COUNCIL REPORT TO THE CHURCH CONFERENCE

(February 27, 2000)

Introduction

Another conference year has passed in the life of the church. From 1999 the church leaps to another milestone of its life. From its humble beginning, now the church has something to be proud of. The church is proud not because of its merits, victories and achievements, but because the Church through the Holy Spirit attained what are planned and are stored in God's databank. The following are the objectives, methodologies, victories and plans of the church:

  1. Witness
    1. Objective: To deepen the members' understanding of the Word of God and to become witnesses to the world. (In order to attain the objective the council set the following major activities: evangelism and lay involvement.)
    2. Methodologies
      1. The church has been conducting Cell system seminar every Friday afternoon and attended by 5-8 individuals. It started on July 20, 1999. Five cell leaders have graduated the Level I of the Cell System Technology. The seminar is proceeding to its Level II. And we are still encouraging some prospective leaders for the new batch of Level I.
      2. Through the help of the cell leaders and the Council, we have organized 13 cell meetings and Bible studies: Jerusalem (in the church)-Sun. 2-3 pm; Bethlehem (Bagong Silangan)-Mon. 4-6 pm; YWCA- Thu. 9:30-10 am; Gethsemane (Payatas)-Thu. 1-2 pm; Jordan (Riverside)-Thu. 2-3 pm; Bethany (Luzon)-Thu. 2:30-3:30 pm; Jericho(COA)-Thu. 3-4 pm; Love & Faith (mostly members from East)-Thu. 7-9 pm; Blessings (mostly members from West)-Fri. 7:30-9:30 pm; Bethpage (Kalayaan)-Sat. 3-4 pm; Vesper Choir (in the church)-Sun. 6:00-7:30 pm; Fairview- Sat. 4-6 pm. In addition, we have specialized ministries in the campus at Batasan National High School every first or second Friday of the month at 6:30-8:00 am, and in the Quezon City Jail every first Saturday of the month at 1-3 pm.
      3. The attendance at each cell meeting is as follows: Jerusalem (church)-15-20 parents and students; Bethlehem (Bagong Silangan)-10-12 parents; YWCA-10-15 elders; Gethsemane (Payatas)-5-7 parents; Jordan (Riverside)- 8-10 parents; Bethany (Luzon)- 8-12 parents; Jericho (COA)-12-15 parents; Love & Faith (mostly members from East)-8-10 members; Blessings (mostly members from West)- 10-15 members; Bethpage (Kalayaaan)- 6-10 parents; Vesper Choir (in the church)- 15-20 students; Fairview- Sat. 4-6 pm (prospect-8-12); Batasan National High School-40-60 students; Quezon City Jail-60-80 inmates. Note: all the names of attendees are recorded.
      4. The cells used Bible Study materials from the Bible League. Some titles used are the following: Tuklasin I, II, & III; Discovery I, I, & III, Ang Sagot, and Santiago. Each lesson costs 0.50 centavos. After finishing the booklet the student could receive a certificate and a big Bible (35 pesos). We expect to give 225 Bibles to graduates of the Tuklasin I & II, Discovery, and Santiago.
      5. The Good News Times. Objective: To be the primary tool of the church in communicating its ministry to the world. The official publication of the church has already published three issues (Vol. II, Nos. 1, 2, 3). It has regular columns such as the Pastor's Thoughts, and PK Patrol, timely news and features on Nurture, Outreach and Witness and other developments in the church.
      6. The Puno United Methodist Church's Official Web Page (http://www.philonline.com/~punoumc/). The church established the first UMC Web Page in the Philippines. It was inaugurated by DS H. E. Joy Cera on October 11, 1999 during the 12th Founding Anniversary of the Church. In the Page, pertinent information are posted such as Programs, The Good News Times Online, Pastor's Page, Map, The Marker, Gallery of church activities, chat room, e-mail address, links to Christian pages such as the GBGM, and Guest book. The Page is updated once in three months, and maintained by Rev. Ernest Serote, Jr. with a minimal fee of P5,000 per quarter. Since the church is online, it has an e-mail address to be used in communicating to people, churches, and organizations that are online. Our e-mail address is punoumc@philonline.com. We pay P3,300 each month including tax to the Internet service provider for our unlimited subscription. Further, the church's web page is now posted and advertised in the official web page of The United Methodist Church based in the USA.
  2. Outreach
    1. Objective: To become a healing church that will reach out, touch and bring people to Christ.
    2. Methodologies
      1. Card Ministry. The Velasquez couple painstakingly makes and sends cards to members who celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and sympathy cards to bereaved families.
      2. Jail Ministry. Sponsored by the United Methodist Men led by Bro. Alejo dela Cruz, and Rev. Abraham Gregorio, the Outreach extended its ministry to some inmates at Quezon City Jail. Now we have once a month regular Evangelistic Bible Study and Food Fellowship at the prison chapel (Every first Saturday of the month at 1-3 p.m.). We extended Christmas cheers last December 17, 1999 to some 80 to 90 inmates. We gave 100 packs of Christmas gifts and snacks to inmates as well as to some jail wardens. Pat Barrett of the GBGM visited our ministry on January 15, 2000 to observe personally the plight of the inmates, and experience with us the joy of doing ministry with our incarcerated brethren.
      3. Senior Citizens Ministry. The church has regular Bible Study with the senior citizens of YWCA, and we also celebrated a special Sunday for them. Further, last February 12, in our free medical-dental mission, we invited them and some of them benefited from our services. On special occasions of the YWCA, the pastor has been invited to give a prayer or special reflections for the elderly. Recently, Rev. Arevalo received a Certificate of Appreciation from the YWCA-Don Antonio Heights.
      4. Free Medical-Dental Mission (MDM). The Outreach Ministry has conducted three MDM's cum medicine giving in the church (August, October 9, 1999 and February 12, 2000). The church has been inviting the medical teams of Mary Johnston Hospital and the Supreme Court. We extend genuine gratitude to the medical director of MJH, Dr. Myrna P. Velasquez and to the Clerk of Court of the Supreme Court, Atty. Luz Puno for their unending aid to this noble mission. We now have a Clinic in our church and can now pursue this noble task of serving the sick with greater vigor.
      5. Feeding. With the assistance of Prof. & Mrs. Russel Garol, the church has maintained the Feeding and Study at Payatas Bible Center every Saturday afternoon. On December 19, 1999 we invited the children to our church and we celebrated with them Christmas Day. We gave Christmas gifts to about 60 children from Payatas. We also started the feeding program in our church every Sunday afternoon and it is manned by the two student deaconesses, namely: Christine Butaca and Rose Cabrera. The Payatas Feeding and Bible Study project is manned by Emily San Pedro.
  3. Nurture
    1. Objective: To be concerned and caring for the spiritual life of the congregation.
    2. Methodologies
      1. Worship:
        1. We have improved our liturgies: every Sunday we put religious graphics relevant to the Sunday's lectionary, restored Hymn of the Month to learn new hymns, and we see to it that our hymns are related to the Sunday's theme. The weekly liturgies are prepared by the pastor.
        2. We have a well-planned schedule of servants for every Sunday, which is posted in the Bulletin Board and also printed in the liturgy in advance. Servants are informed of their schedules through verbal information, telephone calls, facsimiles, pagers, and formal letters.
        3. To foster closer relationship, we had joint celebrations (of Morning and Vesper Congregations) on special occasions such as the 12th Anniversary Sunday, December Celebration of Christmas, Salubong Worship and the first Sunday of the Millennium. This coming Passion Week we will have a joint celebration of the Communion, Seven Last Words and Resurrection of Christ.
        4. We have organized the Vesper Choir. It started with 5 to 7 students, but with Bro. Romy Matulac as conductor-pianist, it grew to 20-22 members. Now, the Master's Seed Chorale has new choir gowns.
        5. The Nurture Ministry supported all the activities and needs of the two choirs. The two choirs have their own conductors and pianists. Their salaries are comparable with others. The choirs are provided with snacks/foods in their choral practices.
      2. Christian Education:
        1. The CE Committee sponsored a Curriculum seminar last August 1999 with Prof. Gladys Mangiduyos of Wesleyan University-Philippines as the guest lecturer. It is the intent of the Committee to devise an integrated curriculum for the whole church to be adopted by all Sunday Schools, Bible Studies and Seminars. The curriculum will help the church attain its vision and mission.
        2. The church introduced a new kind of Sunday School, which is a seminar-type of study. The students enrolled like in college and indicated their intention to finish the three-month course. Students were provided with materials such as lecture notes. After three months of studies, successful students will undergo an examination, and if they pass the test, they will receive a Certificate of Completion to be signed by the Council Chairman, The Pastor, The District Superintendent and the Bishop. The present attendees of the seminar on the Triune God are between 10 and 15.
        3. The CE Committee has already sent two of the church's Sunday School teachers (Lorena Dogomeo and Rose Rocena) to a Christian Education seminar held in November 1999 at the Grace Christian Church. In conjunction with the Witness Ministry, the CE Committee permits the training of cell leaders.
  4. Physical Improvements/Newly Acquired Materials
    1. For the Church:
      • The Church Signage with cross brightened with Neon Lights and Panaflex was built.
      • Stainless steel church marker that symbolizes the new vision of the church was posted.
      • Ceilings and roof of the church and also of the multi-purpose building were renovated.
      • Application to the Water System pending approval and installation
      • The church altar was renovated
      • The acquisition of the altar table donated by Justice and Mrs. Reynato S. Puno
      • The communion table was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Rey Velasquez
      • The buying of new communion set
      • Altar veils with four colors were purchased
      • The acquisition of the Pulpit foundation
      • Baby Grand Piano was purchased
      • The clinic in the ground floor was constructed.
    2. For the Office:
      • Set of Blue Sofa with center table.
      • Facsimile Machine
      • New coffee maker cum table
      • Coffee utensils such as cups, saucers, and spoons
      • Computer table and three computer/swivel chairs
      • Two new cabinets
      • One steel cabinet
      • LS-120 Drive (for 120 MB diskette) for the office computer were installed
      • Drapery and rug were donated by Mrs. Mae Cardenas
    3. For the Parsonage:
      • Set of Maroon sofa with center table
      • Two glass side tables
      • Glass table with six chairs
      • Side glass table with two chairs
      • Two vases were donated by Lina Alcances
      • Steel divider
      • Microwave
    4. In the Third Floor:
      • Acquisition of small cabinets donated by the Herreras
    5. For the Deaconesses Quarters: (The following will provided)
      • Two folding foam beds
      • One small refrigerator
      • One electric stove
      • One electric rice cooker
      • Kitchen utensils

Recommendations

The Church is in the right track based on the church's vision. However, we need to reinforce our human resources by hiring a full time deaconess. And a full time associate pastor.