South Asia Moravian Church Mission Province Second Synod 2025:
'For such a time as this'

Between 16th and 20th January this year delegates gathered at the Park Village Hotel, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal to meet for the Second Provincial Synod of the South Asia Mission Province. Ministers and deputies from India and Nepal were represented along with the South Asia Mission Province Provincial Board, Chaired by Br Shanti Kumar Pradhan and the British Mission Board (BMB), Sr Jane Carter, Sr Roberta Hoey and Br Joachim Kreusel and the Unity Board Administrator, Br Jørgen Bøytler. We all arrived safely however my suitcase remained for several days in Doha airport in Qatar!

Sessions began on the Thursday with Br Thsespal Kundan in the Chair and Br Simeon Kamei the Vice-Chair. Br Tin Shaw of Myanmar was elected as the President of Synod and Br Joachim Kreusel as the Vice President. Br Joachim welcomed Synod by leading the opening service.

The first order of business was to guide new deputies through the processes of Synod including how to deal with proposals, amendments and the voting procedure. I think we, in the British Province, who may have attended our Synods for several years very much take this process for granted, but it can be a steep learning curve for those who are attending such a meeting for the first time.

Each morning began with prayer and Bible Study reflecting on women's experiences. I led the first Bible Study taking inspiration from the book of Esther (4:14) and exploring the theme for the Synod 'For such a time as this'. Br Thsespal led the second morning's study using Hagar as his subject and on the final morning Br Ebenezer Gangmei reflected on Hannah's situation.

Reports were received from the Provincial Board presented by Br Shanti Pradhan; the British Mission Board, presented by Sr Jane Carter and the Unity Board presented by Br Jørgen Bøytler and Sr Roberta Hoey.

One of the first sessions was led by Sr Roberta Hoey outlining the importance and functions of inter-synodal committees. There were no such committees at the time, but consideration was given to the election of a Book Committee to continue the ongoing work of updating and refining the SAMP Book of Order and to prepare for the next Synod. A Book Committee was duly elected. The important subject of financial sustainability was also discussed and the need to elect a Finance Committee to enable the Province to work towards financial independence and stability. Committees are elected from the four Provincial regions ensuring an even spread of representation. For the Finance Committee, two members were elected from the floor of Synod and others would be appointed regionally.

The Synod followed the pattern of some Provinces and Unity Synod of splitting into discussion groups to consider proposals prior to gathering in a plenary session to come to a conclusion regarding final wording and voting. This works well for this particular Province because of the broad geographical spread of the congregations and the split over two countries with different governments and laws.

On the first evening the Provincial Board and the BMB took the opportunity to visit local congregation members in Kathmandu to discuss ongoing concerns about ministry provision. On subsequent evenings each congregation had the chance to bring news about new work and projects. This was an important sharing opportunity. Unlike the British Province where our congregations are at their furthest about 200 miles apart (or maybe across the Irish Sea), the breadth of the South Asia Mission Province is about 3,500 miles between Ladakh and Manipur so opportunities to meet are less frequent and costly.

There were a number of proposals brought to Synod. Some were to refine the wording of the Book of Order. Several proposals dealt with the governance of Moravian Institutes. The gathering based in Silchar, North East District was recognised as an official Fellowship. The provision of long term and further education for minister's children under the support of the Provincial Board was agreed. The District of Central, comprising Rajpur and New Delhi Fellowship would henceforth be known as North West District.

The final election was for officers for the next Synod to be held in 2026. Chair Sr Vani Pradhan, Vice-Chair Br Thsespal Kundan and Reserve Officer Br Simeon Kamei.

Br Joachim led the closing service including the Cup of Covenant.

Although there were four days of business there were many opportunities for fellowship during breaks and at meal times. Probably the best discussions and preamble to business were made over rice and fragrant meat and vegetables. There was also worship in many forms and the opportunity to share in worship with the Khokona Congregation on Saturday morning with Br Bøytler preaching and Br Shanti translating a reflection on the Samaritan woman at the well. Sisters who had met at the Women's Conference in November also met with Sr Roberta and Sr Jane to exchange ideas about how the women's work might be explored in South Asia with ideas from the MWA (Moravian Women's Association) being shared.

Despite bearing witness in this region since the 1800s, South Asia as a Mission Province is still in its infancy and it will take many more Synod's to refine its structure and governance. However, the Provincial Board is dedicated to the process and have met consistently and frequently during the inter-synodal period and will continue to lead the Province with commitment and a strong and visible faith in God. Please continue to pray for the South Asia Mission Province and all our brothers and sisters in Christ who witness to the growth of the Kingdom.

(By the way my suitcase appeared late on Friday, so respectability was eventually restored!)

Sr Jane Carter

Chair, BMB