May 2009 Volume 7, Number 5
Creation Groaning in Pain! Listen!
In deepening of this year’s Vacation Church School theme with not only children learning from it but also adults, in other words - the whole church family, we are setting as lectionary theme for May, that of VCS 2009 published by the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, “Listen to the Voice of Creation,” groaning in pain as Romans 8:22 says. Even as I write this column, April summer has turned into April rains which is truly “not normal” as far as seasonal changes are concerned. It’s supposed to be summer still, complained perhaps by children but an LPA (low pressure area) was spotted. It’s been almost two weeks now having these cloudy skies and downpour of rains in the afternoon. Imagine holding VCS under the rain and not under the hot summer sun!
Then there is the pandemic swine flu which has alerted all countries in the world. Health officials say this is more deadly as the virus is a hybrid of human flu virus strain, avian (bird) flu virus and swine flu. A few months ago, we read in the papers hundreds of dolphins washed ashore in coastal waters not just in the Philippines but even in Australia. These are all unnatural phenomena! Indeed it is creation’s call to all humankind!
“Listen to the Voice of Creation” leaves three words for us to seriously reflect. Listen! Not only with our ears but with our eyes, hands, nose and tongue. Listen with our whole being discerning what God is telling and showing us on the continuous degradation of the world God created and which was entrusted on human hands to care and cultivate not for human survival and welfare alone but for the whole creation. The scientific principle of interdependence must be listened to and understood. If in our Filipino proverbs it says, “Sakit ng kalingkingan dama ng buong katawan” (pain in the index finger is felt all over the body), the same is true in the effect of nature’s degradation to humans and animals. Have you not wondered why the animal and fowl flu virus strains have also infected humans? Polluting land and water would backlash on us and has in fact affected our health giving birth to dreaded diseases.
Listen to the Voice, the cry and groaning of Mother Earth being “raped” in the name of development and modernization. Almost thirty years ago, while in college I remember in our English class holding a debate on Chico Dam with two groups exchanging arguments in favor of developing the river into a dam to serve the growing irrigation needs in the rice plains of Central Luzon and also for geothermal power, and against it - citing wanton destruction of nature and displacing thousands of tribal minorities. The dam was not constructed yet that time but the push for “having more” through development and infrastructure prevailed. The voice of greed drowned the cry for mercy of tribal groups. Thirty years later it’s not only those displaced tribal groups that are suffering the consequences but all of us and the generations to come after us with massive flooding and soil erosion. To not listen to the voice of nature taking its course no matter what, will lead to loss of lives. Water will always claim back that which was taken from its natural waterways. We have seen this ourselves in the typhoons that visited us in the past five years, like Winnie in Quezon and Milenyo in our own Cavite province.
Listen to the Voice of Creation, the natural world God prepared first for us, beautiful and good! In the first account of the story of creation (Genesis 1), God so ordered the creation of the world and everything in it to teach connectedness that must not be messed up but rather revered. I say “revered” to emphasize reverential fear in caring for God’s creation, a kind of stewardship with holy fear and deep recognition of human’s rightful place in the order which is creature and not God, steward and not owner.
The VCS theme song aptly expresses the call to listen, to better listen now, a mandate for us stewards to shape up, to do our responsibility in fear and trembling, otherwise we would be destroyed by our own folly. How? RRJS in order not to RIP! Reduce, Recycle or Just Simply care. If not we will all Rest in Peace, six feet below the ground. This is not a joke! To RRJS is a call to adjust our lifestyle that had become so consumeristic. We don’t want to wash plates anymore after eating and so we eat in disposables. We want to rather hang out and bring children in the malls than in parks because we say it’s hot and dirty, hence, we produce kids who are materialistic and consumeristic suffering from NDD – nature deficit disorder, a new health menace. People with NDD are said to have depressive tendencies because psychotherapists say that the healing effect humans get from the natural world of plants, trees, the soil are lost. The ground had been paved, trees cut and replaced with plastics, animals caged and so they become more aggressive causing fear and enmity between animals and humans.
Friends in Christ, there is much to reflect on this theme of “Listen to the Voice of Creation” that ought to jolt us to do something concrete for creation’s sake. Water, land and air are groaning. This month of May we will be putting up signages everywhere in church and school as reminder for us to be “eco-people” (derived from the VCS word eco-kids). We hope as well to consistently implement the waste-segregation scheme being advocated by our local government units. We will set up our compost pit where bio-degradable wastes could be disposed and even perhaps experiment on “African earthworms as catalysts for decomposition producing fertilizers.” There is hope in reversing nature’s degradation. God can redeem and save creation through us who after all God has anointed to care for it. Listen! You better listen! Listen to the voice of life!
