Association of Theologically Trained Women of India

The Association of Theologically Trained Women of India (ATTWI) is an association of Indian women theologians which was constituted in 1979 in Chennai.

Association of Theologically Trained Women of India
ATTWI
TypeFostering theological empowerment of women. (A Society registered under the Government of India.)
Established1979
PresidentRev. Nirmala
Location
AffiliationsSenate of Serampore College (University), National Council of Churches in India (NCCI)

It is an ecumenical organisation with more than 500 members.[1]

History

In 1977, Shanti Solomon and D. Hoeffer, a German missionary pioneered a conference for theologically trained women in Chennai with a three-fold purpose:[1]

  • to help the theologically trained women to explore ways and extend responsible participation in the total life and mission of the Church.
  • to focus the attention of Churches on the presence of theologically trained women among them and to recognise their potential.
  • to encourage theologically trained women to organise themselves into an all-India association to develop strategies for meeting their needs.

Another conference was organised in 1978 in Chennai. In 1979, an ad hoc committee[1] was constituted to draft a constitution for forming an association.

ATTWI became a reality in 1979.

Sessions, venue and topical sessions

Sessions, venue and topical sessions:[1]

  • 1979 (20–22 February), Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute, Chennai, Theologically Trained Women in India - Dare, Share and Act.
  • 1981 (3–6 February), Jeevan Jyothi Retreat Centre, Hyderabad, Theologically Trained Women of India - Called to Serve.
  • 1983 (26–30 May), Queen Victoria Girls Inter College, Agra, New Dimensions in the ministry.
  • 1985 (17–20 January), Charal Mount, Kerala, Feminist Theology in the West and Indian Church's Response.
  • 1987 (26–30 September), UMT College, Calcutta, Christian Home - the Nursery for Christian Concepts.
  • 1990 (8–11 February), Animation Centre, Bishop's House, Nagercoil, New Dawn for Women.
  • 1992 (23–26 October), Mecosabagh Girls Hostel, Nagpur, Theology - A Faith Experience.
  • 1997 (21–24 January), Operation Mobilisation Retreat Centre, Secunderabad, Theology - Praxis.
  • 2002 (31 October - 2 November), Bosco Institute for Research and Development of Youth (BIRDY), Hyderabad, Towards a new community - a violence free society.
  • 2006 (3–5 May), Serampore College, Serampore, Empowered by God - Women transcend barriers.
  • 2021 (21 January) (Virtual) Observed Unity of Week Prayer with NCCI, (Speaker Rev Jyothi Sunder)
  • 2021 (19 February) Webinar jointly with NCCI Women and Leadership: A Theological Response (Speakers: Rev Silpa Rani, Rev Dr Pearly Walter and Rev Dr Nelavala Gnana Prasuna)

Membership

Membership to ATTWI is presently restricted to those who hold a degree in theology offered by the Senate of Serampore College (University) or such other theological degrees recognised by the Senate.[1]

ATTWI members include:

Appraisal

  • Wati A. Longchar, Consultant, World Council of Churches:

    ... ATTWI is an inter-denominational organisation which strives to uplift women and girl child, deal with issues pertaining to women and girl child rights, have dialogue with the concerned organisations, and make representation on their behalf and by doing so help the society to develop a healthier community by creating awareness.[2]

Publications

  • Feminist Hermeneutics, Lalrinawmi Ralte, Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2002,[3] ISBN 81-7214-710-4.

