Divinity School celebrates a century of faithful service
Amid the pandemic, the Silliman University Divinity School (SUDS) will celebrate its 100th anniversary through a virtual gathering to be participated by the alumni, former students, former and present faculty, church workers, friends, partners, and benefactors. The activities will run from August 28 until 30, 2021.
To begin the three-day virtual gathering is the Opening Worship which will be aired live via ZOOM and Facebook through the Silliman University Divinity School Centennial Celebration 2021 Facebook page. Rev. Derek Duncan from the Disciple of Christ and United Church of Christ USA will deliver the sermon for the said worship service along with the Centennial Choir singing the anthem, a choral arrangement of the hymn composed by alumna Helen Sumagang-Tejero entitled, “Magpasalamat.”
The following day, Sunday, August 29, the activities are set to begin at 2 p.m. with the virtual book launching of “Hinalad” (offered), a Cebuano liturgical music project by Divinity School church music mentor, Asst. Prof. Jean Cuanan-Nalam and Silliman alumnus, Dr. Dave Fabe. The collection includes 20 anthems and 27 responses, all original works in Cebuano.
Afterward, Bishop Jerome Baris from the West Visayas Jurisdictional Area of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) will lead the participants in a virtual bible study session, moderated by SUDS Alumni National President, Rev. Goel Bagundol. Then, Rev. Dr. Lope Robin will deliver the Paul Lauby Lecture and Exposition of the Theme. This session will be moderated by Rev. January Alpuerto.
To cap the day’s activities is a book launching ceremony by three authors: former SUDS dean, Dr. Levi Oracion and alumni, Rev. Dr. Juancho Campanano and Rev. Dr. Melanio Aoanan.
On August 30, the day starts with a memorial service to remember the alumni, faculty, students, staff, benefactors, and church workers who have passed on to the beyond. The message will be shared by Rev. Dr. Juancho and Rev. Digna Campañano.
Following the memorial service is a segment titled, “Alumni Speak” where three alumni will share about specific aspects, namely: Rev. Paunil Abella on Student Life; Rev. Liza Yañez on Life After Graduation, and Mr. Keith Quebral on Vision for the SUDS. This will be hosted by Rev. Jhossana Morales.
By 10:30 a.m. on August 30, the Diakonia Awards will be presented to the chosen alumni who have been unwavering in their work of ministry. Also, we are to present a posthumous award for the late Dr. Elena Granada-Maquiso, a Christian Education professor, indigenous hymn writer, and cultural worker, whose life and work paved the way to the indigenization of worship in our local churches today.“Alumni Convos” will also be held during an allotted time for the alumni to openly share their experiences while at the Divinity School.
By 4 p.m., the celebrations will come to a close with a virtual Closing Worship which will be aired through ZOOM and Facebook Live. The message will be delivered by the current general secretary of the UCCP and SUDS alumnus, Bishop Melzar Labuntog.
During the service, the Centennial Choir will sing the anthem, “We Have Come This Far By Faith,” a song that depicts how the formation center has weathered the storms and tides for the past one hundred years. Just before the end of the service, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Earl Jude Paul will declare the official closing of the 120th founding anniversary of Silliman University.
In retrospect, the Silliman Bible School was established in 1921 as a joint effort of the Presbyterian and the Congregational missionaries who were doing missions in the Visayas and Mindanao areas. The formation center’s establishment served as a response to the need to train Visayan-speaking evangelists, pastors, and church workers. Through the years, the Divinity School has served as a leading theological institution in Asia and the world in the area.
