UTS Alumni Newsletter, Vol. 2, Number 5, October 2004

Volume 2, Number 5
October 2004

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FIRST SEMESTER ENDS OCTOBER 15

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Third week of October, October 15 to be exact, marked the end of the first semester of SY 2004-2005. We had two hundred and thirty-four (234) residential students. The last two weeks were marked with the "sportsfest," the final examinations and the thesis/major paper/project proposal defense of the senior students. The ball is now in the hands of the professor-mentors to evaluate and give grades to their students on November 8 as calendared.

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Faculty meetings, committee gatherings and ad-hoc groups met to tackle their respective concerns. The semester was relatively filled with activities---academic and communal. Consultations and dialogues were undertaken to face the demands of work and responsibilities. Next month, on November 21-23, we are celebrating the 97th Founding Anniversary coupled with the Alumni Lectures and conferral of a doctorate degree to a former UTS professor. Church leaders and church workers from both the mainline churches and others are expected to attend this occasion.

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Semestral break was on October 23 to November 1, inclusive. During these weeks a pre-enrolment scheme was implemented to give students opportunities to see their schedules and courses to enrol. First week of November is scheduled for enrolment proper. First day of classes will be on the 8th of November.

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2nd SEMESTER SCHEDULE: SY 2004-2005:

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Nov. 3-5, 2004 - Enrolment Period
Nov. 8, 2004 - Start of classes
Nov. 21-23, 2004

- 97th Founding Anniversary
Dec. 11, 2004-Jan.2, 2005

- Christmas Break
March 7-11, 2005

- Final Exams (Seniors)
March 28-30, 2005

- Final Exams
(Juniors & Middlers)
March 31, 2004

- Baccalaureate Service
April 1, 2005

- Alumni Lecture

& Commencement Exercises

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Straight from the Heart . . .
By: Rev. Anacleto G. Guerrero
Editor / UTSAA Coordinator

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John Schneider, an actor who starred in TV movies and feature films, in an interview said, "Life is more important than work. People make their work their life---and their god, their spouse, their kids, their everything. And one day the work goes away, and they’re left without nothing."

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Life and work, are they synonymous? To Schneider, it is not. But someone will say that the man is an actor which makes the big difference. Is there any parallel in another field, say, the ministry? Life and ministry, how does it sound? Try saying this: "Life is more important than ministry. People make their ministry their life---and their god, their spouse, their kids, their everything. One day the ministry goes away, and they are left with nothing." Hmmmmm.

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Why do men and women go to the seminary? Among others, why do students study theology and enrol in preaching? Why do they desire to learn Greek and Hebrew along the way? What is in church history and polity, music, Pauline and Johannine literature, name it, that students want to learn? What is in the seminary that people want? Ministry? Many have entered the ministry years before they were "endorsed" to come to the seminary. And they have to produce their transcript of records and cer-tifications of almost all sorts to be admitted. Oftentimes we hear students say that they needed the degree to be qualified for ordination. Ergo, they came to the seminary to be ordained. Or, in some cases, they came to the seminary to prove something, to themselves or to others, not really to be involved in the ordained or itinerant ministry after graduation. Furthermore, there are other reasons to mention why people come to theological education.

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At this point in time, let us revisit our mission as a seminary: "Union Theological Seminary, faithful to God’s call in Jesus Christ, seeks to promote theological education for ministry in the service of all creation." Our graduates, students, professors, staff and other community members in the seminary should be able to grasp the gist of this mission. And the vision: "Union Theological Seminary, in partnership with the churches, seeks to train students . . . . to be guided by God’s grace and empowered to serve . . . ." Clearly stated, isn’t it?

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Come to think of it. Life and ministry, or ministry and life? Do they blend? Is there a meeting point or demarcation line? Paul’s words to the Galatians could be considered: "This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me" (Galatians 2:20b GNB).

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HISTORICAL MARKER

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Below is a text reproduction of a marker/tablet found at the entrance of the oval fronting the Salakot Chapel, just before the flag pole. For records purposes this has stood 43 years on campus. Let every one remember this:

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THIS TABLET IS

HEARTILY DEDICATED

IN HONOR OF

NANKING THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY,

NEW YORK, U.S.A.,

FOR ITS DONATION OF THIS CAMPUS.

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FOR THIS KIND HELP, WE THANK GOD.

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DEDICATED ON NOVEMBER SEVEN

DURING THE YEAR OF OUR LORD,

ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE.

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DONE AT SAMPALOKAN, PALAPALA,

DASMARINAS, CAVITE, PHILIPPINES.

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FIRST SEM STATISTICS

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Bachelor of Theology: 44 (I-20; II-9; III-2; Interns - 9; V -4); Bachelor of Religious Education: Bachelor of Religious Education - Sacred Music: 15 (I-6; II-2; III-3; Interns-3; V-1; Special-1); Bachelor of Religious Education - Christian Education: 11 (I-6; II-2; III-3; Intern-0; V-0); Bachelor of Religious Educatioon-Early Childhood Education: 16 (I-0; II-3; III-3; Interns-7; V-3). Master of Divinity: 126 (I-43; II-38; Interns -8; IV-33; Special Students-4). Doctor of Ministry: 20. Master of Theology: 1; Doctor of Theology: 1.

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Denominational representations are the following: United Methodist Church: 123; United Church of Christ in the Philippines: 75; Presbyterian Church: 3; Unida Church: 2; Baptist Church: 2; Roman Catholic Church: 2; Seventh Day Adventist Church: 1; Lutheran Church: 1; IEMELIF: 1; Order of St. Aeired: 1.

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In the Doctor of Ministry program we have the following representations: Baptist Church: 5; United Methodist Church: 4; United Church of Christ in the Philippines: 3; Evangelical Holiness: 2; IEMELIF: 2; Seventh Day Adventist Church: 2; Presbyterian Church: 1; Pentecostal Church: 1.

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In the Master of Theology pro-gram we have a UMC. On the other hand, in the Doctor of Theology program we have a UCCP.

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T.E.E. PROGRAM

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One hundred thirty-three (133) students were enrolled in our Theological Education by Extension (T.E.E.) programs offered during the first semester. There are 108 students in the Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min.) Program: 54 UCCP; 36 UMC; 18 IEMELIF.On the other hand, there are 25 students in the Master of Ministry (M.Min.) Program: 1 UMC; and 1 Baptist; 13 UCCP; 10 IEMELIF.

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U.T.S. COMMUNITY COVENANT

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In keeping with the vision, mission and goals of

Union Theological Seminary

and our dedication to our Lord Jesus Christ,

we the members of

Union Theological Seminary community,

corporately and individually,

pledge to develop and maintain

the highest standards of conduct and scholarship.

We will show utmost respect and courtesy

to visitors and to members of our community.

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We pledge to refrain

from unkind acts and malicious gossip.

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We will observe diligence, punctuality,

and honesty in our studies.

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We pledge to abstain from

any form of cheating, lying and plagiarism.

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We will exhibit our commitment

to the community by being faithful stewards

of the facilities of Union Theological Seminary,

the resources of the library,

and the property of our peers.

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We pledge to abstain from vandalism,

stealing, and using without permission

things that do not belong to us.

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We will faithfully abide

by the rules and regulations

of the places in which we live.

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We pledge not to violate

these rules intentionally,

especially those that concern cleanliness,

orderliness, times of silence and restricted places.

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We will work together

with the whole community

to maintain the integrity of the environment,

including participation in the work program,

proper management of waste,

taking full responsibility for all animals in our care.

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We offer this pledge

for the honor and glory of God

so that we may be faithful witnesses

of the Gospel in the community and in the world