The Youth Desk of the Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church called on its congregations to celebrate Green Christmas in order to express its solidarity with the dying eco system. A big Climate Justice Peace Rally was organized on 29th December 2009 in Koraput, Orissa which drew the attention of many as this was the first of its kind in Koraput town. Youth from different parts of JELC participated in the rally. The event also received good media coverage. The rally is to bring about greater awareness among youth and the community. More than 500 youth participated in the rally.
The Youth of the Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church committed themselves to continue in its response to climate call and stay as active friends of the Earth. Congregations were also urged not to cut down Christmas trees, not to have noisy Christmas celebrations, use vehicle as less as possible and avoid using plastics completely. They also expressed deep concern over the increasing deforestation in Koraput district and thus appealed to the communities to plant as many trees as possible to bring back the greenery in Koraput. The deteriorating water situation in Koraput was also raised as a serious concern due to lesser rain.
Later in the evening, nearly 300 youth representing different congregations of JELC participated in the Christmas Carol under the theme: “Peace to Earth”. The Bishop of JELC, Rt Rev Subas Chandra Gouda, delivered the Carol sermon while Mr Amar Thomas, treasurer of JELC, spelled out the church's eco-mission agenda and its future course of plan. The honorable Member of Legislative Assembly of Koraput, Mr Raghuram Padal, shared his greetings on the occasion as well.
Earlier in the evening, Rt Rev Subas Chandra Gaudo laid the foundation stone for JELC’s Audio Recording Studio at Koraput which is an initiative of the Green Gospel Music-G2M of the church's Youth Desk.
Environmental concern is one of the 7 Mission Point Programme of JELC. The Youth Desk has charted out a series of workshops to address the issue of climate change and water in this year and the years to come.
Angelious Michael
Programme Secretary,
Youth Desk, Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church
Email: ecoangelious@yahoo.co.in
