Another novelty of Henri Nouwen inspired our February lectionary theme - a book entitled “Life of the Beloved” published by Crossroad Publishing Company New York copyright 1992. He wrote this having in mind a man living in a very secular world and does not identify himself with any religious group. He first met this man in an interview for Connecticut Section in the New York Times Sunday edition and that meeting blossomed to a deep friendship. A religious engaged in stimulating conversations with an “a-religious” person, that is living without any membership to a religious aggrupation, brought Nouwen to a challenging way of presenting spiritual matters to the “non-church” (I prefer to use the term non-church than unchurched as people who may have sympathies for church endeavors but just prefer to stay away from the church community for whatever personal reasons. For me “non-church people” have a different way of looking at spirituality which may even be deeper than those who claim to be “churched people.”)

Anyway, Nouwen tried to present the spiritual dimension of human existence by proposing as a thesis or statement that humans are God’s beloved, taken or chosen, blessed, broken and given. These four words took me to very deep moments of reflecting on what it is to be called as Beloved of God, hence, I thought of using this to our life as a church community this February being Church Membership Renewal Month in the whole of UCCP. Is it not more empowering to reflect and study as one community what it is indeed to live as God’s beloved people?

I see our “belovedness” of God as breaking barriers of gender, social class, nationality, age, political persuasions and other differences and divisions. Our

“belovedness” of God brings us to the truth that God created humans in God’s image, chosen from the rest of creation to do a special task of caring for all God’s creatures, chosen to become a channel of God’s lovingkindess poured out as blessing, broken to be a balm of healing for those in pain and given or offered in “death” to bring forth new life. These four words truly contain profound insights that when articulated in a spirit of openness and dialogue of the heart, the whole church would see its purpose and direction.

Our belovedness of God is not an end to itself, a goal to be pursued but a means so that the world would know God. Experiencing our belovedness is equivalent to experiencing God’s unconditional love demonstrated in Jesus Christ’s loving service. I remember being interviewed by a Senior student of the University of Philippines on his thesis focusing on the journey of women clergy in the UCCP. He is a Sociology student researching on the dynamics of church life vis a vis the status of women clergy. His questions seem to be aimed at drawing experiences of being treated as “second class” church worker especially when our conversation was led to the outlook of the church on women pastors. I said that I salute the women pastors before me who must have faced more difficulties in “proving” themselves as worthy of God’s call, for I did not have to deal with such issues. I said with deep conviction when he asked me for my closing words that at the end of the day, what would matter most is not our gender being a man or a woman but being God’s Beloved. That’s it! Our gender and other differences would be means to strengthen, deepen and enhance our being Beloved of God just as Jesus was called “My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” upon his baptism in the Jordan River.

If we see every human being as God’s beloved like ours, following Jesus’ model of ministering to people we will care for them, we will love them with compassion for in our belovedness, God gives us gifts to lift up as well and

d’newsnewsMONTLY PUBLICATION OF SABANG CHURCH OF CHRIST DISCIPLES

FEBRUARY 2010 VOLUME 8, NUMBER 2

DON PLACIDO CAMPOS AVE., SABANG, DASMARINAS, CAVITE 4114,PHILIPPINES TEL NO : 416-0221

By Pastor Ma. Beate M. Hernandez

draw from each person his/her own belovedness to celebrate and live out!

Lectionary and Schedule of Preachers forFebruary –

Membership Renewal Month

Theme: “Living as God’s Beloved Community”7 “Being Taken as God’s Beloved”

OT: Genesis 12:1-9 NT: 1 Peter 2:9-12Preacher: Pastor Leng Lubang

14 “Blessed to be a Blessing”OT: Genesis 32:22-32 NT: Colossians 3:12-17Preacher: Pastor Bea Hernandez

21 “Broken as Bread for the World”OT: Job 23:1-12 NT: John 6:35-40Preacher: Pastor Ronell Hernandez

28 “Given as Living Sacrifice”OT: 1 Samuel 15:17-23 NT: Hebrews 10:5-10Preacher: Pastor Leng Lubang

“BLESSED to be a BLESSING”

God be with you till we meet again, By His counsels guide, uphold you, With His sheep securely fold you, God be with you till we meet again. Refrain: Till we meet at Jesus’ feet; Till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.

So goes the lyrics of the parting blessing Hymn “GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN.” Words written by Jer e mi ah E. Rank in , this was written as a Christian goodbye. It was called forth by no person or occasion, but was deliberately composed as a Christian hymn on the basis of the etymology (The origin or derivation of a word) of “good-bye,” which is “God be with you.” It was sung for the first time one evening in the First Congregational Church in Washington. This parting blessing hymn is known to be a wedding of words and music. This benediction song became part of my growing years at UCCP Ellinwood Malate Church, one of the many heart warming songs at church service, my mom and dad would agree.

Its main purpose is to impose reminder of God’s protection to those who will depart from the community of faith. As we celebrate Church Membership Renewal Month this February, it is fitting to share about blessing,

A benediction. Benediction is an invocation of divine blessing, usually at the end of a church service. It is an expression of “good wishes.”

We are called beloved of God because of His mighty acts, and it does not require any condition; it is regardless of our differences, color, social class and affirmation. God is God, and God’s love is endless. Humans will get off the course but God will remain, humans will turn back because of persecution but God is always faithful. The best and worst of humans cannot change the plan of God. We are therefore called “blessed”, this unchanging grace of God that is given and taken is blessing, so as the partaking of the Bread, the EUCHARIST (meaning the good grace of God) is the audacity of God’s blessing to us. Let us get away from the traditional knowledge of blessing as pure wealth, income, comfort and well being. Blessing is accountability; when you release blessing you proclaim your accountability towards the other. Greeks call this "oikonomia" meaning stewardship. We are blessed with blessings that are not ours, but God’s. When we give, we return it to God, the Owner. We are giving back God’s rightful portion. The more we are given, the more will be expected of us.

Monks live a monastic life and they have their way of living as a blessed community. They were defined as people who balance the practice of labor (work) and labora (prayer). As we walk in this life of labor may we also keep rooted in labora. We are challenged to become a blessing, because we have been blessed even before our thoughts had known the world. We are already called “blessed community.” As a blessed community we belong to a fellowship, the Body of Christ and it is here where we practice giving of blessing, and releasing our lifetime accountability to those we bless. So every time you say a blessing to others, remember that you have already given your life to them. If only humans know this by heart, only then will we see the fullness of LIVING as a BLESSED COMMUNITY.

