Newness in All Things

July 2007 Volume 5, Number 7

“Newness In All Things”

Up until now, since the transfer of SCCD to the new church site end of July last year, members are still reeling on the fast changes that have occurred and continue to occur in the life of the church. The first year of transfer was indeed significant because day, week and month is focused on blazing new trail, opening new frontiers not knowing what lies ahead each step. There are no past memories of the new church ground and sanctuary to compare the events as God’s people journey along.

On July 30, 2006, the new church building, which only had crude two-storey structure of roof and walls, was dedicated to God’s glory. Floors were note tiled yet, back façade had not been plastered and so rainwater leaks inside the chancel wall area. Fronting the church then was an open waterway with steel frame of the box culvert sticking out making it an eyesore and accident hazard. The rough flooring in the sanctuary triggered asthma attacks and even skin allergy to some because of the dust. Windows had not been covered yet with glass and the verandah had no canopy. The ground floor was like a dungeon, as it was not painted yet, thus, creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere not to mention the dust coming from the unfinished flooring. For several months the DLA preschool pupils and church staff bore the inconvenience and dusty environment in the place.

Each month, however, opened to some improvements in the structure until we reached what we are enjoying at present. No one thought that such significant improvements would happen that fast and yet we are still left with a feeling of desiring for more. We are impatient to see the full completion of the church building with ceilings installed, interior painting done, chancel wall fully set-up with all the decorative works and baptistery cum communion table put in. Truly the excitement mounts up and we could not wait to see everything completely done. Cathedrals are built in a period of more than one generation even reaching to hundreds of years and still they don’t look as finished as viewers expect. What could be the end product of building activity may not be the originally designed plan of an architect because of the length of time ancient buildings were completed.

What is important in this is the process of completion and not so much the end product especially when we talk of church buildings or physical structure. In essence, church building activity is the gathered people of God working together and participating in His project of kingdom building on earth. Only the Master Designer knows what the outcome would be because He is the All-Present and All-Sovereign One who is in control of everything, not us, the mortal builders. We do not work on our own terms but rather submit to the prodding or coaching of the Master Builder. Every work then that we do in God’s kingdom always has an element of suspense because God does not reveal to us the whole picture at once but one part at a time until what must be transformed within our persons would come out beautifully. It is the Christ like character that is produced within us as we go about the building activity that God is after.

Every day of building which produces something new is a walk of faith. We continue to feel overwhelmed and puzzled at the many changes happening within our church life. New faces on Sunday worship sometimes warm our hearts but sometimes threaten us, too. We miss the “good old days” when everyone knew every worship attendee including his/her family lineage, when the church was still small and cozy, very manageable; when the town was still an agricultural village and there were no migrants. Times have greatly changed and we could not go back to the past. We have to move on and moving on means being confronted with always something new. To make sense of this newness and learn from it deeply, God calls us to walk by faith and not by sight. To walk by faith is to draw from the rich, unfathomable and inexhaustible resources of God through the Holy Spirit. To walk by faith is, as Paul in his letter to the Corinthians say, “is to fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

As we continue to navigate our way in the fast changing course of things in SCCD, let us ask God to

help us see the lessons in faith being taught us;

be open yet discerning of the changes;

be actively involved in the blazing of trails for

mission frontiers

yet contemplative and not forgetting the

truth that the work is not ours but

God’s…

July 2007 Lectionary
“Newness in All Things: A Call to
Walk by Faith Not by Sight”
1 Cor. 4:18
July 1 Communion Sunday
“God’s Creative Activity Continues”
OT: Psalm 33:6-22NT: Romans 8:19-25
Preacher: Pastor Leng Lubang
July 8
“Changes in Life: A Divinely Ordained Act”
OT: Genesis 12:1-9 NT: 1 Peter 2:11-12
Preacher: Pastor Leng Lubang
July 15
“Prayerful Submission to God’s Transforming Ways”
OT: Hosea 14:1-9NT: James 1:5-8
Preacher: Pastor Grace Fe Inocentes
`July 22
“Facing Boldly by Faith the Newness of Things in SCCD”
OT: Deuteronomy 33:26-29
NT: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Preacher:Pastor Leng Lubang
July 29 – Anniversary Sunday
“Celebrating God’s Unchanging Love in Our Changing Time”
OT: Psalm 102:18-28NT: Hebrews 13:7-8
Preacher: CM Rev. Luningning Llorente, KTKK

