VISIT TO TIRUNELVELI DIOCESE
August 2005, by Liz Lilley
I hope that you all know that Lincoln
Diocesan Mothers’ Union is linked to the Women’s
Fellowship in the diocese of Tirunelveli in South India. The
link between the two dioceses is in fact ecumenical, and so there were
representatives from various churches in the group of 18 of us who went
there in August 2005. It was a very busy two weeks, packed with colour,
culture, heat, garlands, presentations, tours and spicy food, (not my
favourite!) as well as wonderful fellowship.
We were made most welcome wherever we went. The Church of South
India, an amalgamation of several Christian denominations,
is extremely active, and they were anxious to show us their many projects!
We visited many schools, colleges, training centres, special schools,
medical clinics and hospitals, a leprosarium, tsunami relief camps,
homes for the elderly and orphanages, as well as the various ministries
within the diocesan offices and Bishop’s compound.
As in Africa, I was impressed with the dedication and commitment of
the church to both mission and community work. I took many photographs,
and will be pleased to come to your branch or deanery to tell you all
about it!
Meanwhile, let me tell you a bit about the work of the Women’s
Fellowship. The diocesan president is Mrs Violet Jayapaul,
wife of the Bishop. The diocesan officers had prepared photographic
posters of all their projects, which are numerous! These are grouped
into social, educational, spiritual and medical ministries. One of their
social ministries is the setting up of a training centre in a very poor
rural area in the north of the diocese, called Pottalpatti.
Labour in the area is scant and seasonal, and there are many young widows
due to accidents. The training centre offers courses to girls and young
women between the ages of 18 – 25, giving them spiritual support
too. Learnt sewing skills enable some of them to be employed in the
ready-made garment industry, and computer skills also help employment
prospects. Currently there are 21 students on a two-year agricultural
management course. There are ambitious plans to build up this Rural
Women’s Development Centre, and this is where your donations
will be going. Many thanks to all of you who contributed.
The Diocese of Tirunelveli has recently been “bifurcated!”
(What a wonderful term!) This means it has been divided into two because
of successful church growth. Pottalpatti is in the half that is continuing
under the name of Tirunelveli. The “new” half is the Diocese
of Nazareth, and they are awaiting the announcement of their new Bishop.
We visited projects in both halves, but it is not yet certain whether
the Lincoln Link will be with one or both. The Women’s
Fellowship already run a Rural Women’s Development
Centre in the “new” half, which includes a pre-school
and medical clinic, and the plan is that Pottalpatti will offer the
same. Incidentally, whilst there we planted avocado and jasmine trees
in the grounds!
Other Women’s Fellowship projects include leadership
training camps, retreats, tailoring classes, a children’s home,
festivals, Bible teaching, night schools, pre-schools, medical camps,
free marriage, girl-child awareness, HIV awareness, and the production
of grape juice for church use, and medical balm. Quite a list and quite
a challenge!
It was a privilege to visit Tirunelveli and to meet people from our
Link Diocese face to face.
Liz Lilley.
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