February 11, 2005

Surigao City
The Congregation of the Peace UCC,


Greetings from the Philippines.

Allow us to express our sincerest apology for the delay in relaying information to you. This was caused by a number of factors, including our limited technology as we have no sufficient IT equipments (e.g. computers) and difficulty to convene the regular meeting of the Partnerships, Ecumenical and External Relations (PEER) Committee, which is mandated by the conference council to pursue this partnership.

However, we are hopeful that you can bear with our past difficulties and together continue to seek ways to develop our partnership.

We are in good spirit to inform you that the PEER Committee was finally convened and is determined to improve our correspondence, and establish mechanism to provide you with regularly information regarding our activities here and share with you our program experiences. The PEER Committee of the SUDISCON is comprised of representatives from the Clergy and Lay People. Among such are Rev. Jovenal Bagnol, ex-officio, Rev. Modesto Villasanta, Rev. Isaias Morales, Rev. Jose Tabamo, Mr. Greggo Uriarte, Mr. Ramil Oribe and Mrs. Ina Turo-turo.

For the past year, the SUDISCON has initiated a number of significant programs, which contributes greatly to our conference ministry. These programs, though are part of the over-all program direction of the UCCP, but in our case, was given more emphasis as it responds directly to the needs in our communities.

Among such are :

The Iglesia Filipina Indepiendente (IFI) and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines Partnership
This is a bilateral effort towards inter-denominational dialogue based on the IFI-UCCP Covenant of Partnership of 1999. The SUDISCON has been actively pursuing for the establishment of a functional mechanism for this local partnership for the past years and only last November 2004, the formal formation of the IFI-UCCP Joint programs and Service Committee was formed. This committee was tasked to facilitate collective institutional efforts of both churches in responding to religious and social concerns. As result a number of joint liturgical celebrations were already conducted, including the jointly sponsored Forum on Human Rights which was conducted last December 10, 2004. Another Diocese / Conference – Level Meeting is scheduled on February 2! 8, 2005 which will be hosted by the SUDISCON.

The Lay Ministry Development Training ( LAMDET )
This is a special staggered course for the lay people, aimed to provide basic theological and ministerial orientation. This was pursued as a measure to develop active lay leaders to assist the clergy in church administration and evangelism. For the Year 2004, two LAMDET were conducted in Surigao del Norte and Sur, of which a total of 47 lay leaders have completed the course.

At present, Another batch numbering to 42 are currently in their second session. Among its faculty are the members of the Clergy Formation Committee and the Christian Education and Nurture.

The Children’s Ministry
Although this has been implemented in almost all SUDISCON local churches, a new approach is being developed and implemented in the local church of Matin-ao, Mainit, Surigao del Norte. This approach incorporates other focus aside from the basic preparatory school curriculum.

In the past school year ( 2004-2005 ) a total of 32 children had graduated from the Children’s Learning Center in Matin-ao.

The Pastors’ Fellowship
This annual activity was started in the late 1980s, and at present had become one of the significant “fellowship” activities among the Clergy and their families. Last December 16, 2004 the Clergy (CWACON and MSA) in the local churches in Surigao del Sur had their two-day fellowship in Mangagoy, Bislig City, and the Clergy in Surigao del Norte held their fellowship in Tubod, Surigao del Norte.

The fellowship has provided a festive venue for celebration and sharing of concerns and accomplishments among the clergy.

Other Concerns:
On the other hand, the SUDISCON has also responded to much larger concerns, specifically, the socio-economic and political issues confronting our local communities.

Foremost is the continuing campaign against mining, which the National Government thru its Mining Law of 1995 had granted liberal concession to foreign-owned firms, at the expense of our natural resources. This mining activities focused only in extractions and adheres no provision to at least “sustain” the environment. Further, the operation of at least eight foreign-owned mining firms in Surigao del Norte had led to the dislocation of our marginal farmers and indigenous people and in some cases to direct violations of their civil and basic human rights.

At present, the SUDISCON in cooperation with other NGOs, and cause-oriented groups has been campaigning to repeal such law, and prevent the destruction of our upland and coastal reserves.

Another social issue, in which the UCCP in general and the SUDISCON in particular, has mad explicit its stand, is the issue on the increased of Value Added Tax (VAT) and other related Tax-Increase measures imposed by the government to the already impoverished citizenry. This is a blatant exploitation, as the tax increases did not even match in the smallest degree, to the amount of public spending the government provided to its basic social services. As experienced, most of the revenues collected from the people further fuelled the already malignant corruption in the government bureaucracy.

On the lighter side, the SUDISCON is now engaged in its preparations for the annual summer activities. The most significant is the Annual Conference, which will be attended by the representatives of all the local churches of the UCCP in the SUSDISCON. This year’s Annual Conference will be held on April 11-17, 2005 in Dinagat Island, where the Tubajon Church will act as the host.

Our youth leaders and the CEN, are also busy in their preparation for the Annual Youth Camp, which will be held on April 21-27, 2005 in Anislagan, Placer, Surigao del Norte. This youth fellowship is estimated to be participated by not less 200 youth leaders. The theme for this gathering focuses on the Integrity of God’s Creation and the Role of the Youth in the Struggle for Just Peace.

This are all for now, we will communicate soon and share with you more updates of our ministry.

In Christ,

SGD. Rev. Jovenal Bagnol, Conference Minister
and the PEER Committee of the SUDISCON