The UTS Times November 2014 - Union Theological Seminary

THE UTS TIMES NOVEMBER 2014
Issue 2
The UTS
Times
November 2014
THE SEMINARY COMMUNITY WELCOMES YOU!
UTS LAUNCHES
UTOS AND ITEP
Union has launched two
pioneering programs under the
leadership of Rev. Eleazar S.
Fernandez, PhD., President and
Academic Dean.
UTOS (Union Theological Open
Seminary) builds on the gains of
the 40-year-old TEE (Theological
Education by Extension) program
and is conceptualized as the
seminary’s alternative delivery
system of education. By offering
technology-based distance
education, UTOS will
complement existing TEE
offerings by providing more
contact hours, more direct
supervision, and access to more
learning resources.
UTOS will also offer a bridge
course that will allow Bachelor of
Ministry graduates to acquire a
Bachelor of Theology degree
within one academic year. The
Master of Ministry to Master of
Divinity bridge course in planned
next.
ITEP (Innovative Theological
Education Program) is designed
to “start where church people are
and build on what they have.” In
partnership with churches and
church-related institutions, ITEP
will provide contextual and
relevant short term and intensive
courses. ITEP aims to be a critical
resource of continuing education
programs for clergy and lay
107TH FOUNDATION DAY ISSUE
people. Both programs,
according to Dr. Fernandez,
provide learners, an education
that is portable, affordable, and
adaptable.
For more information, contact the Office
of the Academic Dean, +6346-416-0451.
GCORR FUNDS UTS
DVCS PROGRAM
The United Methodist Church’s
General Commission on Religion
and Race (GCORR) will fund the
seminary’s DVCS program.
The program, Diakonia in Vital
Conversations and Services (DVCS), is an
18-month undertaking with the NCCPPUEEN (Program Unit on Ecumenical
Education and Nurture) and SPMCI
(Southern Philippines Methodist
Colleges, Inc.) as partner institutions.
THE UTS TIMES NOVEMBER 2014 | Issue 2
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Prof. Connie Semy Mella, Associate
Dean of Academic Affairs, is the
designated initiative manager of the
DVCS.
The official communication reads: “This
project aims to increase the intercultural
competency of 50 seminarians through
ecumenical education, community
integration, dialogue and selfexpression. Each participating
seminarian will launch an intercultural
initiative that will reach at least 50
younger or more diverse people in his or
her ministry.” The grant is $50,595.24.
For more details about the grant please
visit: http://umc-gbcs.org/faith-inaction/1.2-million-grants-from-gcorr
UTS PUBLICATIONS NOW
AVAILABLE ON KINDLE
FORMAT AT
AMAZON.COM
Several of the seminary’s
publications are now available on
Amazon.com. These include
“Anumang Hiram Kung Hindi
Masikip ay Maluwang” and
“Babaylan,” Volumes 1 and 2.
UTS’S F.A.I.T.H.
CIRILO DEL CARMEN
INAUGURAL
LECTURE
The Inaugural Lecture of the
Cirilo del Carmen Lectureship in
Pastoral Care and Counseling will
open Union’s 107th Foundation
Anniversary and Church Workers
Convocation. This is scheduled in
the afternoon of November 11,
2014.
Rev. Jose Andres Sotto, Ph.D, is
the inaugural lecturer.
The UTS Student Government,
UTS Geocentric Applied
Theology Center, and the UTS
Administration share a
partnership of F.A.I.T.H. (Fowl
Available In The Home [of the
Prophets]).
MCC Leaders visit UTS
Students, particularly the Juniors,
have taken the lead in taking care
of the poultry farm. The chickens,
free-range and confined, offer the
community a source of protein.
Chicken for meals during
November’s convocation will
come from our own coop.
Rev. West gave the homily and
Rev. Philips celebrated the
Eucharist during the worship
service. Two current MDiv.
students: Nerisse Karen Kaye
Pamaran, a senior, and Cris
Joseph Tiu, a junior, are from
MCC. The Seminary is a "safe
space" for the LGBT Community
and advocates for gender justice.
Similar partnerships are in the
planning stages.
Union Theological Seminary, Philippines
Rev. Mona West and Rev.
Stedney Phillips of the
Metropolitan Community
Church (MCC) in the U. S. visited
Union last September 25.
More titles are forthcoming. The
anthologies are available at US$5.99
or less. Amazon Prime and Kindle
Unlimited members can get these
for free.
THE UTS TIMES NOVEMBER 2014 | Issue 2
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UTS is one of MCC’s designated
ministerial formation centers. Our
partnership with MCC and the
participation of their members
and pastors in the UTS
Community is a concrete
expression of the ÙCCP’s position
on the LGBTs; that is to "Let
Grace Be Total."