Broken as Bread for the WorldOur theme for this month signifies what is ideal for every individual. That each member’s satisfaction and achieving of every dream is beneficial not only for him/herself but to all. It is an ideal rooted in the

by: Rev. Ronell A. Hernandez

Scripture, declaring God’s will for humanity, proclaiming: justice, peace and integrity of all creation.

In the Christian faith, brokenness is never only affiliated to SAPPER 1of life. More so, brokenness must be an accepted attitude as ZAPPER2, a positive energy to bless a person, society and such community. The Eucharist or the Lord’s SUPPER as instituted by Christ Jesus is not only telling his disciples about the coming persecution he is facing in the following hour. But as He instituted it, he prognosticates or foretells the living attitude of a servant sacrificed for the common welfare. The breaking of bread reminds us literally the historical Jesus’ wounded and bleeding body. Thus, as His disciples contemplate the tragic death their spirit groans in pain to partake such burden. Jesus implicitly used the breaking of bread to delegate or distribute to His disciples the messianic act of God to redeem the world from annihilation or judgment day. Hence, Christians SUFFER to be a spiritual food for the lost world. The taking on of suffering by a mature Christian becomes a well spring of a thirsty soul.

Nowadays, many people are suffering from different illnesses like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, tumor etc. For those who don’t have a deep relationship with God in Christ Jesus, hopelessness occurs in life. They easily give up on life as they face difficulties, pressures and stress. Matured Christians, however, who have a deep understanding of faith and relationship with God can still sing hymns, spiritual songs of praise to God. In loneliness and pain, in emptiness and loss, in affliction and adversities they can always find God’s message not only for personal but also for all the people that surrounds them.

As beloved community of faith, we are joined together for one purpose, to establish God’s kingdom here on earth the same as it is in heaven. In Christian diversity, God intentionally created everything unique from each other, in order to acknowledge own limitation and strength, while trusting God to bless every endeavor in giving glory to Christ. In each one’s differences everyone has their own participation and contribution. The gathering of every member of the community testifies God’s calling and invitation to work together in achieving God’s abundant blessing, experience and witness shared for everyone’s longing.

The brokenness also shows the reality of division yet being a part of the community where you are

1 (one who sapped another’s fortifications)2 (an electrical device that can injure or kill by means of electric currents as the dictionary defines)

comfortable. For such objective, the challenge starts in the time of solitary moments. Where the skill and talents being chase in proving God’s equipping. In scripture, “The Lord is the everlasting God… He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faith.” (Isaiah 40:31)

The Palawan Mission Trip: A Recounting of Experiences

by Pastor Leng Lubang

The Preparations

The Lowland Cavite South Manila Conference United Church Workers Organization (LCSMC UCWO) in its General Assembly last year set Palawan as the place to visit and hold the Annual Continuing Theological Education and Retreat for 2010. And it indeed came into fulfilment on January 17-22, 2010 bringing 57 church workers to this place considered as the country’s “Last Frontier.” A briefing was called about two weeks prior to this trip, January 13, 2010 at UCCP Anabu where concerns like getting a Malaria vaccine or bringing “Off Lotion” (mosquito repellant) and coordinating closely with the community barangay officials of our coming so as to get security and many others came out. Concerns that seem to put Palawan as a “danger zone”, huh! Anyway, the organizers did all their best, both from LCSMC and PAC (Palawan Associate Conference) to provide the necessary protection for everyone. Not having sufficient time to gear up for this trip due to much work load in church, some church workers ended up not having any malaria shot much less an insect repellant in his/her luggage. The whole group just went and opened up to whatever surprises that would come our way, first of which was the delay in the series of Cebu Pacific flights to Palawan that Sunday, January 17 and a long queue of passengers checking in on our way back Friday, January 22 in the Puerto Princesa airport. According to the locals in Palawan, it’s not something surprising. Flights to Palawan are always delayed, thus, lesson number one is to let go of time and let events happen not according to punctuality of time but readiness of everyone whether the airplane, the venue or people themselves.

PAC Mission Challenges and Early Beginnings

The whole week was scheduled in such a way that lectures or inputs were done on the first day, Monday and the succeeding days as travels and visitation. Lecture on Clergy-Lay Partnership by Pastor Leng Lubang as resource person put into a wider perspective the missionary task as God’s work and God’s people (clergy and

lay) invited to participate in it for personal and communal transformation. The Conference Minister of PAC Rev. Ruben Tigcal provided an overview of mission opportunities and challenges in Palawan. He described as well the five Outreaches that will be visited the following day, Tuesday by the five smaller groups. These were Inagawan, Plaridel, Mangingisda, Bantoto and Basiao. These places except for Basiao which is part of another town, Quezon, belong to Puerto Princesa City which covers places as far as 100 km or so radius.

In his session, CM Tigcal shared a brief history of UCCP mission work in Palawan which started in the 50s/60s in the northern and southern tip of the province, not in the center where Puerto Princesa lies. It is amazing how migrants from Antique started the church in Dumaguena, one of the oldest churches in PAC, named after Dumangas where settlers mostly came from. The story says that the pioneers of UCCP Dumaguena has a very strong identity of being UCCP that even in the years that followed wherein various denominations came and go trying to proselyte the members, they remained with UCCP despite weak connections to the seat of leadership. Praise be to God for the leadership of a lay person, Mr. Magtulis who later invited church workers to help him in the growing demand for spiritual nurturing in Dumaguena sometime in the 60s.

While the work in Southern Palawan is ongoing, a group in the north led by Pastor Abad was blossoming. These groups were not even aware of each other’s activities until in a wider church gathering of South Luzon Jurisdiction in the 70s in which Palawan was classified, they discovered God’s work in the province giving birth to Palawan Mission Conference under SLJ. In the early 90s, PMC was elevated to the status of Palawan Associate Conference with the aim of making it a regular Conference by 2000. Perhaps the political and economic growth in the province has also affected the progress and development of UCCP churches in the province. As an “archipelago” in itself, its geographical contiguity must have posed a big challenge in the administration of the churches. Its separateness from the main island of Luzon or the Visayas did not attract church workers to migrate and accept the call there. It must be recognized that only from within the locals there would the supply of church workers in Palawan could best be drawn from.

