Women’s Synodical, Church of Pakistan
Introducation
The Synodical of Women’s Fellowship of the Church of Pakistan’ (COP) often referred to as ‘Women’s Synodical’ (Rafaqat-e-Khawateen in Urdu) was formulated in 1970. It is the highest national organization of the Women’s Fellowship of the Church of Pakistan. It is the senior most standing committee for women’s concerns within the Church of Pakistan. The Rafaquat-e-Khawateen operates at three levels, the local parish, diocesan and national levels in the COP.
A women’s committee was formed at the inauguration of the Church of Pakistan in 1970 to organize women’s work across the four Uniting Churches. The committee led by Mrs. Ethel Khair Ullah, framed the first constitution for the women’s fellowship, which was approved by the Church of Pakistan Synod in 1971.
Khushund’s Role in Womens Synodical
Khushnud has been deeply involved in the Women’s Synodical from a young age. Her mother Florence Qadir Bakhsh, being a wife of a Bishop was among the pioneer of Women Synodical. Inspired by her mother and Mrs. Ethel Khiar Ullah, Mrs. C. Bhan, Mrs. F. Inayat Masih (wife of Bishop of Lahore), Mrs. Young (wife of Bishop of Sialkot) and Mrs. Shirin Samuel (wife of Bishop of Multan). Growing up in such a vibrant and committed environment, Khushnud embraced the values and mission of the Synodical, participating in various activities and initiatives aimed at empowering women within the church community. Her mother’s dedication and leadership provided a strong role model, instilling a sense of responsiblity and passion in Khushnud. Over the years, Khushnud has contributed significantly to the Synodical. She brought youthful energy and innovative ideas to its programs when she joined Synodical as a priest’s back in 1980.
Khushnud Azariah served as the Vice President of the Women Synodical Church of Pakistan during the years 1983 to 1989. In this capacity, she played a crucial role in advocating for women’s rights, representation, active participation and women’s voice in decision making process within the church.
Following her tenure as Vice President, Khushnud Azariah was appointed full time honorary coordinator of the Women Synodical from 1990 to 1993 with a mandate to raise sufficient funding to establish Synodical office and appointment of a full-time paid woman coordinator for better organization, communication, and coordination of women’s work within the eight dioceses of the Church of Pakistan. Khushnud successfully completed the task entrusted to her and also organized two important events. In November 1992, Women’s Synodical held its very first consultation on ‘Women and Theological Education’, to raise public awareness on the issue of empowering women through theological education. On October 15, 1993 Women’s Synodical celebrated Mid-Ecumenical Decade, ‘Churches is Solidarity with Women’. It was a national Ecumenical gathering attended by over 100 women and men representing various denominational church and non-governmental organizations for one day deliberations in Lahore, Pakistan. In appreciation of her services, Khushnud was presented a gold pendent with a chain bearing the logo of Women’s Synodical. Khushnud thanked the Synodical for supporting her to establish the Coordination office, and announced the appointment of a full time paid coordinator, Shunila Ruth.
History Book
Khushnud Azariah written a book “The Synodical of Women’s Fellowship, Church of Pakistan: Its Role and Vision of Empowering Women Through Theological Education in Pakistan, which was launched by the Women’s Synodical, Church of Pakistan in September 2007. This book traces 25 years of women’s ministry in the church of Pakistan.
This book share the history and journey of faith of Women’s synodical of the Church of Pakistan. The stories of our foremothers, who have nurtured the church through life’s tempests and storms, today call and challenge our sisters and daughters to come forward to play their role in making our church a loving, witnessing and a serving church in Pakistan.
This book gives us an overview of church women’s passionate and devoted ministry in developing and establishing their role and status in church and society. The book traces the historical development of women’s Synodical from the time of its inception with special reference to its role and vision of “Empowering Women through Theological Education for Women in Pakistan”.
I congratulate Women’s Synodical of the Church of Pakistan for publishing its first history book. I am deeply impressed by the way it has preserved its records and data over the years which has been used in the compilation of this book. The women of the Church of Pakistan have gone far ahead of men in documenting an important chapter of the history of the Church of Pakistan when it is written in the time to come.
I particularly wish to commend Rev. (Deacon) Dr. Mrs. Khushnud Mussarat Azariah, the author of this book, for her extraordinary work of compilation and writing of Synodical’s first twenty five years of its ministry. In this book she has not only documented the invaluable work begun by the faithful church women but has also given due reverence to the builders of Women’s Synodical, who have nurtured their church and society with love, faith and hope. Her work is indeed a gift to the church and will be revered in the history of the Church of Pakistan.
It is my prayer that God Almighty continue to bless and use Women’s synodical and its able leadership to strengthen the church. Women’s active role and visibility in the total ministry of the church and society is vital for church unity and effective witness in Pakistan. May God help the church to play a more dynamic and positive role in realizing the vision put forward by Synodical women in this book.
It gives me immense pleasure in presenting you with this book entitled “The Synodical of Women’s Fellowship of the Church of Pakistan: “Its Role and Vision of Empowering women Through Theological Education in Pakistan” by Rev. (Deacon) Dr. Khushnud Azariah.
The book is a compilation of the 25-years (since 1972-1998) history of the Women’s Synodical undertaken by Dr. Khushnud Azariah on her own initiative, which she painstaking researched and made it part of her Ph.D studies.
The executive committee and I congratulate Dr. Khushnud Azariah for her informative and well-researched book. It will surely be of unusual importance for the Church of Pakistan in general, and Church women in particular.
While this book provides a fascinating glimpse of the Women’s Synodical, it is only fitting that we truly honour our founding mothers for their vision, commitment and faith. It is amazing how these faithful women nurtured the Church through their dedicated ministry in the Church of Pakistan.
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