UTS Alumni Newsletter: Vol.2, No.4, September 2004

The UTS ALUMNI Newsletter
UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Sampaloc 1, Dasmarinas, Cavite 4114 Philippines
Volume 2, Number 4, September 2004

[Prepared & edited by Rev. A. G. Guerero]

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97th ANNIVERSARY
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The "countdown" begins to the Centennial Celebration in November 2007 with this year’s celebration of UTS’s 97th Anniversary on Nov. 21-23. Nov. 21 is designated as UTS Sunday with a request to supporting churches to include in their worship activities a "special offering" for the seminary, particularly for "scholarship." Our seminary community is open to be a part of the celebration as preachers, teachers, singers or the like. Generally, it will be our Annual Churchworkers’ Convocation and Alumni Homecoming. Registration fee per person: PhP600 inclusive of food, accommodation and materials.
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Our anniversary theme this year: "ResponsiveTheological Education: Our Common Journey as People of God." Some of activities include worship services, lectures, workshops, panel discussions, exhibits, "barriolympics."
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The conferral of the Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) Degree, honoris causa, to former professor Eli-zabeth Gravador-Dominguez will be one of the highlights. She will deliver the alumni lecture. Other invited resource persons are the following: Bishop Ben Barloso (UCCP, Southeast Mindanao Jurisdiction), Rev. Dr. Everett Mendoza (VPAA, Silliman University), Dr. Sientje Merentek-Abram (Executive Director of ATESEA and Dean of SEAGST), Dr. Liwliwa Robledo (Dean, Harris Memorial College), and Rev. Fr. Robert Reyes (the RCC "Running Priest" and GOMBURZA Chair and Vocations Director of the Diocese of Manila).
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Contact UTS for details. Tel. No. (046) 416-0451. E-mail: utsem@yahoogroups.com. Cell: 0920-406-3969. Manila office: (02) 523-2727.

