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Women leaders and members from different churches seen here at the first ecumenical women’s prayer meeting on November 19 organised by the Christian Forum of Dimapur at the Bethesda centre.[/caption]
Dimapur, Nov. 20 (EMN): Expounding that Nagaland is a ‘most tolerant state’ where people from all communities, religions and denominations live in harmony, respect and accept each other, Rev. Dr. CP Anto, director of a local peace-advocating group Peace Channel, termed the state a model state for inter-faith harmony in India.
Speaking at the first ecumenical women’s prayer organised by the Christian Forum of Dimapur (CFD) on November 19 at Walford colony in Dimapur, Anto said people practicing Christianity should continue to be models for other parts of the nation, where people live in fear and paranoia, an update from the CFD’s desk stated on Wednesday.
Exhorting the gathering, Anto said Christian women have proved that God is alive and active. “You have created a new order and have rewritten the history,” he said.
He said the mother influences the family and makes the home become a small heaven on earth where love, forgiveness, respect, acceptance and understanding are practiced. The same nature should be reflected to make for a better Dimapur and a new Nagaland, he said. He said it can be made possible only when God becomes the centre of their lives and families.
Anto asked the members to centre their Christian life based on faith and hope, and to never lose hope even in the midst of trouble, temptation and tribulation.
Nukshila Aying Duolo of the Christian Forum of Dimapur gave the welcome address. She termed the gathering a historical moment for Christians in Dimapur. She thanked Rev. Moses Murry, CDF’s chairman, for working towards ‘making the dream into a reality.’ She appreciated the different Christian denominations for coming together as a family under one umbrella to pray for peace and unity in Nagaland.
Caroline Leisan began the gathering with a prayer quoting the 1st Corinthians 12:12, “There is one body, but has many parts. But all its parts make up one body.”
Rev. Moses Murry, in his introductory speech, appreciated the women for organising the programme. He emphasised on the importance of such gatherings and encouraged the people to continue it and to bring a positive impact on people’s life in order to transform the society.
After the introductory speech, he installed the leaders and prayed for all the newly inducted leaders of the women committee of CDF.
Women leaders and members from different churches irrespective of denominations attended the programme.
Meanwhile, the members also appreciated a citizen Kaholi Piketo for sponsoring the fellowship meal.