CM installs Pastor Grace Fe to office. The Conference Minister of Lowland Cavite South Manila Conference Rev. Armando Carlos installed to office as Intern (Associate) Pastor of SCCD, Pastor Grace Fe Inocentes during Sunday worship on June 17, 2007. Witnessing this event were her parents Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Yolanda Inocentes, friends and the whole SCCD congregation. Pastor Grace has been serving SCCD since June 2006 as student Part time Christian Education Worker. She is now on her 5th year (Internship Program) in Union Theological Seminary, Bachelor of Theology and is expected to graduate in March 2009. Pastor Grace was nurtured in UCCP Salinas Evangelical Church in Bacoor since childhood until she discerned the call to pastoral ministry soon after high school. Very young, at 21, she struggles so much on internalizing her pastoral identity and gaining the respect of the congregation who are mostly older than her. While in the seminary she served UCCP Real as part time CE Worker also from 2004-2006. She is the oldest of three children, all girls and are now in their teenage years, Traecy Ann, 19 serving as accompanist in UCCP Trece while studying in college and Precious Jenus, an active youth member at UCCP Real who is also in college. Pastor Grace Fe will focus on the Christian Education ministry of the church while doing pastoral functions and worship leading, assist in coordinating the Cell Group/Neighborhood Bible Study program and coordinate the Praise and Worship. She is also the Pastor In-Charge of the Youth.

BCE leads tribute to fathers. The Board of Christian Education led the tribute to fathers on June 17, Fathers’ Sunday during worship. Called to the chancel by age grouping, the fathers who were about 50 in all were given key holders and were prayed for by Elder Remy Gabriel. A short speech expressing thanks to them was delivered by 12-year old Julienne Jeremy Reyes and in the Offertory time, Sarah Fauni sang a song saying “you are my hero.” Following the said tribute, the United Church Men offered a song as well declaring that we have a friend in Jesus.

Sunday School holds Promotion Ceremony. Equivalent to graduation, the Sunday School held the Annual Promotion Ceremony on June 24, 2007 during the Children’s Church or Junior Worship in the ground floor while worship is going on at the sanctuary. Each class presented a number in culmination of a yearlong attendance in Sunday School, followed by distribution of certificates of attendance/promotion to those Sunday schoolers who are due for moving-up to the next department according to their grade level in school.

Simborio Children’s Outreach continues Feeding Program. The 6-month long Supplemental Feeding Project in Simborio that was put to a close on May 20, 2007 is being continued on a weekly basis incorporating it in the Children’s Outreach Bible Study on Saturdays. Snacks are served to all children, not only the pre-schoolers, attending this weekly class facilitated by a team of teachers. Simultaneous with the Children’s Bible Story time is the Adult Bible Study led by Local Lay Preacher Sis. Wilma Pelagio and some Elders of the church. This program is supported by SCCD mission partner, UCC Holmdel Community Church in Holmdel, New Jersey, USA. The pre-school participants of the Feeding Project who graduated in May have gained pounds attaining the desirable body weight. Profoundest thanks is expressed to the project sponsors Kabisig ng Kalahi and Mead Johnson Nutritionals.

SCCD to celebrate in prayerful mode 81st Anniversary. The 81st Founding Anniversary of SCCD will be celebrated in prayerful mode and in a simple way in solidarity with the hardship of the times. Activities lined-up on the week prior to Anniversary Sunday are Prayer Service on Wednesday, July 25, Power Point Presentation of SCCD History on Thursday evening, July 26 followed by an evangelistic film showing. The Anniversary Sunday worship will have for speaker the Conference Minister of KTKK (Komperensiya ng Timog Kanlurang Katagalugan – Conference of the Southwestern Tagalog), one of the few women holding this office, Rev. Luningning Llorente. A Potluck Fellowship follows the worship service celebrating festively God’s faithfulness with members’ bringing whatever food they have in their own homes. As had been started last year, a Special Anniversary Offering will be incorporated during worship as expression of thankfulness to God for the birthday of SCCD.

Project Nehemiah Updates.

