The September Gazette focused on the work of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand in North India from 1908-2008. In his editorial, the Rev Andrew Bell talked about how the guests would be welcomed to the General Assembly and the centenary celebrated.
By Stuart Simpson
The guests were Church of North India deputy moderator the Right Rev Purely Lyngdoh, accompanied by the Rev Yunous Massey, Dr Cecil Harrison and Dr Nayana Harrison from Christian Hospital Jagadhri, and Kamla and David Singh from St Thomas School, Jagadhri.
Imagine the faces of the invited guests as they entered a hall in Wellington College especially set up for the centenary celebration. Music played in the background, refreshments were passed around and pictures of India, provided by the Presbyterian Archives, were displayed.
Past missionaries, students, friends and family gazed around the space and in time recognised people who had been through similar experiences, people who had been comrades in difficult times, and others who they hadn’t seen for many years. Memories were shared, funny stories were told and laughter was plentiful.
The Governor General of New Zealand, the honourable Anand Satyanand, and the Global Mission Office hosted the function. The Governor General spoke about his family’s Presbyterian connections and his visits to India. Other speakers included the grandson of Dr W J Porteous, who begun mission work near Jagadhri in 1908.
Many of the guests wore traditional Indian clothing and throughout the evening people were entertained with Indian dancing, video displays and two songs performed by one of our own musicians, Jordan Redding.
The evening also saw the launch of a book, Light and Love: One hundred years in North India, published by Doreen Riddell and the Global Mission Office to mark this milestone in our mission history.
The entire evening was a celebration of faithful Christians who had served God in North India. It celebrated those who had given so much because of their love for others and the Good News of Jesus Christ.
It looked back, but eyes were also focused on the present and the future; on those who serve God around the world now, and those who will serve in the days to come.