May 3 - Pistang Kabuhayan Sunday
“Groanings of the Earth”
OT: Jeremiah 12:1-13; NT: Romans 8:18-22
Pastor Leng Lubang
May 10 - Mothers’ Day“Caring for Mother Earth”
OT: Psalm 104:24-33; NT: Luke 7:11-17
Preacher: Sis. Wilma Pelagio
May 17 - “Becoming the Children of Earth’s God”
OT: Psalm 8; NT: John 1:10-14
Preacher: Pastor Ronell Hernandez
May 24 - UCCP Sunday
“Witnessing Together in Home Earth”
OT: Genesis 11:26-30; NT: Acts 2:42-47
Preacher: Teacher Cristy Gervacio
May 31 - Installation Sunday
“Building an Altar of Earth”
OT: Genesis 8:18-22; NT: Revelation 4:6-11
Preacher: Pastor Leng Lubang
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Church Family Outing follows Easter Sunrise Service. This year’s Easter Sunrise Service on April 12 at the church quadrangle was followed by an Outing in Ternate Beach, Dalaroi, after five years of not doing such outdoors. About 140 people joined not including the children 7 years and below in the count coming from 60 households. It was a day of fun in the beach though everyone noticed how the waters are getting to be more and more polluted by plastic wastes. The fellowship and bonding as kindred in Christ in a more informal setting with nature’s waters made everything truly meaningful. Everyone looks forward to having this activity become a yearly tradition with members willing to shoulder the expenses and some even sponsored those who have less in life.
Annual Church Election conducted. This year’s Church Election was held on April 19, 2009 incorporated during worship service facilitated by the NOMELEC. Those who were elected to the various positions are as follows who will be assuming office on June 1, 2009 the start of the ecclesial year. Their installation will be on May 31, 2009 where the Annual Congregational Meeting will also be done. A Church Leadership Seminar and Planning Workshop is set on June 6, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. under the guidance of the Pastoral Team.
BOARD OF ELDERS / BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONDayrit, Juliet
Gerero, Miriam
Remulla, Carleng
Saquilayan, Leony / Espejo, Myrna
De Ocampo, Louie
Medina, Marlene
Sapida, Ruby
BOARD OF DEACONS / BOEARD OF TRUSTEES
Fauni, Shonnie
Mabbatung, Susan
Saquilayan, Allan / Bolotaolo, Andy
Calungin, Bhudz
Reyes, Ramon
Sapida, Henry
FINANCIAL SECRETARY / AUDITOR / TREASURER
Sapida, Evelyn / Fauni, Shirly / Violy Fauni
Environmental issues dealt in VCS 2009. The Vacation Church School 2009 gave focus on ecological issues and concerns with the theme, “Listen to the Voice of Creation” and curriculum developed by the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. Teachers’ Training in SCCD was held for two days, April 14-15, 2009 in preparation for the two weeks VCS in and out of the church premises. The Church-Based VCS held from April 20 to 24 had 194 participants with pre-schoolers getting the biggest number. The Outreach VCS in Simborio on April 27-May 1 had about 55 in attendance. Snacks given daily were prepared by the Women’s group who also served as the “volunteers’ mothers.” VCS volunteer teachers included Mischelle Quezon, Princess Mabbatung, Aiza Naty, Liza Ranieses, Machey Calungin, Anjell Samonte, Herbert Cantada, Ana Ferrer, Agnes Cahigan, Queenie Quezon, Macky Pelagio, Reylyn Siervo, Darwin Siervo, Dyna Bolotaolo, Jayjay Tumitit, Sheila Cortez with Sis. Wilma Pelagio as Coordinator. Currently, the incorporation of health and wellness is being explored with some friends from the DOH and related government agencies. A meeting with Dr. Susy Mercado is set early May.
SCCD gearing up for Annual Session hosting. SCCD is preparing to host the 11th Annual Session of Lowland Cavite South Manila Conference on May 22-23, 2009 which will bring together about 250 delegates from the 40 local churches in the conference, not including the visitors and observers. It’s been almost a generation since SCCD hosted this yearly gathering of churches when it was still part of the SELC (Southeast Luzon Conference). As host, SCCD will oversee the smooth flow of the conference particularly food serving and some other amenities the church could offer. Accommodating in members homes for one night at least 50 delegates was committed by SCCD. An AdHoc Committee for Annual Session Hosting was formed for close coordination of various tasks. Ms. Cecile Mendoza, Acting Council Chairperson heads this AdHoc Committee with the following members:
Evelyn SapidaFinance
Joey BelmontePhysical Arrangement
Miriam Gerero Food
Princess MabbatungUshering
Allan SaquilayanChoir/Songleading
Ronnie SapidaSound system
Taleng CantadaAccommodation
Emma AcunaPrayer Support
Willy RamosCleanliness/Upkeep
Discovery/Membership Class Batch 2 ongoing. The 2nd batch of Membership/Discovery Class for this year was offered on April 25 and May 2, two consecutive Saturdays for two hours each. Five participants were present coming from two households. They will be received formally during worship service on May 3, 2009. Related to membership, a total of 186 had submitted their Membership Renewal Cards with corresponding Annual Denominational Contribution that amounted to P3,567.00. This contribution will be turned in to the National Office and the information to be used by SCCD as basis for official recognition of membership. The Board of Elders who is primarily in charge of Membership Tracking will use this in their visitation programs.
