The UTS Newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 9, February 2005

01 March 2005

Dear Co-workers in Jesus Christ:

Greetings from UTS. I am sending you our latest issue of The UTS ALUMNI Newsletter, Vol.2, No.9, Feb 05 for your update and information. Our prayers go with this. Regards and God bless.

Sincerely yours,

Rev. Anacleto G. Guerrero

UTS ALUMNI NEWSLETTER Editor

UTSAA Coordinator

UTS Registrar

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The UTS ALUMNI Newsletter

Volume 2. Number 9. February 2005

US MISSION TEAM VISITS UTS

A mission team from California-Nevada Annual Conference, particularly from two UMC local churches---Jackson UMC and Pinole UMC visited the UTS on February 7. Rev. Paul J. Cabotaje and Rev. Josue Florendo (UTS alumni), together with Rev. Linda Prendergast (Pinole UMC) led the group. On their way to Tagaytay City, they dropped by to meet administrators, faculty members, students and staff of the seminary. The following were on hand to meet the team: Dr. Homer Wesley O. Refuerzo (Academic Dean /Faculty), Dr. David Pascua (Field Education Director/ Faculty), Prof. Revelation Velunta (Bible Area Coordinator/Faculty), Dr. Afrie Songco-Joye (Faculty), and Rev. Anacleto G. Guerrero (Registrar/UTSAA Coordinator/Faculty). UTS alumni pastors from Good Samaritan UMC, Quezon City --Revs. Hermogenes Emma-nuel C. Cera, Jr., Cleto N. Pera and Hilario Carolino accompanied the team. Some of the pastors in the team preached in Metro Manila on February 6. The team visited districts and local churches in the Baguio Episcopal Area (UMC) after their visitations in Metro Manila and before returning to the USA. According to Rev. Paul Cabotaje the team is not related to the other mission groups that have already visited the country. He added that this mission is the first of its kind from Jackson and Pinole believers.

Straight from the Heart . . .

By Rev. Anacleto G. Guerrero

UTSAA Coordinator/Editor

Time ticks so fast to the finish line, April 1, for the senior students, candidates for graduation this school year. Many things, actually requirements, are to be considered seriously by the Academic Affairs Committee, Faculty, and finally by the Commission on Theological Education. Many have accomplished the requirements, some with “flying colors” and others with “plain colors” if there is such a term. But we can hardly spot a color for some who have to deal with their asterisked marks---“Incomplete[s]” or “No Grade[s]” marks. Found out, painfully, are some students who have no grades because they have not reported to their professors, or they have not enrolled in the subjects, or they did not inform their professors or the registrar’s office on their adding or dropping their subject[s]. There exists also a perennial problem of Official Transcript of Records (and Special Orders), Conference Endorsements (whether from the local church, district conference or from the annual conference or jurisdictional areas). Evidently, there are problems of recruitment of candidates for full time ministry, not to mention the significance of scholarship and support---financial and otherwise. Many of our church leaders appear to be not aware, or have no concern or not sensitive as to how our residential students manage their stay on campus. Or, they do not really care, or worse still, they refuse to care for the brethren. Painful as it is, many of our students, especially those who brought their families with them, have to do “other works” (not “jobs”) to have both ends meet, whatever this means. How can they manage to understand the books they read, or to wisely surf in the internet, or to organize their reaction papers and book reviews when they are occupied looking for food? Something must be done, really, Manong Juan and Manang Maria.

And what about the Bible Content Examination for all students? Or the Comprehensive Examination for the seniors? Statistics and/or reports reveal that there are students who did not pass the examinations, and they have to take a second shot, and to others another last attempt. Inevitably, our would be graduates will be our church workers, religious leaders, and other ministry-based takers. Based on the gathered data, where is the church going? How will the church be managed and taken care of? Que sera, sera?

The church’s larger hope for a better ministry tomorrow lies in the hands of church leaders, more specifically pastors, deaconesses and other mission workers. We are aware that the church is praying, hoping, depending on the leadership of those who are now in the field, those who are graduating, and those who are preparing themselves theologically, spiritually, emotionally, religiously, etc., to man the concerns and activities of the church. Through them we can glean a sketch of the church, and I did not say “picture of the church.” Very clearly, the sky reflects the shadows above the ground.

