Today is the Day!

Today a group of 12 of us from the Diocese start our pilgrimage to India. Bus to Atlanta, ATL to Germany and Germany to Calcutta (or Kolkata if you want to be proper...) We should be there by Thursday morning (2:45am!). Please keep us all in your prayers as we begin this adventure. Once we are settled, we have a schedule of bloggers that will keep everyone informed. As long as we have access to internet, we will share! (I say that because sometimes we don't always have access to internet....)
God's love to you all -
Amy Congdon

Today we attended the Tribal Awards Ceremony at St. Michael's School. Saw dances from the Santali, Boro, Orao and Mundi tribes who are part of the diocese. In addition to recognizing the work which the tribes do they also gave a literary and a social work award to two persons who exemplify those two areas. The gathering had many powerful moments. The respect among the peoples here is exemplary.

Deacon Ann spoke on behalf of the gentleman who received the social work award and gave moving thanks for his work among the tribes.

Tonight we participate in a cultural festival and then dinner at St. Michael's.

Tomorrow is the Annual Thanksgiving Service with some 3000+ persons gathering under a large tent. Some folks have traveled 3 days over very challenging roads to be here. And we moan if there is a little snow on the ground!

Todd Donatelli

On Thursday we visited St. Michael's School which is next to the diocesan center. It is a school of 3000+ students grades k-12. Being a private school, families who send their children here are mainly middle class and above. In recent years the school has created scholarships for children of the hostel at the diocesan center. The principle lead us through many classrooms and to a Physical Training Class (our P.E.). Students have PTC every day. I observed no overweight children here.

In the afternoon we were back at the hostel with the children in their various classes and the after school program. A highlight of the evening was a presentation of knitted shawls which knitters from St. Phillip's Brevard had made for each of the children who live in the hostel. While knitting the shawls the knitters prayed for the child who would receive it. Each child came forward one by one to receive their shawl. They would immediately wrap themselves in it and flash a large smile to their fellow students.

Two our our group went to a micro enterprise work supported by Episcopal Relief and Development. Sallie Hart, one of the visitors will be bloginging about this visit.

Today part of the group joined the clergy from Durgapur for a clergy retreat. We talked about prayer ministry, The Order of St. Luke and remaining fresh in our ministries. These are amazing clergy with deep passion for what they do.

The others in our group toured various neighborhoods of Durgapur.

The Companion Diocese Committee of Durgapur invited us to their regular meeting this evening. Each of us was invited to reflect both on our visit and our relationship as companions. Comments both by folks from WNC and from Durgapur were very moving. This relationship has grown over the six years to be one of mutual respect and learning. The level of works being done by this diocese in schools, new churches, health and economic support is strong. We are heartened by what we are seeing and learning from our companions here.

We continue to appreciate your prayers.

Todd Donatelli