THE FRONTIER NEWS May 2012 Diocese of Peshawar Church of Pakistan St. Augustine s Church, Kohat is over a century old Garrison Church built by the British, situated in the heart of Kohat Cantonment. Individual Highlights The Ascension Day 1 Interfaith Activities 2 Terrorism in KPK 3 Bishop s visit to Abbottabad 4 Junior Church Activity 4 Women Workshop 5 * Inauguration of Vicarage, at Kohat 5 * Gift for Lalazar Church 6 * Youth Seminars at Tarbella & Swabi 6 The Ascension Day ; to mark this holy festival, prayer services were held in all the churches and parishes of the Diocese of Peshawar. At this occasion, the Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters took his caravan, comprising of senior clergy and diocesan officers to Kohat and led a special Worship Service regarding the Ascension Day, which was attended by a large number of people who were blessed by the Word of God. The Service started with the readings The Ascension Day from the Book of Daniel, i.e. 13:7, the second reference was read out from Acts 1:6-11, from the New Testament. Whereas, the Gospel Reading, i.e. Matthew 28:18-20 was recited by the Bishop s Chaplain, Revd. Tanzeel Zafar. The Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters in his sermon unveiled the mystery and meanings of the Ascension Day in very simple words for the congregation. God created man in His image and delegated him the authority over the Earth. Unfortunately, humans lost their right and authority by committing sin, and surrendered their authority to the Satan. Our father in Heaven still wanted to see human being enjoying this authority. He said. Thus Jesus was God s solution to this dilemma. He was born as a man and was the only human without sin. We were redeemed by his blood during his crucifixion and by ascending to heaven. He exhibited God s wish that human can have the authority as well. Let us be thankful to our Father in Heaven who equips us with the authority of the Holy Spirit. He further added. After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His words by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16:19,20) Page 1
Building Peace and Harmony, Faith Friends recommend. Ilyasi Mosque, Abbottabad Forced Conversion in Pakistan May 14, 2012: An Interfaith Conference was held on the topic of Building Peace & Harmony through interfaith joint efforts, at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Abbottabad. The conference addressed the followers of various religions to work together, and to show unity in building a good image of the Country. The Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters, Bishop of Peshawar, Dr. Atta-ul- Rehman, Chief Nazim, Rabta al- Madaras al-islamia, and Mollana Mehboob al-rehman, Khateeb, Ilyasi Mosque, Abbottabad, were the guests of honour. The programme started with prayer by the Bishop s Chaplain, Revd. May 15, 2012: The Ministry for National Harmony, Government of Pakistan organized a seminar at Islamabad Hotal, Islamabad. The topic was, Forced Conversion in Pakistan. Religious leaders from various faith communities and from various sects of Muslim majority were among the participants. Dr. Paul Bhatti, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan with the authority of Federal Minister, Pakistan and Chair, All Pakistan Minority Alliance welcomed all the guests at this occasion. Mr. Akram Masih Gill, the Minister of State for National Harmony also accompanied him. The seminar specially focused on the forceful conversion of Hindus and Christians girls who are kidnapped by majority Muslim land lords or well to do people and forced to marry. The Rt. Revd. Humphrey S. Peters was also invited as one of the eight main speakers at the seminar. The Bishop stressed that (i) The Religious Minorities of Pakistan must be given equal rights according to the founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah s presidential address to the constituent assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947 and Article 25 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973. (ii) Age of the abducted girls must be determined by the Court. (iii) Police must register the cases lodged by the aggrieved parents. (iv)at the time of Courts decisions, the girls must be allowed to meet their parents. Unless we are serious this menace will never end. Tanzeel Zafar. The Chief Coordinator, Faith Friends, Qari Roohullah Madni, in his welcome address gave a briefing on the efforts of the Faith Friends for bringing Peace & Harmony in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Revd. Riaz Mubarik, the Priest Incharge of St. Luke s Church, Abbottabad shared the Word of God, and reflected on 1-Corinthians Chapter 13, thus emphasized on Love, Harmony & Reconciliation. Other speakers from various faith communities also stressed upon the need to create an environment of Peace & Harmony which itself will present a positive image of the Country in the comity of Nations. Bishop Humphrey Peters in his speech also put emphasis on changing our attitudes towards religious discrimination and sectarian violence, and encouraged to promote a culture of love and tolerance. Bishop Humphrey Peters with the Provincial Ameer (Head), Jamat-e-Islami, Senator Prof. Muhmammad Ibraheem Khan at his office. The Diocese of Peshawar besides working in the fields of Health, Education & Social welfare without the question of Colour, Creed Gender or Ethnicity is promoting the works for the promotion of Interfaith Harmony. Recently the Bishop of Peshawar met the Provincial Head of Jamat-i-Islami to condemn the activities of Terry Jones of Florida, USA. Both the Diocese and Jamat will launch a joint campaign against his atrocious activities. Page 2
