THE DIVINITY SCHOOL

Silliman University

Dumaguete City

MINISTRIES OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) AND THE

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST U.S.A.

I am happy to report to you that the 50th Church Workers Convocation initiated by Silliman University Divinity School (SUDS) with the theme: "SUSTAINING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION FOR A CHRIST-LIKE MINISTRY was successfully undertaken on August 28-30, 2011. The event was participated in by 450 Church Workers and guests from all over the Philippines and abroad.

To set the tone of the convocation was a powerful keynote address by Dr. Lourdino Yuzon,who was our former dean, former President of Silliman University, former Executive Secretary for Mission and Evangelism of the Christian Conference of Asia and he also used to work as pastor in the U.S. and Sweden.

The one who expounded the theme was our former professor and dean, former Vice President for Academic Affairs of Silliman U. and now President of Union Theological Seminary in Cavite Philippines, Dr. Everett L. Mendoza.

Our Bible Study facilitator was Dr. Josie Calixto, a New Testament Scholar who is connected with the Philippine Christian University in Manila.

Since SUDS is just ten years away from it centennial year, part of the convocation activity was the launching of Centennial Lecture Series, given Dr. Valentino Sitoy, also our former professor, dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs of SU.

Our Closing speaker was Rev. Mildred Mumar-Tequis whose ministry was mostly working as a pastor in the different local churches of the UCCP in the Visayas and Mindanao. For few years she also taught in one of the UCCP Seminary in Mindanao particularly in Cotabato.

All of the above speakers were alumni of SUDS.

Basically, there were two major worship services, the opening and the closing. We also had morning devotions of about 30 minutes on August 29-30. The one on the 29th was a bit longer since it was a memorial service for all SUDS alumni who had already joined their creator.

Aside from major lectures, Bible Studies and worship services the participants also had a chance to choose a topic of their interest from among the five mini-lecture groups with the following topics: "Spiritual Care: An Anatomy of Pastoral Identity" with Dr. Lucio Mutia; "Prison Ministry" with Revs. Joel and Callum Tabada, "Liturgy and Music: Of Church Worship and Christ-like Praxis" with Dr. Ferdinand Anno; Peace Talks: Challenges to the Church" with Dr. Muriel Orevillo-Montenegro and Mr. Ednar Dayanghirang, a member of the government peace panel negotiating with the National Democratic Front; and "preparing Pastors for Retirment with Rev. Joe Malayang as facilitator. Since these interest groups were held simultaneously in the afternoon of August 29, the pastors joined the group of their interest. We were delighted that all of these lectures were well attended.

One of the highlights during the closing worship was the giving of the plaque of appreciation to two of our benefactors who have contributed to our scholarship endowment. Indeed, every year beginning this year until 2021 the SUDS Centennial year we will invite at least two of our benefactors based in the Philippines and abroad to be given plaques. This year we had Dr. and Mrs. Rowland Van Es who used to work in SUDS as Old Testament and English Professors respectively for about 20 years and now based in the U.S. after their retirement. The other one was Dr. Raymond Whitehead, a Canadian who used to work as missionary to China and for about two years also worked with us.

The most important highlight though during the closing worship was the awarding of the yearly DIAKONIA AWARDS to 4 five SUDS alumni who have spent their lives working in the church and church related institutions. One of them was Bishop Erme Camba. For a number of years now, every year we award 3-5 alumni who excelled in their ministerial works.

At this juncture allow me to express our deep gratitude and appreciation for your continued untiring support to our annual church workers convocation. Through this yearly even our alumni and non-alumni church workers alike are given the opportunity to gather for fellowship and continuing theological education.

May our gracious and loving God continue to richly bless you and your ministry.

Prepared by,

Rev. Lope B. Robin, Th. D. 

6200 Dumaguete City, Philippines

SU Telephone 225-2410/422-6002 Loc. 450/451

Email: divinity@su.edu.ph divinityschool21@yahoo.com