Samuel Amirtham (1932-2017) was a dedicated pastor, visionary, enthusiastic teacher, engaging preacher, efficient organiser and administrator and a loyal churchman. He developed a passion for the Bible and engagement with the society. His charismatic leadership found concrete expression when he built up the Tamilnadu Theological Seminary as its new Principal, directed the Programme on Theological Education at the WCC and gave outstanding leadership as bishop in South Kerala Diocese of the CSI.

The articles in this book narrate the stories of his involvement and initiatives vouching for the fact that he was truly A Rare Inspiration!

Contents

Forewords
Preface

I. Person and Profile

1. Short Journal of a Long-Life Journey
    Lily Amirtham (with contributions from the family)

2. The Three Points Sermon
    Asha Simpson

3. Stories Reveal Character: Personal Memoirs
    Israel Selvanayagam

4. Dr Sam Amirtham, Bishop Sam Amirtham (for me, ‘Sam Annan’) – Personal Memoirs
    Andrew Wingate

5. In Memoriam Sam Amirtham
    Julie and Leslie Nathaniel

II. Initiatives and Involvements

6. Building up a New Seminary
    Israel Selvanayagam

7. Slum Development Project
    V. Kanagu Nelson

8. Rural Theological Institute
    Kanagu Nelson

9. Madurai CSI Cathedral and Cathedral Projects
    P. Chelliah

10. Inba Illam (‘Happy Home for the Aged’)
     J. Thasayyan

11. Arulagam (Home of Grace for Women)
     Ivy Peter

12. The Unemployed Young People’s Association
      Vijithamby Solomon

13. Shalom Gardens (Home for the Aged)
      Lily Amirtham

14. Grace Kennett Foundation Hospital
      Lily Amirtham

15. Palmyra Workers’ Development Society
      Israel Selvanayagam

16. Anbu Nilaiyam (Loving Home for the Aged)
      Israel Selvanayagam

17. Origin and Early History of CREED
      D. Mathias

18. Multi-religious Education by Extension in Tamil Nadu (MEET)
      Chellakkan Rajamani

III. Contribution to Global Ecumenical Theological Education

19. ‘With Honourable Memory’: Sam Amirtham’s Contribution to Ecumenical Theological Education
      Miriam Ofelia Ortega

20. The Man who Changed his Visions into Reality: Bishop Samuel Amirtham
      S. Wesley Ariarajah

IV. Defining Episcopal Ministry

21. The Bishop Who Felt the Pain of the People (South Kerala Diocese)
      Vinod Victor

22. Concluding Remarks
      Israel Selvanayagam

Appendices

1. Contributors
2. WCC’s Obituary
3. Miscellany: Isolated Reflections
4. Samuel Amirtham’s Writings

Rev. Dr. Israel Selvanayagam, after long years of pastoral ministry and teaching in seminaries, both in India and England, is a supernumerary of the British Methodist Church. Apart from his own, he has collaborated with Amirtham in number of publications both in Tamil and English. Earlier, in 2007 he produced a huge volume of Samuel Amirtham's Living Theology. This volume fulfils Amirtham's last wish!