DINNER DANCE FOR UTS
The Philippine American College
of Clergy hosted a dinner-dance
and silent auction for the
benefit of UTS last October 24 in
Chicago.
UTS President, Rev. Eleazar S.
Fernandez gave the welcome
greetings and expressed deep
gratitude for the alumni and
friends who continue to journey
with the seminary community.
Dr. Juan M. Flavier, 79
MOURNING HAS BROKEN
(Haiyan/Yolanda Memorial)
[more coverage on page 4]
Mourning has broken,
Like ev’ry mourning
Lives have been broken,
Thousands left dead
Praise for the singing,
Communities rising
Poor folk rebuilding,
Honor their dead
FERNANDEZ APPOINTS
PASCUA AND TANGUNAN
TO INTERIM POSTS
Sweet the world’s caring,
Manna from heaven
Each other’s keepers,
One body, one mass
The proceeds of the event will go
to student housing renovations
and repairs.
Rev. Eleazar S. Fernandez,
Seminary President and Dean,
has made two interim
appointments effective
November 1, 2014.
Rev. Dr. Dave Pascua will serve as
Business and Operations
Administrator while Rev. Dr.
Wilfredo Tangunan will serve as
Director of the Doctor of Ministry
program.
Union Theological Seminary, Philippines
Dr. Juan Flavier, former Senator,
former Department of Health
Secretary, Doctor to the Barrios, and
one of the most generous supporters
of UTS went to be with the Lord last
October 30, 2014. We celebrate his life
and mourn his passing.
WHAT’S NEW ON
CAMPUS?
Working together,
Welcome each morning
God recreating
Every new day.
Welcome the sunlight,
Rise from our mourning
Labor ‘til twilight,
So children can play
Crucified peoples,
God’s resurrection
Our liberation,
Three days away!
[Sing to the tune of “Morning Has
Broken.” Words by Revelation E.
Velunta.]
A new Goshen Farm kiosk is underway…
A new labyrinth is rising…
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climate change, and so on and so
forth, you have chosen to partner
with us.
Solar Panel at Salakot…
For whom the Bell Tolls…
Contemporary works of art…
Excerpts from Seminary
President’s Letter to the
Filipino-American College of
Clergy in Chicago
…We are grateful for the FilipinoAmerican College of Clergy in
Chicago for choosing us as your
partner in making our dreams a
reality. You have heard the call
and you said “yes.”
You have seen the need and
acted on it. You have become our
inspiration, a beacon of hope. In
a world of precarious global
economy, the scare of Ebola crisis
knocking on our doorsteps, the
ever widening inequality in
society, the very real threats of
Union Theological Seminary, Philippines
Thank you for your yearly student
scholarship support and for
taking the additional challenge of
helping us renovate a McLennan
cottage. For all that you are and
for all that you have done and will
do for UTS, we are immensely
grateful.
As you dance the evening away,
may you find vitality, enthusiasm,
joy, and hope. We are not beaten
down. God is still speaking. As a
community gathered together,
your dance is a witness to our
common aspiration and hope. In
dancing through the night, you
have nourished our resolve to
pursue the mission of UTS.
To all the people behind the
scene, I congratulate you for your
commitment and perseverance.
May you all have an enjoyable
and productive celebration!
127 DANCE FOR UTS
"celebration of the gift that we
are to each other and to the wider
world," as written by Dr.
Fernandez in his greetings.
The other fundraiser consists of
visits to churches where Filipino
members are in the majority.
Second mile offerings were
received during those visits. So
far, we have surpassed our goal of
raising $5,000.00. We continue to
make the appeal for the
renovation of one housing unit of
the McLennan cottages.
A group of able-bodied men and
women from Chicago will be in
Dasmarinas in January 26-30,2015
to do finishing touches on the
unit. They will also do yard work
and whatever needs to be done.
To the faculty and staff at UTS,
thank you for being our "hands,
legs, and heads" in educating and
equipping future ministers.
[Report and photos from Phoebe
M. Amago, Treasurer, Philippine
American College of Clergy]
A dinner dance was held on
October 24 as one of the two
fundraisers for UTS’s married
student housing in Dasmarinas,
Cavite, Philippines. The
fundraising turned out to be a fun
celebration. There were 127 in
attendance.
The Philippine American College
of Clergy, mindful of the
challenge that Rev. Dr. Eleazar
Fernandez presented during one
of his visits, rose to the occasion
by rallying all these supporters to
attend the event. Indeed, it was
THE UTS TIMES STAFF
Zion Cleto, Lizette Tapia-Raquel,
and Revelation Velunta
Dr. Flavier photos, courtesy of Joy
Flavier-Alampay
Photos by Zion Cleto
Book Images from Amazon.com