LCSMC-PAC-SCCD Partnerships

It was not the first time that LCSMC UCWO visited Palawan. In 2002, a group went there which paved the way for local churches in LCSMC like SCCD to adopt a church and initiate

partnerships. The LCSMC Annual Session in 2002 set up formally the partnership between the two conferences with the goal of helping PAC to be elevated to a regular conference status in 2006 Quadrennial General Assembly. It did not happen and so the partnership continued until the present but still the dream of PAC to be a full conference remained an “illusive dream.” Talks of continuing partnerships are laid on the table and in the Annual Session this year it will be presented and decided whether such partnership would remain as it has been or would evolve in another form.

SCCD has been actively involved in this Mission Partnership with PAC though only in form of monetary support of P1,000.00 per month. In 2002, SCCD sent support directly to a local church in District 5, UCCP Sicud which went on until 2006 where in response to the appeal of the Conference leadership to centralize all resources and support to PAC, SCCD remitted its monetary support through the LCSMC Office. It was only in this recent Mission Trip that the church workers of SCCD particularly Pastor Leng heard what happened to UCCP Sicud as a result of the sister church partnership arrangement. Out of the monthly support sent by SCCD, workers were supported to open work in at least three new communities in outlying barangays and one old church was revived. Today these three new communities are recognized as Worshipping Congregations – Danum-Danum, Culasian, Campong Unay. The revived older church was UCCP Malapandig.

A PAC Pastor’s Testimony

Hearing from Pastor Jerry, this sister church partnership between Sicud and SCCD gave inspiration to the church members to go out and open outreaches spreading the gospel. These places are remote areas and blazing trails there run the risk among church workers of being branded as Communist fronts. This was Pastor Jerry’s testimony who shared to Pastor Leng that for sometime he was under surveillance by the military because of his work with the local churches in the hinterlands. Pastor Jerry is currently pastoring three churches, one of which is Inagawan, a newly set-up outreach by UCCP Dumaguena, less than a year old, and is working towards becoming a Worshipping Congregation in their forthcoming PAC Annual Session. Pastor Jerry’s experience is common among UCCP workers given the

church’s image in the military. In 2005, Rev. Raul Domingo, Conference Minister of PAC was shot dead by unknown gunmen, this event of which was believed to be part of the extra-judicial killings staged by those fighting for what is called “National Security.”

Inagawan Experience

Currently, according to Pastor Jerry, the surveillance activity has mellowed down but never did it deter his passion to serve church communities in the spirit also of self-reliance. This is his advocacy work among the churches he is serving. Thus, it was so heartwarming to see church members rendering bayanihan work to put up the Inagawan Outreach church building made from bamboo, lumber and GI sheets from the P10,000.00 assistance from the LCSMC. Inagawan was the church where Pastor Leng together with 13 others including the CM of both conferences and the DCM of PAC. The kindred there are hardworking and committed to cultivate the land while building up the church. Since the settlement is fairly new, the ground is quite rocky and barren. Water is fetched from the river as their artesian well in the community has broken down. There is no electricity and so it would not be surprising to hear families of eight, ten children. One mother in her 40s nursing her 4-month old child with whom Pastor Leng had a conversation related so casually that the baby is her 8th and her eldest child got married at 16 and now has a child. She gives birth at home with his husband as “midwife” and she “assists” by massaging her abdomen during contractions. It was an easy process according to her until her last delivery when she almost died because the baby came out in a not normal position. If not for her husband’s challenge to stay strong and pray hard she said she would have been gone. What a story! This woman was so thankful for the church building under construction as it would mean having a church nearby. Their “mother church” is several kilometers away and they don’t have the means to take the public transportation every now and then. She is a daughter-in-law of the “founder,” Manong Boning Fernando.who stands as the Council chairperson.

Inagawan Outreach has 23 families equivalent to about 100 worshippers including children. When they started gathering in the village Multi-Purpose Hall middle of 2009, their other neighbors who were members of other denominations decided to join the fold just so they could worship on Sundays. This Outreach is about 4 kilometers away from the National Highway which could take about an hour’s walk. Pastor Leng and company went there by “karo” (a carabao-drawn cart) relieving them from walking. As perceived, setting up a partnership with this Outreach could uplift the morale of church members and be an effective witness in this budding farm village.

Palawan: A Picture of Creation by: Pastor Ma. Beate Mantilla-Hernandez

Our trip to Palawan created a huge wave of life changing experience in our lives as a family, as a minister of the Gospel and as a woman. It took me several months to prepare my children for this week-long mission journey and has overwhelmed my entire family during Christmas when I announced that I and Ronell will be in Palawan come January 2010. There were doubts and fears, lots of things to prepare and I always hang on to God’s unchanging grace, and His covering protection to all of us. Not later soon, God gave me so much reason to pursue the mission. It was through the household of God (UCCP Sabang) who manifested God’s provision and caring spirit to my family and most importantly to my children.

I see it as a humbling experience, when I got the opportunity to be with our friends, the Palawan Associate Conference. I got close and personal experience a minister would always linger as source of encouragement, lessons of which I am so thankful to the Lord. Lessons not read from the pages of books but learned from people who were there living and yearning.

It was an opportune time to ask myself about the real meaning of ministry, laying down of yourself, things and comfort for myself to allow God’s work and purpose happen. I fervently say that Philippines is blessed with such a beauty, likened to a mother’s womb, that a new life is about to happen. The advent to richness and splendour of our land has ended and we have approached the rising of God’s triumph in our land. It seemed to me a good picture of a land that is guarded and protected by a good habitation. Well it could be and will happen if we understand and partake of our responsibilities as citizens. Palawan is a picture of creation.