SSMT closes as Ceiling Works 300 begins. Project Nehemiah 4: Share-a-Square Meter Tile is nearing its closure by the end of July 2007 as had been set in the project time frame. Following this is Project Nehemiah 5 which is focused on generating funds for the cost of ceiling works estimated at P300,000.00. Titled “Ceiling Works 300”, this fund generation scheme is aimed at getting a minimum of 100 individuals or families to pledge P300.00 a month, on top of their tithes/pledges and love gifts to the general fund, for a period of 10 months. Thus, PN 5 has set for time frame August 2007 to May 2008, hoping and praying that by middle of 2008, the church has already completed the ceiling works. Currently, the insulation material underneath the roof is becoming a home for birds, thus, in a little while it will be destroyed and would be seen sticking out. The birds, though cheerily chirping along on Sunday worship, leave droppings in the sanctuary. It is time indeed to do something to protect the church interior from these birds praying that God would help them find a proper haven. We feel sorry for them especially with the mango tree at the church ground, which must have been their home for hundred of years, now gone. We give thanks to God for the following donors to the SSMT, which has amounted to P519,332.90 including other fund sources.

PN DONORS:
Acuna, Emma / Madrid, Arman
Almendral, Cenon / Mabbatung, Susan
Agapay, Aileen / Medina, Marlene
Belostrino, Jun/Elma / Mendoza, Cecille
Barco, Ewell / Mendez, Susan
Barzaga, Nanette / Monterey, Aida
Baroso, Nida / Naty, Nene
Belmonte, Joey / Paz, Eldie
Cantada, Sammy/Ruby / Pelagio, Wilma/Gerry
Docusin, Apple / Pocula, Ney/Mcdelter
Calungin, Jojo/Letty / Purisima, Anita
Calungin, Leny / Ramos, Willy/Raquel
Cajudo,Juling / Remulla, Nureng
Candelana,Tess / Reyes, Carina
Cantada,Rene / Reyes, JJ/Chelsea
Cantada,Taleng / Reyes, Rizalina
Carungcong,Precy / Reyes, Ramon/Daisy
Dayrit,Juliet / Rimbon, Irene
Del Rosario,Linda / Samonte, Allan/Joan
Espejo, Myrna / Sapida Baby
Fauni, Leleng / Sapida, Mameng
Fauni, Lito/Shirly / Sapida, Rose
Fauni, Shonnie / Sapida, Viring
Fauni, Vic/Nares / Saquilayan, Allan/Teena
Fauni, Toying / Saquilayan, Ellen
Frani, Etti / Saquilayan, Leony
Frani, Monina / Saquilayan, Tita
Fulleros, Linda / Sarno, Rolly/Tey
Gabriel, Remy / Tabing, Malou
Gerero, Miriam / Tabing, Rosie
Gervacio, Cristy / Tio Family
Layaban, Buddy / Tirona, Faustina
Loricpo, Cresencia / Toledo, Conchita
Lubang, Ptr. Leng / Valle, Marlyn
Matro, Lodie
Other donors from abroad:
Baluyos, Dormafe / Orendain, Rev. Eman and Ambel
Camacho, Orlan/Sol / Ramos, Beth
Constantino, Cynthia / Tirona, Dominador
Fox, Mary Ann / Tirona, Task
Jardiniano, Ading
Several Anonymous Donors
Summary Report of Project Nehemiah 4: SSMT
Collections

• Local Pledges 134,205.00
• Donations from Abroad 105,115.25
• Anonymous 101,770.00
• Other Sources

Seed Money from PN 3100,000.00
DLA payment to SCCD 67,450.00
Others 10,022.80
Construction in Progress as of June 25, 2007
P7,632,411.43
Total Fund Generated for Project
Nehemiah as of June 25, 2007 7,701,186.19
Pew Project Donations Report
Collections199,615.00
Expenses118,500.00
Balance 1,115.00
Many thanks to the following donors to the Pew Project
Nene FraniEfren and Louie Frani
Sol Frani-PecacheJanice Pecache
Emer and Olga FraniMilan Frani
Miriam GereroMiriam Senedrin
Carleng and Noreng RemullaVioly Fauni

With the moving on of three faculty and two staff members from the DLA last school year to try another place of work are new teachers and volunteer staff namely Ms. Liza Mostar, handling Gr. 2, Ms. Anna Lee Guitones handling Gr. 3 and Ms. Lucita Angayon teaching Grades 4 to 6 subjects with Gr. 6 as advisory class. A volunteer force was created to address the gate keeping and janitorial needs of the school, which were left by two regular employees in the summer. These volunteer workers come from SCCD membership who consider it a calling to serve the DLA being a church-founded school. They are Armand Madrid and Aurelio “Mike” Maike. Below is the line-up of faculty, staff and volunteer workers of the DLA for SY 2007-2008

Pre-Elementary Dept.

