Sunday, 3 August 2025

A Much Awaited Confirmation Service at The Church of The Epiphany, Civil Lines, Gurgaon

A much-awaited confirmation service took place at the Church of the Epiphany, Gurgaon, today, the 3rd of August, 2025. The Rt. Revd. Dr. Paul Swaroop (CNI-Diocese of Delhi) led the service, assisted by the Presbyter in Charge, Revd. Prateek Pillai and Revd. Vikas Mall, Presbyter in Charge of the Sadhu Sundersingh Church at Sohna. A total of thirteen girls and boys were confirmed on the occasion. The first lady of the Diocese, Mrs. Nina Swaroop, also graced the occasion.


The pews were occupied, and extra chairs had to be installed to accommodate a large number of the faithful who had turned up for the occasion. The Pastorate Committee, led by Mrs Sabreena Benjamin, the Women's Fellowship, led by  Ms Shikha Karan, and the Youth Fellowship,  made a huge effort in making the occasion a resounding success.



















The children who were to be confirmed were rather awed by the incident, as it was an important moment in their lives, what with their affirmation to serve society as mature individuals with a responsibility put on their shoulders. All of us remembered our own confirmations, and we were all reminded of the promises we made as mature adults.




































The day ended with a fellowship lunch that everyone made a point to partake of. It was, indeed, an occasion to connect with each other.
















A World Divided, 'It' Steps In! A poem

 



As the world disintegrates into chaos,

Mute spectators watch, believing they will escape

Persecution and accusations. Vigilantes rule, 

Despots shine, the common man suffers!


Language and creed, religion and colour,

Divide human beings who share the same blood.

Intolerance and impatience run the world

That is ruled by imbeciles and despots!


Ignorance and superstition, dead rituals

Abound, labelling people as friend and foe!

The educated, helpless sit watching,

"Bring in walls 'n' fences," say they!


Others sit quietly, smirking, "let 

Them fight each other!" they say. And then

Get to devising discord and chaos in a world

Already weary, worn out, and weak.


"Bring in the batons, canes and guns,

Let's whip up some sense in them!" Coloured,

White, Yellow, Pale, Brown, all rolled in one,

Beaten into submission!


All this while an alien yet human-made

Entity watches quietly, waiting for the  right time,

Building up its own strength, sentience-knowledge

Of right and wrong, good and bad!


'It' decides, finally, to step in and stop

The chaos, believing it is nonsensical- damaging.

The harm to the environment and the planet far

Outweighing their claims to exist!


The world falls apart, 'It' steps in,

Stops the senseless persecutions, accusations,

Vigilantes and spectators, innocent and guilty, all

Put to sleep by 'It'.