But this is far from the point of view of missionary work. If the forest declares its splendour, the Underground River pronounces its wonder of nature, the vineyard of the Lord is waiting for workers and harvest is yet to come. Palawan Associate Conference may not be approved to become a full fledged Conference this coming General Assembly, for they have not reach the required 30-45 number of local churches, and at least 10 ordained ministers to carry the cross of ministry and mission. I chanced upon the documentation that there were only 6 ordained ministers at PAC. Not really enough though to continue and plant the good news, but workers are positive. This truth made us, LCSMC workers, and SCCD Church Workers for that matter embrace God’s challenge and inspiration. PAC will have to wait, and I believe waiting is still God’s design. In waiting, the household learns to depend on God and trust God.

Church workers of PAC (ordained, unordained, laity and deaconesses) work for mission and are ministering various churches around Palawan. Pastor Elen is pastoring 8 churches from Puerto Princesa to Sicud then Panitian to Quezon. Various churches don’t have music workers, many of our churches are led by lay workers, Pastors come and visit during Communion Sunday. While it is true that beginnings are precious, Church structures in Palawan came from humble beginnings, most of them are made of woods, kawayan and amakan. Each and many of our Pastors in Palawan receive P50-150 as love gift, it may not really be enough to sustain but it really happens to them. Our work camp at Basaio, a small town 4 kms from Quezon Town Proper brushed a color of hope and tied close our relationship as workers of God’s vineyard. The congregation composite of 4 tribes describe without words the reason of their coming together, they wanted to declare that they belong to a place of community, and they have been tested during times of hunger, typhoon, and scarcity. The palm of God’s hand had been their comfort, not the caves, not even the mountains, it was God’s amazing grace. I learned from Arlene Cabrera, 31 years old from Tribong Kuyunin, a third generation katutubong Palawan, that each tribe from Palawan many years ago would gather together each year to plant in the mountains in response to God’s unwavering protection to townspeople of Palaw’an. This rituals started by the Taong Bato, the first dwellers of Tabon Cave. Arlene confirms that there are still cave dwellers today including her family. I met Arlene Cabrera at tiangge center, playing the music instrument and singing their native song.

Sea folks and Church members primarily depend on nature’s abundant grace, 500 to 700 guests come to visit Palawan tourist destinations a day making them earn for daily needs and augment their family expenditures. Children seldom finish higher education, some would make it up until grade 4, kids age 6-12 need to wake up early to catch up class, they will need to walk 3km (river and mountain ridge) a day to arrive at school and study with hungry stomach, 3 to 4 barangays use and share common water pump (bumba). Caves surrounding Palawan shed water for their daily consumption when pumps run out of water. People of Quezon Palawan own vast of lands, but they need education and finances to start anew, according to Ms. Bing Gonda a social worker at Iwahig, Palawan is a place for beginning. It is a place of hard work, labor and a good reminder of God’s giving and man’s giving back what is for God. Indeed a life changing experience and a humbling expression of serving God because we are made for God.

Coming up in March! The Basiao Experience and SCCD’s Pastor’s Testimony on leaving children in the care of the church during this Palawan Mission Trip

Palawan Mission Trip revitalized partnership. The Mission Retreat of LCSMC Church Workers in Palawan on January 18-22, 2010 joined in by SCCD’s four workers, Pastor Leng, Pastor Ronell, Pastor Bea and Sis. Wilma has revitalized the partnership between the two conferences and the local churches. Though the Memorandum of Agreement ends this May 2010 which has went on for two quadrennium (2002-2010), another form of partnership is emerging as outcome of this Mission Trip. On SCCD’s part, the monthly support of P1,000.00 will continue and other forms of partnership will emerge as initially mentioned by the said four workers during the Palawan Mission Sharing held on January 30, 2010 which brought about 30 members, youth and adults alike. One idea that came out was a Mission Exposure Trip with a year-long preparation to Palawan. This is in conception stage. Personal account of the church workers is printed in this issue of DNews and next month. A total amount of P30,196.00 was received from individual donors and organizations as well as loose offering in the UCWO Donation Box set up for two Sundays during worship, supporting our “four missionaries” in this significant trip covering their airfare and a part of their registration fee.

Piano scholars take part in Children’s Church. The budding youth scholars of piano lessons supported by SCCD’s Scholarship Program namely Sarah Fauni, Mischelle Quezon and Sheila Cortez will begin playing as accompanist during

Children’s Church on Sundays. The younger ones will be scheduled to play in the prelude and postlude. This is aimed at honing their musical gifts and self-confidence in serving as accompanist in corporate worship. SCCD is currently the local church with the most number of students enrolled in the Conference-initiated program “Piano Yes!” offered to help local churches develop and establish their pool of piano accompanists in worship. Our piano scholars, include, aside from the three already mentioned, siblings Van Hallen and Sarah Hayag, Daniellie Fauni, Robee Hernandez, Erich Tumbaga, Paolo Dakis, Krsitel Joy Fauni and Cherlene Sapida who is under the tutelage of Ms. Andrimel Crisostomo and Ms. Myrna Chan. SCCD is eyed as venue for their recital this month of February or sometime March.

Debbie Shields visits SCCD. Debbie Shields, considered by SCCD as “missionary” from sister church UCC Holmdel in New Jersey, USA visits SCCD after almost two years from her first visit offering Reiki Healing Sessions to some interested members. She has been to several places in Visayas and Mindanao before coming

D’NEWSBITS

to SCCD as during her 2008 visit, teaching this healing touch to UCCP local churches and other groups. Sis. Debbie is a Reiki Master and her healing sessions offered in the US have generated funds in forms of donations that are channelled to UCCP ministries, SCCD Scholarship to Indigent Children being one of them. UCC Holmdel is sponsoring the schooling of two children enrolled in the DLA who are from Simborio Outreach – Cristy Relao and Patrick Consorte, now both in Gr. 2. Debbie is sharing her Mission Experiences on February 6, 2010 at 6 pm, Round Two of Mission Education Series.

Main Stairs Canopy under construction. The Color the Season 2 spearheaded by the Board of Deacons last December has generated the amount of P16,300.00 which covered the cost of the continuing general building works in the sanctuary, primary of which is the Main Stairs Canopy. The frame of the three more levels of the canopy had been installed. Only the glassworks are left undone. Donations from members abroad also trickled in at the onset of 2010 fuelling the Church Building Fund on top of the PN5b: Bamboo and Bricks campaign. To date this said PN5b has received a total of 142,662.30, sufficient enough to take off the project targeted at completing before the rainy season begins middle of this year. Related still to church finances, Finance Secretary Ms. Evelyn Sapida is presenting the Financial Statement for 2009 on February 7, 2010 during worship. The said Financial Report is printed in this issue of the newsletter.