1.Ms. Cristy S. Gervacio; BCM Christian Education; 6 units Early Childhood Educ.; handles the Prep class and Bible Gr. 6; Also serves as Part time Guidance Counselor for the first time this year; 16 years of service in the DLA, hired 1991

1. Ms. Lolita O. Ambay; Bachelor of Theology with 18 units Education; handles the Nursery and Kindergarten classes with Bible 4-5 subjects; 2 years of service in the DLA, hired in June 2005.

Elementary Dept.

1. Ms. Jingle Ancheta; Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with three years of teaching experience in other schools; LET Passer; handles Gr. 1 class; 1 year of service in the DLA, hired in June 2006.
2. Ms. Liza Mostar; Bachelor of Science in Elementary Agricultural Education on her first year of teaching but has passed the LET; handles Gr. 2 class; newly hired in June 2007.
3. Ms. Anna Lee Guitones; Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Science with five years teaching experience in other schools; handles Gr. 3 class; newly hired in June 2007.
4. Ms. Marilou Brazil; Bachelor of Science in Secondary Agricultural Education with two years of teaching experience in other schools; Gr. 4 class adviser teaching English 4, HeKaSi (Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika) 4-6, Filipino 5-6 and Science 3; 1 year of service in the DLA, hired in June 2006.
5. Mr. Johnirey P. Sapon; BS in Public Safety, BS in Education major in English; LET passer; Gr. V class adviser teaching Math 4-6, EPP (Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan) 4-6, Filipino 6; 4 years of service in the DLA, hired in June 2004.
6. Ms. Lucita Angayon; Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Filipino with three years of teaching experience in other schools; LET Passer; Gr. 6 class adviser teaching MSEP (Musika, Sining at Edukasyong Pangkalusugan) 4-6, Science 4-6 and Computer 4-6; newly hired in June 2007.

Non-teaching Staff

1.School Director: Rev. Calipay “Leng” P. Lubang; MA in Religion, Master of Divinity, MA in Educational Administration, BSE in Health and Nutrition; LET Passer; serves as the part time School Director and Fulltime Administrative Pastor of SCCD since 2004.

1. Head Teacher: Janet R. Malcon; Bachelor in Elem. Educ.; LET passer; MA in Educational Administration in progress; also teaches English 5-6; 8 years of service in the DLA, hired June 1999.
2. Business and Finance Officer: Rucila Tumitit; Bachelor of Science in Accountancy; Certified Public Accountant with 9 years of service in the DLA.
3. Secretary-Cashier: Estrella Frias; Bachelor in Computer Science; hired in August 2005

Volunteer Workers

1. Teacher-Aide: Tina Tirona, a member of the Board of Deacons, SCCD and active member of the Church Women’s Association.
2. Gatekeeper: Armand Madrid, an active member of the SCCD United Church Men.
3. Caretaker: Aurelio Maike, a preparatory member of SCCD.

School Calendar 2007-2008(important dates)
August 7-10 / First Quarter Exam (Elementary)
September 7 / Parents’ Meeting/Distribution of Cards
September 17-21 / Spiritual Formation Week
October 16-19 / Second Quarter Exam
October 30-Nov. 4 / Semestral Break
November 9 / Parents’ Meeting/Distribution of Cards
November 20-22 / Educational Trip
December 11-14 / Third Quarter Exam
Dec. 22-Jan. 2 / Christmas Break
January 3 / Classes Resume
January 11 / Parents’ Meeting/Distribution of
Cards
January 21-25 / DLA School Week
February 23 / Parents’ Meeting, Graduating
Class
March 4-7 / Fourth Quarter Exam (Gr. VI)
March 7-8 / Gr. VI Spiritual Retreat
March 11-14 / Fourth Quarter Exam (Lower
Grades)
March 31 / Moving Up and Graduation/Recognition Rites
April 4 / Distribution of Cards
Month / May / June
1st / 180 / 203
2nd / 182 / 218
3rd / 199 / 197
4th / 173 / 203
Ave / 184 / 205
Official Enrolment for SY 2007-2008
Level2007-08 / PTA Officers for SY 2007-2008
(Homeroom Presidents)
Nursery 15
Kinder 16
Prep25
Gr. 135
Gr. 228
Gr. 327
Gr. 427
Gr. 528
Gr. 625
Total 226 / President
Mrs. Jocelyn Mendoza
Vice President
Mr. Paquito Lopez
Secretary
Mr. Louie De Ocampo
Auditor
Mr. Ding dela Paz
P.R.Os
Mrs. Erlinda Gatus
Mr. Isabelo Samson