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In January of 2002, a partnership covenant was established between the Diocese of North Kerala of the Church of South India and Grace Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The purpose of this partnership is to provide opportunities for mutuality in mission. The focus of a partnership is primarily on the building of a relationship that will strengthen the mission of both Grace Presbytery and the Diocese of North Kerala. The goal is for reciprocal relationship, providing activities in which both partners may participate. These may have broad range – from studies of issues, to prayer and study of the Bible, to sharing of information on countries and congregations and exchange visits for building relationship, educating in mission and volunteering in service.
The Church of South India is the result of the union of churches of varying traditions: Anglican, Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Reformed – in that area. Discussions concerning union began at a conference in 1919, and in 1947, after India attained independence, the union was completed.
The Church of South India has 3.8 million members and 14,000 congregations in 21 dioceses. The CSI runs 2000 schools, 130 colleges and 104 hospitals. In the 1960’s, the Church became conscious of its social responsibility and started organizing rural development projects. There are 50 such projects all over India, 50 training centers for young people, and 500 residential hostels for a total of 35,000 children.
The India Partnership Task Group, which enables this covenant through delegate exchanges, partnership activities and other activities, sees its mission as multi-fold: To pray that the partnership will be grounded in honest dialogue, constructive criticism, mutual forbearance in the hope that God’s love will bind us together as friends on Christ. To this end, they seek to:
• lift up the one church of Jesus Christ in prayer
• share in the life of our judicatories and our congregations, and
• explore opportunities to become partners in mutual mission
Seven churches in Grace Presbytery have begun and continue a partnership with a companion parish in Kerala. These churches not only send delegates to each other’s countries, but also exchange ideas, create and sustain ministry projects and enjoy a mutual camaraderie.
 In February of 2009, eleven delegates from Grace Presbytery traveled to India to continue this partnership. Then, in September of 2009, we received eight delegates from India, including Bishop Kuruvila and his wife, Elizabeth. The delegates spent time with host churches, enjoyed Texas sights across the state, and greeted our Presbytery at each of its September regional meetings.
This partnership is a call. It is a call to pray and discern. It is a call to study the most crying needs and the ways God would have us address them. It is a call to let God transform us for our role in the world church for the sake of God’s intentions for the world. It is a call to partner with Christians near and far, mobilized as Presbyterians working together worldwide in witness, discipleship, and community. It is a call to draw upon the tested commitments of Presbyterian mission as we face the crucial challenges of our day: witnessing and evangelizing worldwide; equipping the church for transforming mission; engaging in ministries of reconciliation, justice, healing and grace; and living the good news of Jesus Christ in community with people who are poor.
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