A Year of Vibrant and Creative Activities

by Eleazar Fernandez | published on Mar 27, 2017

It has been a year of vibrant and creative activities. Let me highlight a few.

In line with UTS’s goal of making theological education more accessible, portable, and affordable, we have pursued and fined tuned our hybrid (online and face-to-face) offerings, which include both degree and certificate programs. For our Innovative Theological Education Program (a certificate program), we conducted two seminars for two groups: (1) Southwest Philippines Annual Conference (UMC) in Silang, Cavite (June 27-July 1, 2016) and (2) Bicol Philippines Provisional Annual Conference (UMC) in Daet (November 21-23, 2016).

We had a successful 109th Founding Anniversary and Annual Convocation (November 15-17, 2016). The event’s substance was rich and diverse in expressions. In addition to presentations from invited speakers, including former Presidents of UTS (Bishop Emerito Nacpil, Rev. Dr. Mariano Apilado, and Rev. Dr. Romeo del Rosario) as well the current one (Rev. Dr. Eleazar Fernandez) and the chair of the BOT (Bishop Danny Arichea, Jr.), we had the doctoral conferral of The Reverend Liberato Bautista and his delivering of the Reynaldo and Clarita Lopez Peace Lecture.

Conferral of Doctor of Divinity Degree

At the beginning of the year, we started our new partnership with Yushan Theological College and Seminary (Taiwan). A professor and three students from Yushan came to UTS (January 6-25, 2017) to teach and attend classes respectively. UTS will also have its turn to send faculty and students in March 2017.

Immediately after our Yushan partners left for their homeland, we welcomed our visiting professor and lecturer, Dr. Rolf Nolasco, of Providence University College & Seminary, Calgary, Canada. Prof. Nolasco delivered/facilitated two workshop-seminars: The first topic was Compassionate Presence: A Radical Response to Human Suffering. The second one was The Contemplative Counselor: A Way of Being. He also taught Pastoral Care and Counseling 2 and Advanced Pastoral Care.

Lastly, one major and well-attended event that we just concluded was the Paghilom: Cavite Arts Camp and Festival. It was the first event of its kind that UTS launched. Participants were varied from high school to seminary students and professional artists, and from Filipinos to other nationalities (Germans, North Americans, and neighboring Asian countries).

Arts Camp and Festival

Submitted by:

Eleazar Fernandez serves as a Long-term volunteer with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. His appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts.