ENCOUNTER GOD RETREAT
We CELEBRATE the success of our BISHOP's 1st
BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT which was triumphantly
launched last August 4, 2014 at PCU gymnasium. Pres. Gauuan
and the PCU Faculty Chorale graced the occasion. It was wellattended by 10 Annual Conferences!
It was a day for joyful and friendly fellowship games
amongst our workers. To the 5 AC’s who won, Congrats! And to
the 5 others, I know you will win next time. Let us remember that
we are like soldiers of Christ, sowers of the Seed, and athletes
who run the race!
Yesterday, I encouraged you all to join our new club, the
"3H" club. Let us have that deep desire to be Happy, Holy and
Healthy!
My Kudos to DS Rico, our Sports Coordinator! Salamat
din sa mga DS’s at mga pastor na dumalo, at sa aking Staff, AA
Reuel, sis Blessy and Bryan, and to PAC secretaries, Riza and
Marrick.
In the afternoon, I had a meeting with our DS Rico, Rev.
Atrero of Clergy Spouses and Deac. Nancy of Deaconess
Relations and Deac. Medy and we planned for our Women's
Volleyball Tournament which will be launched on Oct 4@ same
venue. Pls. pray for this, friends.
God bless us all!
Source: Bishop Rudy Juan, posted last Aug. 5, 2014
Praise
God for His powerful and loving presence
during our three days ENCOUNTER held at Knox
UMC on July 10-12, 2014. Being the head of
NWMMD-UMC DOC, I want to give thanks to my coworkers for attending and supporting this very
important activity. Thanks also to the EGR Team:
Revs. Sonny Dela Peña, Aga Bautista, Arnel
Vasquez, Marie Ann Balatan and DS Rico Esguerra.
Thank you also to our churches for allowing us to join
this
ENCOUNTER. My co-workers, let us bring
the FIRE of God to our churches and to other places
God wants us to conquer for His glory.
I really appreciate also our Praise & Worship
Team, they are: Pastor Nath Letana, Pastor Edwin
Abag, Deac. Irene Vioya, Pastor Emilie Concepcion,
Pastor Pearl Taberlo and Deac. Myra Esguerra.
Again, thank God for this ministry to my coworkers and to our district as well. I really enjoyed this
ministry.
We are excited for more ENCOUNTER. But
we are more excited to apply the lessons that we
learned.
God is good all the time!
Robert Parcasio
The NWMMD Transition Committee was
created during the District Conference
in April 2014 held at Knox UMC chaired by Rev. Carlos P. Onilla. Meeting and planning
followed for the purpose of implementation for the Church Workers and Leaders of the
PAC-NWMMD. The District was divided into two workshop seminar schedules. The first
workshop was held at Sandmeier UMC in July 27, 2014 at 2:00 PM attended by two
zones, zone 1, and zone 2, facilitated by Bro. Reiner N. Puno, Rev. Carlos P. Onilla and
Rev. Pearl G. Taberlo. The 2nd schedule was held at Knox UMC in August 17, 2014 at 2:00
PM attended by zone 3 and zone 4 which was facilitated by Sis. Lucy Sermonia, and Rev.
Ronnie Lopez. There were about eighty (80) participants who attended for both venues. It
was a successful event, though we were shorten by the time. “The time of transition for
pastors and
deaconesses creates the most difficult segment of the United Methodist
ministry. We find ourselves filled with both anticipation and sorrow as established
relationships are broken in preparation for "beginning again. "Some have found it helpful
through the years to consider transition in the ministry as though one is reading an
interesting novel. We complete one chapter never knowing what the next has to offer.
There is always a sense that the "Team" has prepared some nice surprises to follow. So is
the case with our "comings" and "goings" of United Methodist pastors and deaconesses.
We trust that the mighty power of God moves with those servants who give their lives in
ministry.
As always, there are many and varied moves scheduled for the NWMMD. In order
for healthy transitions to take place, we all have to work together making certain that lots
of details are covered. That is the purpose of the workshop. Both the pastor and the laity
are to share these responsibilities in order that it all be accomplished. There are no
shortcuts! You should be certain before the Conference that everything is in order for the
new parsonage residents. This information is being provided for pastors and leaders of
churches anticipating a move. If there is also a parsonage
committee involved, share
the information with the chairperson of this committee as well. Be in touch with one
another and decide how to cover all the responsibilities. Call your
District
Superintendent if there are any questions related to the materials. It is critical that you
need to be intentional about these transitional issues, and do all possible to enable this
to be a good move!”
-Adapted from the UMC Virginia Conference
by Pearl G. Taberlo
TO THE REGIONS BEYOND!....
Pearl G. Taberlo
Our PAC-NWMMD Mission is continually moving towards its goals “to the regions beyond”, for a
global mission. It has its existing programs for training lay leaders in multicultural congregations.
We thank God for the work of our Philippines Annual Conference (PAC) Lay Leader, Bro. Jun
Sermonia and PAC-NWMMD Mission Chairperson, Sister Lucy Sermonia for their initiative and passion
for Mission. They are our partners to dream a Global Ministry. We are blessed and encouraged by
their enthusiasms and spirits for our mission, that invokes us to dream and envision a global
mission.
I do believe that mission that impacts the whole person and society, is instructive to look “back to
the future” and consider the influence of the Methodist movement of the 18 th century, led by John
and Charles Wesley. The fervent, holistic and missional faith born in the “Great Awakening” still
drives much of global evangelical Christianity.
The call to missional faith is a great challenge before us workers of NWMMD. Let us continually work
together in prayers and realize the vision of our District Superintendent to create a Middle East
District. It is a call to the “regions beyond”, for the expanded ministry for the glory of God!
NWMMD Deaconesses. Photo taken @ St. Mark UMC
Teachers from different UMC Schools of NWMMD
More than 500 young people gathered last October 18, 2014 at Central UMC for the most
awaited annual event of the PAC UMYF, the JAMPAC. This year, we focused of the verse Micah
6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To
act justly and to love mercifully and to walk humbly with your God”. With the theme #OOTB:
Out Of The Box. The objective of this year’s JAMPAC is to provide a venue for the youth to
know their responsibilities as a leader and challenge them to respond to the needs of the
church and of the society.
The JAMPAC has been one of the annual activities wherein the districts are gathered together
to praise and worship God, heard testimonies of young leaders, meditate and reflect on the
word of the Lord and act upon it. This year, the word of the Lord was delivered by our guest
speaker, Ptr. Norman Feliciano from Middle PAC (MidPAC). He discussed on how we, the
youth, should observe the great commission, which is our mission; to make Disciples of Christ
for the transformation of the world. As Disciples of Christ, we are to reach out to other
people and share the Good News that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and after 3
days, rose again, ascend to the Father in heaven and gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us
in our new life with Him.
As leaders of our church, we are also called to our society to preach this Good News. And as
we see, feel and understand their needs, we can draw Jesus to them. We are challenged to
respond to this call, young as we are, we can be His disciples, winning souls and encouraging
hearts to accept Him as our Lord and personal Savior and leading them to live a renewed life.
This is our ultimate task: To know Christ and to make Him Known.
“Kabataan, anong say mo? Ako! Ako! Ako ang Pagbabago!” Si Kristo Higit sa Lahat!
TOTALLY S.P.I.E.S.: Living Like Christ
Katrina Dyangco
210 delegates, 17 churches, 5 days, 1 goal and a lot more days to live according
to Christ. In the process of understanding Jesus, the Christ's life, there has been
countless realizations and insights from the delegates, staffs and workers. Of all these
perspective (spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, social) of the Christ's life, we have
a uniting mission which is to live like Him. This mission of a life-time was known to the
youth of the Philippines Annual Conference - Northwest Metro Manila District through
the Christmas Institute 2014.
First day comes as getting-to-know-each-other and kamustahan. But as days go
by, we started talking about what the Bible tells about Jesus. Luke 2:52, "And Jesus grew
in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." is just one of the many
description of Jesus. Through the speakers, guidance of facilitators and the activities, we
learned how Jesus gave importance of His body, how He committed and communed with
the Father through prayer, how he acts with the people of the society, how he valued
wisdom and how he reacts towards certain circumstances. Testimonies from whose life
was changed and touched by the Holy Spirit was heard during the 5th day. This time was
such a blessing. As well as when those who have a calling to serve in the ministry was
called to come in front where our workers prayed for them. Everything that had
happened this Christmas Institute were not enough to be described by words. The
feeling of being there and being witnesses of how God's greatness worked in the lives of
every youth is an overwhelming experience.
