MLA Nemcha stresses vital role of churches in society
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, December 04 2021: Attending the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship (KTCF) and a joyful Advent Christmas, Kangpokpi AC MLA Nemcha Kipgen has stressed the vital role of Churches in building a strong and peaceful society.

The local MLA while highlighting the important role Churches of Kangpokpi town had played during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, said that the various activities and services rendered to save the people of Kangpokpi during the pandemic were successful only after Churches in the town took an active part.

Further stressing the important role of Churches in achieving God's blessing, the MLA said that America is blessed as more than 200 Church leaders pray unceasingly for the country and exhorted Churches of Kangpokpi under the aegis of KTCF to do the same for the town and its people.

"When Churches are strong, the society grows and becomes strong," added the MLA.

She then spoke on the importance of preserving land, stating that "when we use the land in a proper way, then only, we can glorify God and according to his will our land will be blessed".

She said, "Our'forefathers despite being illiterate had a vision for ui and understood the importance of protecting land that we along with our land have been protected under a constitutional law.

But there is a need on our part to preserve our protected land by avoiding cultivation of plants that are detrimental to the land and the society".

She continued, "My message to the people on this auspicious Advent Christmas celebration is that we are all literate and being a responsible Christian it is our duty and responsibility to preserve our land.

Being able to judge what Is good or evil, we must ignore things that can destroy our land".

The Advent Christmas celebration also strongly emphasised the need to follow COVID protocols/SOPs/guidelines provided by the government in case the third wave arrives in the town.

The local MLA exhorted the people to maintain unity they had extended to the government during the first and second wave if the third wave arrived and also urged the Churches of the town to take an active part again.

ADC Sadar Hills caretaker chairman, Haokholal Hang-shing, who attended the event as guest of honour, also urged the people of Kangpokpi to follow the COVID guidelines and SOPs anytime and anywhere while asking the Churches to pray for the town and its people.

Pastor J Lunkim, moderator Manipur Synod KCC, who attended as the main speaker of the celebration, said that many precious lives had been lost due to COVID-19 in the state, including more than 70 in Kangpokpi, out of which more than 53 deaths are from the town itself.

Paying tribute to all the departed souls, Pastor J Lunkim said that as "we celebrate Advent Christmas we remember all those who died fighting the pandemic during the first and second wave and we also pray for the bereaved families".

He then said: "As Christ is the Prince of Peace, we must celebrate his birthday (Christmas) cherishing peace and goodwill".

A moment of silence was also observed by the congregation as a mark of respect to the departed souls of former KTCF leaders.

A souvenir published to commemorate the Silver Jubilee celebration of KTCF was released by the local MLA during the Advent Christmas celebration organized by KTCF.

Singing of Christmas gathering hymnals and Christmas group dance called Lamkol participated by all the Churches and dignitaries including the local MLA marked the occasion.

Nemcha Kipgen also presented monetary assistance to all the Churches of the town as Christmas gift.

Earlier, Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship celebrated its 25 years of its existence and God's blessing.

A monolith to commemorate the silver jubilee celebration of KTCF was unveiled by Rev K Hangshing, chairman KTCT, in the presence of the MLA and other dignitaries while a traditional Gong called "Dahpi" was hit 25 times by the Church leaders, KTCF leaders, the local MLA, KTC chairman, and other dignitaries.

Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship was established in the year 1996 after three years of its existence as Kangpokpi Town Churches Conference since 1993 .

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