Sillman University 2011 Church Workers Convocation Report

Church Workers Report

 

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