Communicants’ Class 2010 begins. Batch 2010 of Communicant’s Class had started on January 9 with just five in attendance but now it has 12 enrolees ages 12-14. This class is the equivalent Membership/Discovery Class for young people but on a longer period, three months. They are taught on the UCCP Statement of Faith, led to a walk on the history of the church from its beginnings in the Book of Acts to the present life of believers in a pluralistic world. The Pastoral Team take turns in handling the session with Pastor Leng as the lead teacher. This class will culminate in Water Baptism on Maundy Thursday, April 1 with a Retreat and Formal Reception during worship service. They are also scheduled to go on an Educational Trip in historical places in Manila connected to the history of Protestantism in the Philippines. Meanwhile, the first quarter batch of Membership Class for adults was offered on January 30 and February 6 with one participant but representing her whole household, the Perdon Family. They will be received during worship on February 7.

NOMELEC 2010 organized. The Nomination/Election Committee for this ecclesial year has elected its own officers in a brief meeting on January 24, 2010 namely Trustee Ramon Reyes, chairperson; Deacon Allan Saquilayan, Vice Chairperson; Elder Miriam Gerero as Secretary and members BCE Marlene Medina and CYFer Princess Mabbatung. They will be meeting for Orientation on February 13. The Nomination Period is also opened formally on February 7 which will go on for

a month, closing on March 8, 2010. Vacant positions are as follows:

Board of Elders 3Board of Christian Education 3Board of Trustees 3Board of Deacons 3Treasurer, Finance Secretary and Auditor

Special Ministries going strong. Under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Bea Hernandez, SCCD’s Special Ministries have taken off and are going strong. Updates are as follows:

SDCC – Sabang Disciples Consumers Cooperative has now 53 official members and with about P90,000.00 in capital, earning a net income for 2009 (June-December) of P14,371.60. Its business ventures, DLA Canteen management, lending services and Coop Grocery are bringing the Coop funds that support the whole operation and leaving a little for dividend sharing. The registration documents from Cooperative Development Authority is still awaited. A livelihood seminar on Soap-Making and Fabric Conditioner is set on February 7 with Rev. Sonny San Pedro, chairperson of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church as Resource Person.

Serenity House of Sobriety – Spiritual nurturing services are being provided by the Pastoral Team with Pastor Leng as the lead Spiritual Adviser. Worship services on 1st and 2nd Sundays are also conducted with the SCCD Pastors at the helm especially on Communion Sundays.

Philhealth Voluntary Membership – Some 190 families were registered under the Indigent Family Free Membership program for one year upon the advice of its Coordinator from the Provincial Health Office, Ms. Shirley Guico. About 32 households are enrolled in its regular health insurance package which has benefitted a number of members who were confined the past three months. This continues to be open to anyone who would like to have a health insurance coverage regardless of church membership. This may be offered even to non-church members. SCCD serves only as a link to the said government agency.

Adult Literacy Program – Saturday classes offered to at least three parents who willingly joined the session under Pastor Bea. These are parents of the children scholars enrolled in the DLA who have not reached higher schooling making it difficult for them to tutor or follow-up their children in their studies. Content of their classes are the textbooks of their children with focus on reading comprehension

Vermi-Veggie Garden (VVG) – the newest to be launched although a lecture-demonstration has been conducted in December, the VVG will pursue what was conceived from the said lecture. Vermi beds had been set-up in both church and school aimed at raising more vermi (African earth worms) that will

produce compost as organic fertilizers which will provide nutrients to vegetables planted in pots. A Volunteer Gardener will oversee this to come to fruition, Bro. Angelo Calungin, and will take off this month of February. The church is allocating a priming fund of P10,000.00 from the TRP (Typhoon Rehabilitation Program Fund) being that this project is part of environmental care advocacy.

TRP – Typhoon Rehabilitation Program which was an outgrowth of the devastation created by Typhoon Ondoy in September. Its fund which has reached 75,175.00 has thus far supported the VVG and will be releasing soon a support to a church in Laguna that has a reforestation project. Coordination is currently being done by Pastor Ronell Hernandez who happens to be the Chairperson of the Conference Christian Witness and Service Committee. Big trash bins are also to be purchased and set-up in conspicuous places in the school and church premises sorting biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes instilling proper wastes disposal in adults and children.

Health and Fitness Program – still under the umbrella of the Special Ministry, aimed to handle care and Health program to maintain body weight management and health education. This program was launched June 2009 and still continues. Our very own Aero Fitness program is set to begin February 5, 2010 5-6 pm

with complete module aerodance, diet computation and meal management. Aero master is Ronald Cabalit registered dance instructor and diet management is handled by our resident registered Dietitian Pastor Bea Hernandez. P50.00 is charge per session of workout. Come and enjoy this blessing.

Membership Renewal Month. The month of February had been designated as Membership Renewal Month in the whole UCCP as per National Council Action 2007. SCCD has complied with this since last year, the first time it was implemented, thus, she’s one of the UCCP member churches that responded to the call. About 186 have heeded the call for renewal of membership last year sending also a total amount of P3,990.00 as Annual Denominational Contribution. For 2010, another round of campaign is set forth reiterating that the ADC goes to Property Development Program of the UCCP and that it’s not the amount of P20.00 or more that counts but the sure declaration of being a part of the church, the one Body of Christ.

