THE Bishop of Cuttack, North India, Surrendra Nanda and Jyoti’s Nanda recently came to Crediton after coming to the UK for the Lambeth Conference.

Rev Alison Richardson, from Crediton Methodist Church, explained that the Church of North India is a united church, of many denominations.

She said that Surrendra and Jyoti thoroughly enjoyed the conference and while the Bishop attended the main synod, Joyti attended the Women Spouses Programme.

She continued: “Bishop had previously visited Rev Graham Thompson, the District Chairman of the Plymouth and Exeter Methodist Church. They are good friends, a friendship which has grown since this Methodist District formed a Mission Partnership with the Cuttack Diocese. The partnership is well founded, based on prayer, learning from each other and supporting each other in every way possible.”

She explained that in 2010 she was invited by the previous Bishop, to the Orissa (now Odisha) District where the Cuttack Diocese is one of four dioceses.

In 2011 Rev Alison and her friend Rev Deborah Kirk travelled to Cuttack to run the Women’s Empowerment Programme, mainly around the tribal villages in the Orissa and the Dalit people of the towns.

Rev Alison continued: “Dalits are people who do not fit the Hindu caste system, which you are born into. In my Great Aunt Edith’s time as a missionary in South India, all non caste people were known as untouchables. When people become Christian they are freed of all such labels and there are laws to protect Dalits and Adivasis, and other faiths but these are rarely enforced.”

Since the first visit Rev Alison and Rev Deborah have visited many times. Often other ministers accompany them and there has been one group visit, with another being planned for next year. If you would like to know more about the partnership and group visit please contact Rev Alison: [email protected] .

Once the Lambeth Conference was over, Rev Graham Thompson, now the President of the Methodist Church, met Bishop and Joyti for a meal, catch up and set them on their way to Crediton.

Bronwyn Nott and Rev Alison collected them in Exeter and took them safely to the Manse for their four night stay. Bishop Nanda and Rev Alison are good friends, meeting initially in 2011 when he was Pastor of Berhampur, Cuttack.

Rev Alison said: “After resting after their journey their first visit was to Holy Cross followed by Cheriton Fitzpaine Methodist Church and village.

“They both knelt and prayed at Holy Cross and were overwhelmed by the beauty and atmosphere. Thorne’s Farm Shop was the coffee stop, with picking strawberries as a surprise, they loved the experience of both.

“Bishop was inspired at the farmer’s diversity and this is one aspect of rural life that he is going to share in Cuttack. The ‘windmill’ generating electricity fascinated them both, another talking point when returning to India.

“In the evening Bishop and Joyti were warmly welcomed by the members of Crediton Methodist Church. Informal discussions and some snacks were enjoyed by all. Understanding the Bishop’s accent and speedy speech caused some difficulty.”

Members of Silverton Methodist Church joined Bishop and Joyti at Rev Alison and Bob’s home the next day. There are several reasons for this. Pasties from Stevie B’s were very popular. Good fun and fellowship complemented the buffet outside.

The following day Bishop and Joyti walked around the town, popped into some shops and enjoyed sitting in the Town Square. This was followed by a visit and meal at Exeter Quay with members of the Methodist District.

Exeter Cathedral was the next stop followed by shopping.

Alison added: “Prices shocked them both, especially car parking. Bishop commented that the £4.60 I paid at Mary Arches would feed a family of five for a month in India. Rev Alison explained the cost of living in UK, this shocked them both as well.”

She continued: “This was Joyti’s first experience outside of India where she is the principal of a Hindu School and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

“Bishop referred to Bob Richardson as his role model, he had never seen a man in the kitchen before and was going to help his wife when home.

“Joyti was shocked at Bob serving breakfast one morning and was looking forward to Bishop helping her at home. There were many funny moments, as well as prayer and shared faith conversations. Bishop and Joyti arrived safely back in Cuttack ready for worship on Sunday. May God continue to bless them and encourage them.”

by Alan Quick