If there is one thing I learned, it would be this: "It was never about you. It has
always been and would forever be about Jesus." No matter how old you are or how
long you have been in a relationship with our Savior, we are to live as witnesses of the
Almighty, a living image of God's compassion to everyone in and out of the church
taking the life of the Son when he walked on earth as an example. As we spend each of
our days as representation of God's love, we live with a question in mind: "What would
Jesus do? What would you do?". For we are here to submit and surrender our lives as
we take our purpose: "To know Christ and make Him known."
To be like Him spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.
Indeed, for the delegates of CI 2014, this mission of a life time to live like Him starts at
the end of this Christmas Institute, at the time when we are deployed as agents of Christ.
To everyone who selflessly committed their time, strength, finances and ideas for the
success of this Christmas Institute, stay faithful as God showers His blessings upon you
and your family. MGA KABATAANG METODISTA, MABUHAY TAYO AYON KAY KRISTO!
Be totally S.P.I.E.S., live like Christ. Christ Above All!
NWMMD-DS
Care Group
BIBLE Reading Marathon
Last
January 24, 2015 at the Plaza Salamanca, we joined with the National Bible Week activity—iProclaim! NWMMD lay members, pastors and deaconesses participated by taking turns in reading the
Bible from 8:00 in the morning, until 3:00 in the afternoon.
Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan and his Administrative Assistant Rev. Reuel Javier were also present on the
whole duration of the activity to give us support.
During the i-Proclaim, we gave Bibles to the passersby and to the people nearby.
It was a wonderful experience, reading the Bible in a public place. And every hour, we paused from
reading and sang hymns led by Rev. Robert Parcasio of Grace UMC.
Thanks be to God for the good weather and for the wonderful experience that everyone had.
i-Proclaim...ed!
PUMI-FEB-IBIG
Pastor Arnel Vasquez
"He loves me. He loves me more." This is what every woman feels during the Northwest Metro
Manila District's "Love Fellowship" last February 14, 2015 at the Robinson's Tower, Manila.
Who wouldn't feel loved if almost all couples went to the affair clad with red -shirts and blouses
and reaffirmed their love for each other before God through the renewal of marriage vow
administered by DS Rico Esguerra? Sis. Lucy Sermonia, who gamely served as the sponsors of
the re-newly wed couples and the said event gave reflections on love and marriage. The
couples once again sealed their love for each other by a kiss, wine ceremony and a dance to the
tune of the love songs rendered by the district praise and worship team composed of
Deaconesses Irene Vioya and Myra Esguerra, Pastors Nathaniel Letana and Edwin Abag,
Brothers Alan Capili and Amos Vasquez. An award to the sweetest couple were given to Rev.
Robert and Myrna Parcasio. Their display of affection for each other won for them a free
round-trip ticket to Boracay and other prizes. At lunch time, all church workers had "hearty
meal" that later turned into a "love feast" with the presence of a roasted pig (lechon). To
document the renewal of vow, a photo booth was placed to frame the "cheesiest shot" of the
couple with the woman holding a rose and a Toblerone chocolate. The afternoon got wavy and
bumpy as church workers filled the floor with their moves and grooves. They danced to sweat
and to death until mid afternoon. The time to conclude the fellowship came but the church
workers were still in the mood for love. Who wouldn't feel loved when there are sumptuous
meals, chocolates, flowers, love songs, dance music, wine, a partner and a friend to love
around? Again, the district express its gratitude to the Sermonias for giving us "A Very Special
Love Fellowship." Deaconess Marlyne dela Cruz served as the emcee of the fellowship.
NWMMD-DS Care Group
NWMMD Deaconesses. Photo taken @ St. Mark UMC
Teachers from different UMC Schools of NWMMD
JAMKIDS 2015
All participants of JAMKIDS 2015