COMMUNITY LIFEComposition of Teachers & Students
The 'catholicity' or 'ecumenical character' has been retained by the College throughout its history of last 185 years. It has been reflected in the appointments of Principals and teachers, and students who were drawn from different states and denominations both from India and abroad. There are about 130+ BD, MTh and D.Th. students in the Theology Department. The 22 women students together with 100+ men students representing various denominations, language groups and regions give a very unique feature of community life to the Theology Department.
Hostel: The College has a Men's Hostel which can house in single rooms 100 men students, Women' Hostel for 20 women students and 15 Married Students Quarters. A Warden assisted by a Hostel Committee cares for the day to day administration of the life in the campus.
Chapel: Devotional life on campus is given high priority as we are basically a worshipping community in training to serve the church in the nation. Every morning the whole community gathers at the Mission Chapel for a morning worship at 7:00 to 7:30 a.m. when students and staff follow a rota to lead the worship. At noon 12:15 the Intercession and at evening 6:45 the Vesper Service are led by the students in the College Chapel. These are occasions to develop personal spiritual life and community worship.
Sunday Worship: Every Advisory Group of each Faculty member takes turn to lead the Sunday Worship at the St Olave's Church in the centre of Serampore town at 8:30 a.m. Some Christians from Serampore, and adjoining areas join in this worship. After the Worship, the campus children join in the Sunday School conducted by the students of the Theology Department. Then again at 6.00 p.m. the Theology Community meet for evening worship service at the Mission Church, the first Church and home of William Carey at the river side, led by teachers and students. This occasion provides the students an opportunity to share their experiences of week end and outreach ministries and prayer concerns.
Advisory Groups: Each student is assigned to belong to a Faculty Member's Advisory Group. On the first Thursday of every month these groups meet in the respective Faculty quarters for a time of fellowship and prayer. Sometimes they may plan an entertainment, a picnic and form into a care group. The staff member is responsible for the welfare of the members in the group. Every member is expected to offer their share to make the community rich in being a care and share group.
Recreational Facilities: The College is provided with a good playground where Foot Ball and Cricket matches are held often for both Theology and ASC students and in the evening hours outsiders also come and play. There are Volley Ball, Badminton and Throw Ball Courts within the hostel quadrangle. A Common Room in the Hostel has Table Tennis, Carom Board and Chess. The Sports Secretary arranges inter-departmental and inter-collegiate matches.
Theology Society: This is the student body which represents the students' general welfare and collective interests. President and the committee annually elected by the student body help in matters of discipline and activities such as campus social work, games and sports, seminars and debates, competition, cultural programmes, etc. which they carry out under the guidance of a Staff Advisor.
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