Church Workers to attend UCWO Annual Assembly. SCCD conference-recognized workers will be attending the Annual Assembly of LCSMC United Church Workers Organization (UCWO) in which they are members on May 4-6, 2009 at Bahay Puti in Sariaya, Quezon. These are Pastor Leng Lubang, Pastor Ronell Hernandez, Sis. Wilma Pelagio and Teacher Cristy Gervacio. Elder Emma Acuna, the Acting Chairperson of the Board of Elders will watch over the pastoral needs of the church and Sis. Cecille Mendoza over administrative matters during their absence with the help of the Church Staff and other Elders.
A Voice from a Communicant
by Jaenary Chelsea Reyes[*]
I was one of the 19 young adolescents who joined the Communicants’ Class in January this year. I personally believe that this class really helps us in becoming a better person. Pastor Leng taught us many things about living life with God. Some of those changed my life. We went to many places, too, at a certain point in our Communicants’ Class. One of those was the UCCP Ellinwood. I’ve learned lot of things in the history of our church. We also went to Fort Santiago in Intramuros. There are things about the history of our country that I’ve discovered.
The lessons that I’ve learned in the Communicants’ Class gradually changed my attitude towards life and my faith in God. It has deepened my relationship with the Lord and I met lots of friends in this class and now in the Christian Youth Fellowship. Without this, I may have not recognized Jesus as my Redeemer.
After we were formally received as regular members of the church on Maundy Thursday, April 9, the following week proved to be exciting for me as I attended the VCS Teachers’ Training. From being a plain student before of the VCS, I became an assistant teacher! I was very happy the day I knew that any communicant could also be a teacher, though in assistant level yet. I’ve also learned lots of things being an Eco-Kid, lots of things about God’s creation with this year’s VCS theme, “Listen to the Voice of Creation.” The students helped each other to clean the surroundings, especially their room. Even though we were exhausted each day, we chose to teach the children first before thinking about ourselves. Truly it was a joyful experience to be a teacher and for my voice be heard as a Communicant!
Youth Column
by Anjell Samonte
Going Going Gone.
I already encountered the story of the Reverse Creation years ago but did not keep it in mind, until I attended the Teachers’ VCS Seminar at UCCP Noveleta last April 4. The story was in the liturgy as Scripture Reading and included as such in connection with this year’s VCS theme “Listen to the Voice of Creation.”
Truly, we should be aware of what is happening with our world, our only home, our Earth. If in the book of Genesis the order of the story of creation was fearfully and perfectly made, now the patterns of that seven days of creation is slowly slithering into reverse. Possibly hundreds of species are becoming extinct each day, rain forests decimated and the sea rising again to take the poisoned land back.
As a teacher of VCS for the past two weeks, including the outreach-based I learned that the theme of VCS 2009 justifies the truth that God has given us a very beautiful gift, a gift we are completely trashing. It teaches the kids and us to appreciate and take care of the creation God has entrusted to us. As stewards, we must learn how to preserve and listen to the voice of creation.
The story of the Reverse Creation below, the one I mentioned earlier, speaks for itself. Its language is simple and direct to the point.
REVERSE CREATION
by Bernard Backman
In the end, we destroyed the heaven that was called Earth. The Earth had been beautiful until our spirit moved over it and destroyed all things.
And we said... Let there be darkness... and there was darkness. And we liked the darkness; so we called the darkness, Security. And we divided ourselves into races and religions and classes of society. And there was no morning and no evening on the seventh day before the end.
And we said... Let there be a strong government to control us in our darkness. Let there be armies to control our bodies so that we may learn to kill one another neatly and efficiently in our darkness. And there was no evening and no morning on the sixth day before the end.
And we said... Let there be rockets and bombs to kill faster and easier; let there be gas chambers and furnaces to be more thorough. And there was no evening and no morning on the fifth day before the end.
And we said... Let there be drugs and other forms of escape, for there is this constant annoyance - Reality - which is disturbing our comfort. And there was no evening and no morning on the fourth day before the end.
And we said... Let there be divisions among the nations, so that we may know who is our common enemy. And there was no evening and no morning on the third day before the end.
And finally we said... Let us create God in our image. Let some other God compete with us. Let us say that God thinks as we think, hates as we hate, and kills as we kill. And there was no morning and no evening on the second day before the end.
On the last day, there was a great noise on the face of the Earth. Fire consumed the beautiful globe, and there was silence. The blackened Earth now rested to worship the one true God; and God saw all that we had done, and in the silence over the smoldering ruins... God wept.