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"I pray that you may have your roots and and foundation in love." Ephesians 3:17b. GNB
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"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23. GNB.
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PROFESSORS ON LEAVE
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Three professors are on leave starting September: Bishop Daniel C. Arichea, Jr. (Ret.), bishop in residence; Rev. Dr. Paul Matheny, and Rev. Prof. Mary Nebelsick. Dr. Arichea will be away for four months. Dr. Matheny and Prof. Nebelsick will be on furlough and study for nine months. Rachel, their only child will attend school in the US. Their respective class hours were "adjusted" for this purpose.
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GUEST PREACHERS
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Seldom during a semester that two guest preachers are invited within a week. This happened during the second week of September. On Sept. 7, Rev. Dr. Pepito Cunanan, D.Min., shared his "Sigla Earth Energy [S.E.E.]" basic body, arm and leg movements during the Tuesday chapel service. His Sigla brochure states: "SIGLA provides energizing experiences and training for dealing with stress, pressures, tensions: personal, family, social relations, work and environment."
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On the 9th, during the Thursday worship service, former professor and academic dean, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Tapia, Ph.D., shared a message on mission mentioning her and Rev. Allan Cogswell’s work in the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, Switzerland. They are here for their "summer vacation."
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Straight from the Heart ...
By Rev. Anacleto G. Guerrero
Editor/Coordinator, UTSAA
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In an interview with Leadership Journal managing editor Eric Reed, Larry Crabb said, "The church can be a ‘well of pure water’ uncorrupted by our own troubled streams."
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Well said, I believe. The tune should blend with the music our church workers and local congregations play in their respective ministry setting. What is commonly observed among church workers today and in many of our congregations are glaring spots of polluted expressions of faith, not to mention theology and doctrine based on personal convictions. The source of guidance and faith foundation, the Holy Scriptures, is oftentimes pushed to the margin or brought down to the footnote, taken over by economic, political, ideological and emotional biases. The church must recapture the biblical fervor and spirituality to overcome our troubled humanity.
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Church workers (men and women) are placed in local congregations to do, not only particular "ministries" (others call it "jobs") but to attend to other things people expect, like graciously meeting all kinds of people (productive and unproductive staff, chronic complainers, conflicting church leaders, backbiters and generous ones, etc.). In church, ministers can easily spot new demands and challenges. Many are encouraging and some are frustrating. But just the same, the church workers are expected to take them with a smile, not to openly show that "grain of salt" thrown. The local church is a rare place to display and demonstrate the best expression of faith and the most productive handling of church concerns. Don’t be surprised to see "burnt-out" men and women mounting the pulpit week after week. On the other hand, support in prayers, provisions for family, friendship, love and care, and emotional inspiration are not wanting or lacking. God is still there in control of his children. Pure water from the Lord? Oh yes, it’s still there!
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Craig Barnes in his article, "Sometimes Ministry Stinks" observed: "Nothing in the ministry has the power to determine the pastor’s countenance. . . . The pastor is even free to determine if he or she will continue to be a pastor." And he quoted Viktor Fankl’s words, too: "The last of the human freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances."
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The Christian ministry is everywhere. Our seminary graduates are everywhere. Everywhere is a venue to serve the Lord, but it is also a place to undo what a pastor has learned from their seminary professors and classmates, or even from their experiences and exposures. Where are our graduates? Wherever they are they are expected to reflect the love and forgiveness of their Master and Lord, a part of the solution, not the problem.
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SEPTEMBERFEST
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Last week of September was designated as "Sports Festival 2004." An opening worship service was conducted by Rev. Dr. Afrie Songco-Joye and her mentoring group. She is the faculty in-charge of chapel service for the week.
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First day was capped by a parade of "athletes and coaches" around the PCU-UTS campus. Dr. Oscar Suarez, PCCL President and concurrently UTS OIC gave the inspirational talk during the opening program. The cheering squad competition was done in the morning. Palarong Pinoy (luksong tinik, hilaang lubid, habulan sa sako, pahabaan, mario palingkero, kainan relay, itlog mo, talong ko, volleyball) and international games (badminton, basketball) were staged on the first day.
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The second day activities included the following: athletics (100 meter-dash, 200 meter-dash, 4 x 100 meter-relay, marathon), scrabble, table tennis, chess, darts, basketball, volleyball.
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Championship games were played on the last day, capped by a holy communion celebration led by Dr. Songco-Joye. Awarding of prizes was done in the evening.
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CONCERT AT THE SALAKOT
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September 23, 2004, evening, was a night for music students to shell out what they have learned from their professors. These were students in the Bachelor of Religious Education, Bachelor of Theology and Master of Divinity programs. The mentors: Dr. Ruth Mandac-Arichea and Prof. Nomeriano de Guia.
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OPERATED
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Rev. Antonio Pacudan, TEE Director, had undergone surgery at the De la Salle Hospital during the first week of September. He is now on campus for his fast recovery.
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REV. PATIO APPOINTED
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Rev. Joel G. Patio, UMC ordained elder from South Tarlac District, PAMPAC and UTS part-time faculty member was appointed by the administration to serve as Coordinator of UTS Computerization Program effective July 1, 2004. Rev. Patio is a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Mapua Institute of Technology, 1990. He earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1994 from the UTS. He is married to Ruth Gascon, a UCCP minister who also finished her Master of Divinity degree from UTS. He teaches Hebrew and Old Testament courses, while pursuing his Master of Theology at the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology based at UTS.
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REFUERZO, ACADEMIC DEAN
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Rev. Dr. Homer Wesley O. Refuerzo, D.Min., got his appointment as full UTS Academic Dean during the Commission on Theological Education (C.T.E.) meeting on September 6, 2004 effective August 2004. He had served as acting academic dean and administrative assistant to the UTS OIC recently. He also teaches courses in the Practical Theology area.
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ROY LACERNA, 45
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The Rev. Roy Lacerna, 45, recently appointed district superintendent of Isabela Central Mountain Province District, North Central Philippines Annual Conference (UMC)died on Sept. 12, 2004 due to cardiac arrest.
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DS Lacerna, earned his Master of Divinity degree from UTS on March 21, 1992. He is survived by his spouse, Janet Maqued-Lacerna and children Rojaman, Jarosan and Roel. He had served churches in Isabela and other northern provinces before he became a DS.
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WEBSITES INSTALLED
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Two E-websites at the seminary grounds are already operational, administered by the Registrar’s Office and the Alumni Affairs desk. Visit them for pieces of information you may have wanted to know: http://uts-registrar.blogspot.com; http://uts-alumni.blogspot.com. E-mail the registrar for pieces of information you deem right to be included in the blog: revagg@aya.yale.edu; revagg@hotmail.com

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