making crops grow. There is no substitute for this precious resource, and yet
we waste it, we pollute it, and we even commodify it! Let's start anew, and
begin by thanking the Lord for the gift of water.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water who is so useful, humble,

precious, and pure.

– St. Francis of Assisi

Prayer for Sister Water

We praise and thank You, LORD, for the gift of living water. Guide us to use it
wisely, learn from its humility, consume it sparingly, and protect its purity, so
that with St. Francis, we may truly enjoy water. Amen.

- Cathal Duddy

http://www.praying-nature.com/Eco-Prayers

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /25 Apr - Jun 2024

 International Widows’ Day

The loss of a partner is devastating. For many women, this loss is magnified
by long-term struggles for basic needs, human rights, and dignity. Widows are
often denied inheritance rights, evicted from their homes, isolated from
society, forced into unwanted marriages, or subjected to traumatising rituals.
They are often stigmatised, shunned, and shamed. Many of these abuses go
unnoticed and are even normalised.

According to the Census of India 2011, there were approximately 42 million

widows in India, making up around 7.4% of the female population. Despite
their specific needs, their voices and experiences are often missing from
policies affecting their survival.

June 23rd marks International Widows Day, a day to raise awareness

about the discrimination, poverty, and social isolation widows face. It is a time
to recognise their strength and resilience. International Widows Day was first
recognised by the United Nations on June 23, 2011, initiated by the Loomba
Foundation in 2005. This foundation, led by Rajinder Loomba (member of
the House of Lords in the U.K), has focused on the plight of widows since its
establishment in 1997. Loomba noted that in many countries, widows face
great hardships and are often neglected by governments and NGOs. June 23,
commemorates the day Loomba's mother became a widow in 1954. The
foundation’s efforts led to the U.N. adopting International Widows Day as an
Annual Global Day of Action.

International Widows Day promotes action to achieve full rights for widows,
calling for more research into the violence, discrimination, and poverty they
suffer, and developing policies to address these issues. The ultimate goal is to
empower widows, allowing them access to education, work, healthcare, and
lives free of violence and abuse, enabling them to build a life for themselves

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /26 Apr - Jun 2024

and their children. Towards this goal of changing the regressive global culture
vis-à-vis widows, the international community must engage. Governments
need to be persuaded to help, and communities must be encouraged to
collaborate.

As we observe International Widows Day 2024, let us pledge to stand in

solidarity with widows everywhere. Jesus exemplified compassion and care
for widows, showing profound empathy and respect. Let us work together to
create a world where widows are empowered to rebuild their lives with dignity
and hope. By offering support, understanding, and compassion, we can
ensure that no widow walks alone on their journey toward healing and
renewal, following the example set by Jesus.

Divya Vilvaraj

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /27 Apr - Jun 2024

CHILDRENS CORNER - APPRECIATING GOD’S CREATION

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI /28 Apr - Jun 2024

Good Friday - Sunday School
 Palm Sunday Procession

WESLEY TAMIL OSAI EDITORIAL TEAM & COMMITTEE

Stanley JG Thangaraj v Deepa James v Divya Vilvaraj v Jerry Moses

Rev. K. James Cecil Victor Rev. M. Jeeva Rev A. Daniel Tharmaraja

Presbyter-in-charge Presbyter Presbyter

Mr. Samuel C. Gibson Mr. Christopher Jesuraj Mr. Solomon Raj Wilfred
Convenor & Secretary Steward Treasurer

Designed by Jasper C. Sarah & Roshan A. James

Cover Page Art by Jessica Evangeline Gibson