DLA SECTIONSchool Beats and Pieces

DLA School Week celebrated. The 2nd part of the 26th

Founding Anniversary Celebration of the DLA was held in a week-long program with activities ranging from academic contests, to literary and sports. The week culminated in a Family Day with the PTA officers leading it and a Field Demonstration in the afternoon of Friday. This year’s motif was Creation Story and Glorifying God through service professions in connection with the theme, “Responding to God’s Call of Caring for Creation and Becoming Responsible Citizens.” Mr. Ronald Cabalit, a professional Dance Instructor conceptualized the whole presentation and provided the dance training to the pupils. Winners in the contests are as follows:

Literary ContestPoster Making Contest – Grade 3 & 4

Poster Making Contest – Grade 5 & 6

1ST Chad Selwyn Mangubat Adrian Justin Galang2ND Dennise Adrienne D. Dipasupil Donnessa Jimenez3RD Jonalyn Mhae Barbuco Nicole Cecille Dipasupil

Drawing Contest Slogan Making Contest1ST Kenneth R. Cerbo Jan Ello Nati2ND Raiza Janine Cabrera Claude Jean Regala3RD Ma. Alexandria Areola Cherlene Sapida

Essay Writing Contest Paligsahan sa Pagtula1ST Job Janeo Graham Ford Aleonar2ND Shellie Ann Calubayan Phoebe Joy Medina3RD Darlene Rowella Supnet John Matthew Timba

Talumpati Balagtasan1ST Darlene Rowella SUpnet Cherlene Sapida2ND Shellie Ann Calubayan Kristen Camilon3RD Claude Jean Regala Nicole Cecille Dipasupil

Paligsahan sa Pag – awitPrimary Category Intermediate

1ST Krizelle De Ocampo Jan Ello Nati2ND Angelo Apolonio Hershey Mae Galan3RD Elijah Paul Dela Cruz Kate Cerbo

Story Telling Contest DeclamationSarah Mae Hayag Van Hallen Hayag

Extemporaneous Speech1ST Shellie Ann Calubayan2ND Darlene Rowella Supnet3RD Nicole Cecille Diapsupil

Academic ContestsQuiz Bee

Grade 1 & 2 Grade 3 & 41ST Justine Janelle Reyes Phoebe Joy Medina2ND Angelo Apolonio Maricar Dela Torre3RD Sarah Mae Hayag Jonathan Dave Tapawan

Quiz Bee Grade - 5 & 6 Spelling Bee - Grade 1 & 21ST Job Janeo Justine Janelle Reyes2ND Adrian Justin Galang Graham Ford Aleonar3RD Nicole Cecille Dipasupil Elijah Paul Dela Cruz

Spelling Bee

Grade 3 & 4 Grade 5 & 61ST Claude Jean Regala Job Janeo2ND Jonalyn Mhae Barbuco Darlene Rowella Supnet3RD Maricar Dela Torre Marvin Garcia

Most Valuable Player: Job C. Janeo

Cheering Competition Sporstfest’s WinnersChampion – Yellow Team

1st Green Team Green Team2nd Yellow Team Blue Team3rd Red Team Red Team4th Blue Team

PTA 4th General Meeting holds lecture. The 4th

General PTA Meeting held on January 15, 2010 had a lecture on “Handling Hormonal Changes in Children” with Ms. Corinne Realica, School Principal of Cavite Institute Elementary Dept. as speaker. She presented an overview of the developmental stages of children with special attention on understanding sexuality and parents taught on how to provide Sexuality Education at home. This topic was stirred up by certain issues affecting children concerning sex and morality.

Right to Read Program. With the visit of at least two Hayag families represented in a meeting with the School Board on January 31, 2010, Mr. and Mrs. Guillermo Hayag and Mr. Roger Felix (husband of Angie Hayag), the Right to Read Program is launched in memory of their parents Mr. and Mrs. Bayani/Julia Hayag with a donation of a box of assorted books

and P70,000.00 cash to be utilized for bookshelves, computer, more books and other related expenses. The RRP has for its goal the promotion of love for reading among the children and making available books especially to the economically-disadvantaged kids. It will be in three phases, first is the procurement of books and setting up a Reading Center in the DLA with the DLA School children the first to avail of its services. Second phase is opening the Reading Center to children and adults in both church and school and third, bringing the books to several nearby communities especially the depressed ones where books are rarity, through a Library Mobile (in a van). This way books are offered free for reading and stories are also read to children. This project, conceived and initiated by the couple Roger and Angie Hayag will hopefully bring the other members of the Hayag Family to support it and establish continuing ties with SCCD and DLA. It will enhance as well the Health/Wellness Program of the school and church, so does the Adult Literacy Program.

TOP 5 PUPILS FOR THE 3rd QUARTERGRADE I GRADE II

1st Dela Cruz, Elijah Paul* Reyes, Justine Janelle

2nd Escober, Michelle Ann Aleonar, Graham Ford3rd Areola, Ma. Alexandria Cabrera, Raiza Janine4th Pare, Josef Hormillosa, Neilyn5th Eslabon, Angeluv Apolonio, Angelo

GRADE III GRADE IV1st Dipasupil, Dennise Regala, Claude Jean2nd Medina, Phoebe Joy* Dela Torre, Maricar3rd De Ocampo, Krizelle* Camero, Veronica Ira4th Galang, Aimee Jasmin Tapawan, Jonathan5th Amon, Christina Gail Perlas, Ghesan Marie*

GRADE V GRADE VI1st Calubayan, Shellie Ann Janeo, Job2nd Dipasupil, Nicole Supnet, Darlene3rd Jimenez, Donnessa Cabrera, Ric Jason4th Reyes, John Jay Joseph Camilon, Kristen*5th Hembrador, Jovinelle Galang, Adrian Justin

*Church Members

On the Use of Hand Phones (Part 2) continued from last month

9.   Use the speaker phone as much as possible. Never hold the phone directly against your head. * EMR decreases in direct proportion to the distance the source is from your body. * It's better if you don't even have the phone in your hand.  The damage from EMR is not limited to tissue damage near the exposure site.

10.   Some suggest using a BlueTooth head piece.* It’s reported that BlueTooth headsets emit 1/100th the EMR of a normal cell phone.  That’s good.  But whatever EMR a BlueTooth headset does emit,  it does so directly into the ear.  Caution is warranted.

11.   Avoid using a cell phone while in metal enclosures. *This includes the following :  Vehicles;  Elevators;  Airplanes;  Trains;  Subways;  and any other metal enclosure.  [Reference: Dr. George Carlo, Medical Alert: Aggravated Symptom Relapses (May 2008)]

* Turn your phone off inside all metal enclosures. * Metal enclosures act like a Faraday cage,  trapping some of the radiation and reflecting it back on you and others. * Sometimes when I’m in an elevator I tell other passengers about the benefits of turning their phones off. Unfortunately,  not many do,  but who knows?  Eventually they may start turning them off.* There’s another very good reason not to talk on a cell phone when you’re driving :  talking on the phone while driving,  even if you use the speaker phone,  increases the risk of having an

accident.* So our recommendation is to just turn off your cell phone when you get into your car.  You can get your messages later when you arrive safely at your destination.