Executive Committees

The executive committees:[4]

Presidents

1979

  • President - Vanitha Nallathambi
  • Vice-President - Nalini Arles
  • Secretary - Katakshamma Paul Raj
  • Treasurer - K. K. George
  • Members - Shanti Solanki, Graham Basanti, Merian Mary, Principal UTC, President of AICCW, Executive Secretary of Asian Church Women's Conference

1981

  • President - Saroja Moses Sangha
  • Vice-President - Florence Deenadayalan
  • Secretary - Sumathi Williams
  • Treasurer - Susy David
  • Members - Smitha Pramanik, Shantha Kumari, Vatsala Christian

1983

  • President - K. K. George
  • Vice-President - Christina Lall
  • Secretary - Sarojini Prasad Rao
  • Treasurer - Grace Bai Joseph
  • Members - Nihar Nalini Chatriya, Smitha Rathod, Vimala Kantharao

1985

  • President - K. K. George
  • Vice-President - Christina Lall
  • Secretary - Sarojini Prasad Rao
  • Treasurer - Grace Bai Joseph
  • Members - Nihar Nalini Chatriya, Vimala Kantharao, Sumathi Williams, Hannah Joseph, K. David, Saroja Sangha, Navamani Elia Peter, Mathai Zachariah

1987

  • President - Padmasani Gallup
  • Vice-President - S. A. Benjamin
  • Secretary - E. Joseph
  • Treasurer - S. Devapalana
  • Members - S. Pramanik, Jessie Ranjan, Shanti Kumari, K. K. George, Bage

1990

  • President - Navamani Elia Peter
  • Vice-President - Nirmala Vasantha Kumar
  • Secretary - Rajakumari Joseph
  • Treasurer - Ratnavathi Babu Rao
  • Members - Rachel Matthew, Manoj Manjari Kumari, Grace M. Joseph, Padmasani Gallup, Narendra John

1992

  • President - Navamani Elia Peter
  • Vice-President - Vijayamma Prasad
  • Secretary - Florence Deenadayalan
  • Treasurer - Shanta George
  • Members - Suguna Devasundaram, Manoj Manjari, Awala Longkumer, Sennangshila Benjamin, P. C. Laltlani, Vidya Benjamin, Ratnavathi Babu Rao, Nirmala Susai, Shyamala Baby, Kunjamma Philip

1997

  • President - Jessie Nesakumar
  • Vice-President - B. V. Subbamma
  • Secretary - Soumini Jayan
  • Treasurer - Sabitha Swaraj
  • Members - Shyamala Sukumar, Margaret Prabhu, Ida Swamidas, Anne Bhosle, Sunitha Noronha, Ashwathy John

2002

  • President - Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar
  • Vice-President - Annamma Thariyan
  • Secretary - Pankaja Manilal
  • Treasurer - Ratnavathi Babu Rao
  • Members - B. Subhashini, Shanti Tilak, Graham Basanti, Christina Lall, Thankamma Varkey, Anna Mary

2006

  • President - Nirmala Vasantha Kumar
  • Vice-President - Susan George Matthew
  • Secretary - Limatula Longkumer
  • Treasurer - Krupaveni Prakasha Rao
  • Members - Susan Thomas, Leela Rajanandam, Ivaleen Ammanna, Kanthamani Christopher Raj, Lovely Mukherjee, Rualzamawii, Ravi Tiwari

2020

  • President - Jyothi Sunder
  • Vice-President - Hogla Thabitha
  • Secretary - Nelavala Gnana Prasuna
  • Treasurer - Salome Joshua
  • Regional Secretaries: Kerala: Esther Reginold; Karnataka: Gracy Christian Mary; Tamil Nadu: Kirubai Kumari; Andhra Pradesh: Angel Veronica; Telangana: Vijaya Suppogu; Odissa: Anupama Hail; West Bengal: Silpa Rani; Mizoram: Boholi; Nagaland: Lalnghakthuami; Meghalaya: Pancilia Thawmuit;
  • Members: Jessica Ranjan, Syamala Sukumar, Elizabeth Joseph, Senate of Serampore, BTESSC and NCCI

See also

References

Notes
  1. ATTWI Handbook
  2. Wati A. Longchar, "The Ecumenical Theological Education in Asia and the Pacific", Ministerial Formation; 101, July 2003, page 6. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. Feminist Hermeneutics, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2002
  4. ATTWI Handbook
Further reading
  • Sunil Kumar Chatterjee (2006). "Hannah Marshman - The first woman missionary in India". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

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