During the 2004 U.T.S. Commencement Exercises at the Grace Open Air Chapel one of those who walked down from the stage after receiving her “diploma” and so with an award raised a clenched fist. That left some questions and/or uncertain or unclear perception, if not a modest reflection about many of our graduates. To many of those who have attended that historical once-a-year event, it could have given a picture of a theological community we have today. In contrast, during the last regular chapel worship ser-vice at the Salakot in February 2005, in response to the benediction pronounced by the eloquent preacher, Bishop Eliezer Pascua, one of the active bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, we sang the last stanza of a Tagalog hymn which runs as follows:

“Sana’y sa paglisan sa iyong tahanan,

Aming manga [mga] puso ay iyong lukuban,

Na maging dambana ng ‘yong kabutihan,

Maging huwaran ng pagmamahalan.”

CHURCH WORKERS CONVOCATION

The Southern Luzon Jurisdictional Area (SLJA), UCCP, under the jurisdiction of Bishop Eliezer Pascua held a Tricon Convocation on February 22-24 at UTS. The theme: “Isang Iglesiya, Isang Pangitain, Isang Misyon.” The presentors were the following: Pastors Tessie Vertucio, Eric Miliambi-ling, Eric Baldonado. Facilitators: Joel Tendero, Mario Lati-do, and Cito Saliendra. Keynote address was delivered by Bishop Elmer Bolocon. Closing Worship preacher was Dr. Oscar Suarez, PCU President and concurrently UTS OIC.

Trivia: An Action of the U.T.S. Board of Trustees in 1962

62-91 VOTED: That the cottages for the Married Students constructed with funds provided by Mr. Kenneth McLennan be named “McLennan Cottages.”

CONSULTATION

On February 24 at the Salakot Chapel, at the instance of the Commission on Theological Education (C.T.E.) and the UTS Faculty, Dr. Homer Wesley Refuerzo, Academic Dean, conducted an open consultation regarding the academic schedule of the seminary whether the institution will implement a semestral or trimestral scheme. It was held in the evening. The Student Council through Joel Bengbeng, SC president, presented their stand. Pros and cons were heard from the students, staff, and faculty members. Observations and suggestions were noted to be forwarded to the C.T.E. for final consideration and approval. The academic community expects that this will be implemented this coming school year, 2005-2006 and beyond. The C.T.E. meets in March to consider, among others this issue. The academic community hopes to know the decision regarding the scheme before commencement day on April 1.

EXCHANGE PROGRAM CANCELLED THIS SUMMER

Dean Rev. Dr.Homer Wesley O. Refuerzo announced during the regular February Faculty Meeting the cancellation of the Students Exchange Program in Sweden this year. Last school year several Master of Divinity students spent their summer exposure in Stockholm. One student (who enrolled during the semester) and one visiting professor (who taught for several weeks) were at UTS before the summer exposure. The professor’s spouse and children joined her at the UTS compound. One of the UTS current professors was given an invitation to go for the exchange program after the end of the school year. The professor’s name will be made public after everything is arranged for the purpose.

SCHEDULE: March 31—Baccalaureate Service---7:30 pm; April 1—Alumni Lectures (10 am), Commencement Exercises (4:pm)

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Jesus said, “Watch out, and do not let anyone fool you.” –Matt. 24:4

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LENTEN SEASON AT UTS STARTS WITH ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

Two services at the Salakot Chapel were held on Ash Wednesday, February 9 to start the observance of the Lenten Season this year at the seminary campus. One was held early in the morning led by Bishop & Mrs. Daniel C. Arichea, Jr., and the other was held before noon conducted by two professors---Dr. Afrie Songco-Joye and Rev. George Buenaventura. In one of the services the leaders put ashes on the forehead of those who allowed themselves to have the mark. Holy Communion was also celebrated by the community.

PASTORS’ “Kids” AT U.T.S.

If you have not heard about this yet we would like you to know that there are several children of active pastors and deaconesses (a.k.a. “PKs”) from the whole archipelago, both from the United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ in the Philippines and other denominations, who are enrolled at U.T.S. during the last five years. If you want to “assist” (some say, “extend a helping hand”) to their parents out there in the mission field, please don’t hesitate to do so through these students. The “kids” are living testimonies of the ministries of their parents. Need we say more about their financial resources? Please write our Financial Assistance and Scholarship Committee for details.

Not to forget all our residential students, a large majority need financial help to carry on their studies and enhance their commitments and “calling” to serve God Almighty, most especially those who have brought their spouses and children to the community because there is no choice. We encourage you to write us and know more about these students. Your “investment” of love and care, prayers and financial help will eventually bear fruits in the local churches and other venues of ministry. Be assured that God is not unmindful of your sharing your blessings and resources to these students. Do write our school administrators, the Scholarship Committee, or people you know in the seminary for details. We will be more than willing to share pieces of information about them to you.