   12.   Only make calls when and where you have a strong signal.* Cell phones automatically increase power output when the signal is weak,  exposing you to greater EMR.

   13.   Avoid making calls when traveling fast.* A cell phone automatically increases power when it is moving at high speeds  (such as in a car,  train,  subway, or plane)  as it attempts to connect to the next cell phone base station. 

   14.  Turn your cell phone off at night.* EMR emitted from cell phones can lower the quality of your sleep.  All electrical appliances emit EMR,  and therefore can interfere with the quality of sleep.  [Reference: R. B. Herberman, MD, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (2008)] * The Safe Wireless Initiative suggests moving your electric alarm clock or clock radio  (this goes for any other electronic or electrical appliances, too)  at least 1.8 meters (6 feet) away from your bed.  A battery-powered alarm clock can be used near the bed.* If you must leave your cell phone on during the night - to be able to receive emergency calls,  for example - keep your cell phone at least 1.8 meters (6 feet) away from the bed.  This might seem like a big inconvenience,  but isn’t it worth it if it might keep you from EMR-induced cancer?

15.   If you purchase a cell phone,  get one with a low SAR (Specific Absorption Rate).* The lower the SAR number,  the better.* The Motorola Razr V3x has a SAR of 0.14,  which is the lowest we’ve seen.  We’ve heard there may be others with even lower SAR ratings.* The Motorola V195s has a SAR of 1.6,  the worst on the market.* Many cell phone manuals indicate the SAR number of that particular model. * You can find most cell phone SAR rates here.  (We’re including this link for its useful SAR information,  but we don’t agree with much of what the site says.  It’s a cell phone manufacturer forum,  and much of what they say defends the companies’ policies.)

 16.   Act now.  Don’t wait for health officials to acknowledge the dangers of cell phone EMR.* Smoking, VIOXX, and Thalidomide (and the list goes on) were touted as safe for a long time,  with tragic consequences.* It is estimated that VIOXX was responsible for as many as 50,000 deaths in the US alone before it was taken off the market!

Conclusions * Take responsibility for your own health and your

family’s. * Exercise caution..  It’s far better to be safe than sorry. * God loves you and me.  If we do what we can, He’ll do what we can’t. Do what you can.

By Allyan Jell Samonte

I wanted to talk about love or something that can convey the idea of feeling love and being loved. My teacher in Psychology had his talk one day about Love, knowing that many would come because deny it or not people get so much head over heels on the topic of love. It is like the air we breathe, the food that we eat or the drink that satisfies our thirst. It is a shame on me to talk about love and not to define it; but defining it would kill its true meaning and put down those who have felt love and defined it in a very different way. What I wanted to lay on the table is the essence of love, of why continue to love? If it hurts, if it tells us to wait, if it takes away pride, if it asks a lot. Why remain open to love?

We love because He first loved us. (1Jn4:19) The very essence of love is God. God defies and covers all meanings of love, It was love which paved the way that God created us in His likeness and that we understand Him and everything that He had done for us. It is an understatement if I say that God is the epitome of love but He is love himself. He had given us Jesus Christ because He loves us; we are loved and we feel love because of Him.

Finding God’s love from another person is like finding true love. The love that we feel for the other person is the love that God wants us to feel. The other person serves as the “bridge” for God’s love to come to you concretely. The right person for you is finding God’s gift for you, because he or she is the concrete manifestation of God’s love for you. Moreover, it is not just finding your other half that God’s love is manifested upon you; it is also through the people who have loved and cared for us since we were young, our flesh and our blood: our family. Finding the people who would match and complement our personality, who would guide us through the right path and would persist in our lives until our age had ripen, is finding true love because true love seeds the fruit of true friendship.

Everything around us is created by God and through this, love manifests itself. As a person created by God we live in a community where we share and experience God’s abundant blessing and sovereign guidance, we are love’s manifestation towards others and we are a community brought about by love. Let us spread and appreciate God’s love as we continue to journey in our life of faith.

2009 FINANCIAL STATEMENT: A comparative Report

February 2010Membership Renewal Month

Sunday Collection Report

Receipts 2009 Target Budget

Actual 2009 Actual 2008

Tithes 650,000.00 707,648.00 714,526.25Loose Offering 200,000.00 259,810.85 227,751.35Sunday School 15,000.00 17,637.25 15,666.05Sunday Mission offering

40,000.00 28,736.80 22,898.05

Mission Partners (Donations)

200,000.00 45,638.25 92,897.75

Midweek Services 15,000.00 14,153.40 18,038.20Lovegift/Donations 50,000.00 203,452.27 89,576.70Support From members Abroad

280,000.00 135,947.30 155,437.70

Special Ministries Contributions

100,000.00 20,000.00

General Services 20,000.00 11,697.00 2,080.00Other Receipts 7,278.62Special Projects 163,000.00 120,233.50 265,895.55Special Offerings 15,000.00 20,743.45 22,779.50TOTAL 1,748,000.00 1,592,976.89 1,625,052.10ExpensesAdministrative 1,091,500.00 1,223,017.44 891,006.18CWS 153,600.00 98,354.11 155,676.22CEN 106,900.00 90,273.60 102,510.20MGD 68,600.00 26,665.50 37,942.14Worship 119,800.00 136,468.40 67,273.25Repairs & Maintenance

180,700.00 189,417.12 238,895.70

Capex 26,897.00TOTAL 1,747,997.00 1,764,196.17 1,486,179.59FUND BALANCE(DEFICIT)

(171,219.28) 138,872.60

December JanuaryTithes 54,790.00 69,123.00Loose Offering 23,780.00 25,350.50Sunday School 1,326.75 1,976.25Midweek Services 762.55 1,429.95Mission 4,178.75 4,392.75Love Gift/Donations 3,020.00 8,809.75Lovegift for Sunday School Snack 200.00 750.00Support from Members Abroad 11,331.90 8,032.00Happy Birthday Jesus 7,553.00Simbang Gabi 10,634.65Sound System 13,830.00New Year Offering 2,465.75Everybody’s Birthday 1,950.00Total 119,527.60 136,159.75

