The UTS Alumni Newsletter: Vol.2, No.6, November 2004

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E. G. DOMINGUEZ: D.D.
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One of the highpoints during this school year’s celebration of the Union Theological Seminary’s 97th Founding Anniversary and Annual Church Workers’ Convocation on November 21-23 was the conferral of Doctor of Divinity, Honoris Causa, to one of the former professors of Bible (particularly the Old Testament) at UTS---Prof. Elizabeth Gravador-Dominguez.

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Dr. Dominguez was born in Bayanan, Negros Oriental on September 18, 1934. She is married to a retired bishop of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the Rev. Bishop Benito Dominguez, who also had served as professor of New Testament at UTS. Nathan Ben is their son. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953 from Silliman University, Dumaguete City . She started her theological studies at Silliman University and completed the Bachelor of Divinity, cum laude, at Union Theological Seminary on March 14, 1961. She earned her Master of Sacred Theology degree from Andover Newton Theological School. Her doctoral units in Biblical Studies were taken from Vanderbilt University, USA. She had taught at the following theological institutions from 1963-1995: UTS; Silliman University; Southeast Asia Graduate School of Theology; Inter-Congregational Theological Center, at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Indiana); and at the United Theological College (Parramatta, Australia). She had served as Missionary-Theologian-in-Residence of the United Church of Christ USA. She had good exposures with the Association of Women in Theology (AWIT), the Theologians for Renewal, Unity and Transformation (THRUST), and the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT). She was one of ten women who founded in 1996 Tuburan Foundation and served as its Executive Director until this year. The foundation is based in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

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By the way, the Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree "is conferred honoris causa upon persons who have rendered distinguished service in the work of ministry." The seminary is guided, among others, by the recipient’s outstanding pastoral service, church leadership, theological and biblical scholarship, dedicated advocacy work, and responsible involvement in the community.

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

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Edith Loane from County Dublin, Ireland, writing a devotional material, cited one of her friends’ conversation with an individual who asked her, "Is God to be found in leaves and flowers, in birds and animals?" Her answer was, "God is in all life, encircling us."

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The conversation could be passed as an ordinary conversation, or as a childish perspective; however, on second thoughts, is God really in leaves, flowers, birds and animals? You can even add to the list---anything "attached" to the ground? Unless a person sees God as the Creator of everything, or of all creation under the sun, the idea is nothing. Look again, close enough to feel the presence of anything around you---is God there?

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The Bible talks about seeds, both real and otherwise. An example could be found in Luke 8:11 stating that the "seed" is the "word of God." Even "grass" and "wild flowers" are mentioned to point out significant things (cf. 1 Peter 1:24). In the Gospel narratives, "birds" are mentioned; even "foxes" (cf. Matthew 6:26; 8:20). We can go on and on. We should be able to see beyond the physical realities of these creations the God we believe in.

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On the other hand, can we talk about our loving God as we see and behold nature around us? Do we experience his love as we touch a blade of grass, or feel a thorn beneath the rose buds? What about a fallen leaf that will decay and be a part of the ground to fertilize the plant that sprouts? And the thought that one day we will return to the dust? Creation! It speaks about a God who became flesh---incarnate, that is---to save the sinner.

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At UTS where the green abounds and the air moves naturally, let the Spirit of God shake the foundations of complacency and indifference and allow the spirit of reconciliation and justice be felt to permeate the church with renewed strength and unity. Why are we here anyway? And what are our graduates doing in their own backyard? The leaves wave their challenge for commitment and change!

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3 UMC BISHOPS RE-ELECTED

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The three incumbent bishops of The United Methodist Church in the Philippines were re-elected during the Philippines Central Conference session held at Central United Methodist Church on November 24-28, 2004. Bishops Benjamin Justo (Baguio Episcopal Area), Solito K. Toquero (Manila Episcopal Area) and Leo Soriano (Davao Episcopal Area) were re-elected in that order. They will serve their second term for the next four years until 2008 as bishops of The United Methodist Church. The re-elected bishops earned their Bachelor of Divinity degrees at UTS. Our congratulations!

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UNION VOICE 2004

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The Editorial Board of Union Theological Seminary UNION VOICE came up with the October-November 2004 Issue in time for the 97th Founding Anniversary of UTS on November 21-23. It’s a 12-page, black and white, publication of the student body of the seminary. It speaks for itself. The Editorial Board is composed of Dr. Daniel N. Miranda, M.D., Master of Divinity student, as Editor-in-Chief. The members are the following: Sharon Brabante, Rowena Hular, Lani Pingo, and Jesus Villamin. There are guest writers who are also students. Articles and others are written in English and Pilipino.

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ENROLMENT: SY 2004-2005 SECOND SEMESTER

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As of November 30, 2004 a total of 199 residential students are enrolled this second semester, SY 2004-2005. The number is distributed as follows: Master of Divinity: 117 (I-34; II-36; III-31; special-2; irregular-6; interns-8); Bachelor of Theology: 46 (I-21; II-7; III-2; seniors-4; irregular-3; interns-9); Bachelor of Religious Education in Sacred Music: 13 (I-3; II-2; III-3; V-1; interns-2; special-1; irregular-1); Bachelor of Religious in Christian Education: 8 (I-4; II-2; III-1; irregular-1); Bachelor of Religious Education in Early Childhood Education: 15 (I-1; II-2; III-1; V-1; irregular-3; interns-7). Excluded in these figures are the students in the Bachelor of Ministry, Master of Ministry, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Ministry programs.

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Churches represented in the academic community are the following: The United Methodist Church (UMC): 118---Manila Episcopal Area--56; Baguio Episcopal Area--41; Davao Episcopal Area--21; United of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP): 70; IEMELIF: 1; Roman Catholic Church: 1; Lutheran Church:1; Baptist Church:2; Presbyterian Church:1; Seventh Day Adventist Church: 2; Taiwan Methodist Church: 1; UNIDA:1; UFMC: 1.

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The Doctoral Degree Citation:

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Union Theological Seminary
Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines

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Hereby confers upon
Professor Elizabeth Gravador-Dominguez
Teacher, Colleague, and Friend

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The degree of
Doctor of Divinity
Honoris Causa

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For over forty years of dedicated and faithful service to Union Theological Seminary as teacher and theological scholar.

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For passionately encouraging her students and colleagues to read the Bible through the lens of Philippine experience---challenging the community to bear witness to God and God’s liberating acts among the poor, the marginalized, the powerless, and the least of Jesus’s sisters and brothers.

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For her dedication to peacemaking, the quest for gender justice, and her solidarity with those who suffer, the UTS community considers itself especially blessed. In her work and participation in the life of the church she has outspokenly denounced the conventional boundaries of class, race, and gender in her desire to help usher in a community of equals that anticipates the reign of God in the here and now.

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With deep gratitude and deep respect this award is given this 23rd of November 2004 on the occasion of its 97th Founding Anniversary and Annual Convocation.

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UTS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING GETS A FACE LIFT

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Part of the exterior portion, particularly the frontage of the Administration Building that houses the Library and the offices of VPTE, Academic Dean, Registrar and faculty members was painted before the seminary anniversary and continues to date. It’s a timely project before two typhoons visited Cavite.