Once upon a time, this was their School Bomb blast at a bus stand Terrorism in the KPK but the Church reaches with Good News After a gap of only a few months, the Talibans and their splinter groups have once again started targeting the innocent, defenseless civilians. Bomb blasts, suicidal attacks, grenades and rocket attacks have rocked the province, and these frequent attacks have become order of the day. Nowhere is safe, bombs are planted in Public transport, and at bus and at railway stations, as well. Now a days, an operation against miscreants and terrorists groups and their headquarters in Waziristan is launched by the Pakistan Army. This time Taliban are at the receiving end, since fighting with the army is tough, they have taken the easy option of targeting vulnerable citizens. They blow up Markets, Shops, Mosques, Shrines or anything and, everything which comes their way. The rocket attacks in towns were a rarity in the past, but now a days, they are attacking the main residential areas, e.g. Hayatabad in Peshawar is an Urban area, near Khyber Agency, and is attacked on regular basis. Last month, the talibans attacked the central jail, Bannu where the most wanted criminals and terrorist are kept, but after the jail break hundreds of hard-core criminals and terrorists are now on the loose. The tribal areas situated on Pak/Afghan border, such as Landi Kotal, Waziristan, Miranshah, Thall, Mir Ali, Parachinar, etc. have a good number of Christian inhabitants as well. In such a situation, the roads get blocked and the prolonged curfews compel people to stay indoors, which results in shortage of food items, and other commodities. But the Areas of Conflict are not abandoned by the Diocese of Peshawar. The Brave Priests and the Lay Pastors and even the Bishop himself regularly visit these areas with Good News, and within the limited means helps them by providing whatever is possible. No body knows when the things will improve, or the general law and order situation will get better. Nevertheless, one thing is for sure, these extreme situations make one s belief in Christ stronger, and the church will keep on fulfilling its all responsibilities of sharing the Good News. Prayer request for the Tribal Belt The Christian Community living in the Tribal Belt needs support and the Priests who share the Good News need your prayers as well. Kindly pray, as it is an extremely important ministry for sharing the Good News of Peace, Consolation, Reconciliation and Healing in the affected Tribal Belt. Page 3
Bishop s visit of Abbottabad, KPK Junior Church Activities St. Luke s Church, Abbottabad Abbottabad is the same town, where the world s most wanted man, Osama Bin Laden was captured and killed by the US Seals, on May 2, 2011. However, the Diocese of Peshawar has an active rather thriving parish, in Abbottabad. May, 13-14, 2012: Bishop Humphrey S. Peters in his two days visit to Abbotabad, led a Sunday Worship Service at the St. Luke s Church, and later he went to visit various programmes and projects run by the Parish. The Bishop appreciated efforts of the Priest Incharge, Revd. Riaz Mubarik and his Parish Committee. He also visited a few families and spend some time with them in prayer. A special visit was paid to an Orphanage called, Home of Hope, Abbottabad which is run by a Christian NGO. The Bishop took keen interest in their project and spend some time with orphans and appreciated the noble cause of the Organization. Thus, the Bishop assured them of his support towards their project, and invited the administrative staff of the orphanage to the Diocesan Centre, Peshawar for further discussion, and planning to improve the services. The administrator, and staff of the Home of Hope accepted Bishop s invitation with pleasure and said that they were axiously looking forward to hold another meeting with Bishop Humphrey Peters. Workshop in Progress May 12, 2012: The Diocesan Junior Church Desk with the collaboration of Pakistan Sunday School Ministry (PSSM) organized a training workshop for the Sunday schools teachers, at the Diocesan Centre, Peshawar. This in fact was a follow-up Programme of a Teachers Training Workshop held in September last year. About 60 Sunday schools teachers from various churches/denominations participated in this programme. Mr. Sohail Masih, from PSSM was the keynote speaker. His session was about the use of latest technology in teaching. We have been equipped with new knowledge and techniques, said a trainee from Peshawar. At this occasion, Mrs. Noureen Altaf, Coordinator, Junior Church Desk, DoP, explained the procedures of distribution of the Shoe Boxes (Children s gifts) at various places in the near future. After the last session, the Archdeacon S. P. Asghar thanked the guests from PSSM, and acknowledged involvement and participation of the staff and trainees. He also assured that the diocese will continue to organize such workshops more often to enhance Sunday schools teachers performance. The programme ended with prayers, which was followed by a tea party. Group Photo of the Workshop s Participants Page 4