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Ave.Dec. 174 171 94 165 151Jan. 192 184 164 183 187 182

Wedding Anniversari

esFebruary 8 Raymond & Sarah TapawanFebruary 17 Arthur & Linda FullerosFebruary 20 Wilson & Beah AlmanzorFebruary 26 William & Pamela AbdonFebruary 28 Benward & Monneth Abas

1 Michelle SaquilayanAngelito Cortez

2 Joel Gervacio, John Argie MendezKay Ann Docusin, Lloyd Fauni

3 Michelle Perez & Jasmine Gomba

4 Leony Saquilayan5 Johnny Purisima, Jeffrey Purisima,

Patrick Jayson Luna7 Leticia Sapida, Lina Reyes,

Philip Fauni, Nicajhed LagaticRomualdo Calungin, Julie RodriguezRosalinda Lumagui, Charlyn Madrid,

8 Leticia Calungin9 Cornelio Santos Jr., 10 Michelle Dianne Marie Tio

Remy Gabriel11 Andrea Fauni, & Armond Fauni

Lourdes BigaranEllariz Riane Sarmiento

13 Christian Daniel Remulla, Lito Fauni

15 Shirly Fauni16 Analyn Del Rosario,

Abeng SapidaRomeo Ancheta

17 Gabina Olaes, Binang SapidaRoberto Ticao

18 Stephen Paul Tigas Sr.19 Dennis Saquilayan,

Genesis SaquilayanSonia Sapida

20 Arah Reyes, Joennel Catayong, Josephine Bautista

21 Mary Mei Daniellie Tio, Cherry Almendral, Maluna Mendoza

23 Ellen Baysa24 Cristy Gervacio, Karen Sapida,

Wilson Benitez, Joey Ancheta25 Efren Frani27 Eugene Dakis,

Phamila Rayco28 Michael Almendral

BIRTHDAY

CORNER

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday28Rev. Leng LubangEugene DakisBhudz Calungin

DLA School Board Mtg, 2 pmCoop PMESCell GroupsSimborio: 2 pmMaricris: 5 pm

1

Cell Group- Dexterville 4 pm

2

DLA Teachers’ and Staff Devotion

CWA Home Bible Study/ Fellowship8:00 pm

3

Prayer service8:00 p.m - Pastor Leng, exhorter

4

Cell Group@ Malagasang 2-F & Greengate- Briz FamilyChurch Bible Study -8:00 p.mFacilitator: Pastor Leng

5

Cell Group@ Silvertown3:00 pm

SCCD Choir Practice; 8pm

6Communicants’ Class 10-12 amMaricris /Daang NIA Childrens’ OutreachDiscovery ClassBCE Meeting; 4pmMission Sharing of Debbie Shields, 6pmCYF : 6:00 p.mUCM: 8:00 p.m

Matthew 8:1-13 Luke 23:1-25 Luke 23:26-56 Luke 24:1-12 Luke 24:13-53 Hebrew 1 Hebrew 27Communion Sunday Rev. Leng Lubang Elder Remy Gabriel Reylyn Siervo

Coop Livelihood Seminar, 2pmCell GroupsSimborio: 2 pmMaricris: 5 pm

8Cell Group- Dexterville 4 pm

9DLA Chapel Service

DLA Teachers’ and Staff Devotion

CWA Home Bible Study/ Fellowship8:00 pm

10

Prayer service8:00 p.m , Elder as exhorter

11Cell Group@ Malagasang 2-F& Greengate- Briz Family

Church Bible Study -8:00 p.mFacilitator: Pastor Leng

12

Cell Group@ Silvertown -3:00 pmSCCD Choir Practice; 8pm

13Communicants’ Class 10-12 amMaricris /Daang NIA Childrens’ OutreachNOMELEC mtg,4pmBOT mtg, 6 pmCYF : 6:00 p.m

Hebrew 3:1-4:13 Hebrew 4:14-6:12

Hebrew 6:13-20 Hebrew 7 Hebrew 8 Hebrew 9:1-22 Hebrew 9:23-10:18

14

Pastor Bea HernandezMiriam GereroAllan Saquilayan

Council Meeting; 2pmCell GroupsSimborio: 2 pmMaricris: 5 pm

15

Cell Group- Dexterville 4 pm

16

DLA Teachers’ and Staff Devotion

CWA Home Bible Study/ Fellowship8:00 pm

17

Prayer Service8:00 pm , Pastor Ronell, exhorter

18

Cell Group@ Malagasang 2-F& Greengate- Briz Family

Church Bible Study -8:00 p.mFacilitator: Pastor Leng

19

Cell Group@ Malagasang 2-B -3:00 pmSCCD Choir Practice; 8pm

20

Communicants’Class 10-12 amMaricris /Daang NIA Childrens’ OutreachCYF : 6:00 p.mUCM: 8:00 p.m

Hebrew 10:19-39 Hebrew 11:19-22

Hebrew 11:23-40

Hebrew 12 Hebrew 13 Mathew 1 Matthew 2

21 Rev. Ronell Hernandez Jingle Ancheta Keilyn Fauni

Church Council Meeting, 2pmCell GroupsSimborio: 2 pmMaricris: 5 pm

22 Cell Group- Dexterville 4 pm

23DLA Teachers’ and Staff Devotion

SCCD Choir Practice; 8pm

CWA Home Bible Study/ Fellowship8:00 pm

24Prayer Service8:00 pm, Sis. Wilma, exhorter

25Cell Group@ Malagasang 2-F& Greengate- Briz Family

Church Bible Study - 8:00 p.mFacilitator: Pastor Leng

26Cell Group@ Malagasang 2-B -3:00 pm

Choir Practice 8:00 p.m

27Communicants’ Class 10-12 amMaricris /Daang NIA Childrens’ OutreachCoop Board of Directors Mtg, 4pmCYF : 6:00 p.mUCM: 8:00 p.m

Matthew 3 Matthew 4 Matthew 5:1-20 Matthew 5:21-48 Matthew 6:1-18 Matthew 6:19-34 Matthew 7