Women Workshop Inauguration of Vicarage, Kohat Workshop in Progress April 27, 2012: Diocesan Centre: The Diocesan Women Desk organized a One-day Workshop for the women leaders of various parishes and churches in Peshawar. The topic of this workshop was Re-defining of Women Fellowship s Vision, Calling and Role. In the first session, Mrs. Reena Patrick, the Diocesan Women Coordinator gave her insight on the foundation of Women Fellowship according to the Biblical reference (Acts 16:12-13). The second session was led by Mrs. S. P. Asghar. She quoted various references from the Bible and about the vision, calling and role of women in Women fellowship of the Church. She involved participants in various group activities/assignments. The participants actively carried out all the assignments and were deeply involved. Wife of the Bishop, Dr. Mrs. Rabia Shaheen Peters was the chief guest at this occasion, she mixed-up with the women leaders and appreciated their role in Church activities. Bishop Humphrey with Revd. Shahzad s Family After the Holy Communion Service on Ascension Day, the Rt. Revd. Humphrey Peters performed the Inauguration ceremony of the newly built Vicar s House. It is pertinent to mention that in the past fifty years there has been no accommodation for the Priest In-charge, only a small mud-house existed but was not habitable. Some old people tell the story that there used to be a Vicar s House on a 4 canals plot right in the Army s Garrison, but no body can point-out, where? However, all the priests posted to Kohat Parish in the past 5 to 6 decades have been living in rented houses, here and there in Kohat. Bishop Humphrey Peters and his team at the Peshawar Diocese have been successful to erect this building, ofcourse, after a hard battle with the fate and the times. Nevertheless, the Revd. Shahzad Murad has the honour of being the first resident of the new Vicarage at St. Augustine s Church premsis. Later, the congregation and the guests were given dinner party to celebrate the Ascension Day and Inauguration of the Vicarage, as well. The workshop equipped/motivated the women leaders to carry-out their responsibilities more effectively to empower the women folk in the region. At the end, the participants spent some time in prayers and thanked the Lord for his guidance and support throughout the Course. Bishop Humphrey performing the Inauguration Ceremony
Growing in Christ The Diocese has an active Parish in Tarbella, especially youth group of the parish encourages the youngsters to join the Church and come to follow Lord Jesu Christ. Recently, the Youth Group organized a Seminar for the new young members of Tarbella Church. At this occasion, they invited Mr. Insar Gohar, the Diocesan Youth Office as a guest speaker. Ms. Saima Javed, President Youth Group welcomed the new members and reported briefly about activities & programmes run by the youth in Tarbella. Mr. Insar Gohar in his session taught about Life in obedience to God. He said, God so loved the world that He gave His one and the only Son, thus we should love Him full heartedly. Jesus said, If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15). Our love to God depends on our obedience, said Mr. Gohar. Seminar in progress in the Tarbella Church He also motivated the young members to join the church and the youth group, to grow in Lord Jesus, and to live a good Christian life. The programme ended with a fellowship refreshment party. All the participants mixed up with each other and discussed various youth issues in an informal environment. Youth activities in Swabi Swabi is a small town near Mardan, KPK. A small number of Christian community also resides there, who lives side by side with the Muslim majority. They have adopted the local Pashtun culture, and speak fluent Pashto. The Diocese also has a Church in Swabi, which is a sub-parish of the Tarbella main parish. A youth group has also been established under the supervision of Revd. Akmal Haroon, which often organizes various programmes and activities in the church. On April, 22, 2012: The youth group organized a Youth Seminar on The Love of God and our response towards it. Mr. Insar Gohar, the Diocesan Youth Officer and Mr. Kamran Younas, the President, Diocesan Youth Council shared their thoughts on the topic. After formal sessions, the youth discussed various issues and problems faced by the Swabi s youth. The guests assured them that their problems will be solved on priority basis. The youth officer also motivated them to start projects for their community development, especially in the field of education, as the literacy rate among the Christians of Swabi is very Low. Later, the local youth group leaders thanked the guests for their support and hosted a Lunch in their honour. Pentecost Day (27 May 2012) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house.. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4) Pedestal Fans for Lalazar Church Revd. Altaf Gohar (right) and Mrs. Akhtar (center) handing-over the fans As mentioned in the last newsletter, that a new Church Building is erected at Lalazar, a suburb area near Peshawar University. May 8, 2012: The Diocese of Peshawar presented gift of Pedestal Fans for the Lalazar Parish for their newly built Church. On behalf of the Diocese, the Development Secretary, Revd. Altaf Gohar and his staff handed over the fans in a function arranged in their honour by the local Church. The congregation of Lalazar Church is very happy; they thanked the Bishop and the Diocese of Peshawar for this much needed gift for the Summer season. They also thanked the Diocese for all its help and support through out the construction and beautification of the Church. Page 6