SUDS shares best practices amid pandemic with partner seminary in Japan
“Online worship and technology are here to stay, and the new generation will welcome it. Our responsibility is to ensure that as we move forward, the new models and forms of worship and church we create are transformative, inclusive, and nurturing of building up the Christ in every person,” shared Rev. Dr. Jeaneth Harris-Faller, dean of the Silliman University Divinity School (SUDS) during a joint virtual worship and fellowship with Japan Biblical Theological Seminary (JBTS), October 29, 2021 via Zoom.
During the said virtual activity, Faller underscored how the seminary coped with the pandemic especially in the aspect of its worship life and in the pursuit of quality ministerial formation programs despite the challenges of distance learning.
Utilizing digital platforms
Faller shared the successful conduct of the seminary’s centenary celebration last August through the utilization of technology and the internet.
She said that she was amazed at how the digital platform filled the gaps of limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though a bit disappointed by the circumstances because of the impossibility of having a physical gathering, she was comforted by the fact that alumni and friends across the globe were able to participate in the worships and learning sessions.
Faller said she the success of events that reverted to the digital platform is primarily due to the people’s desire to connect, talk and share their experiences.
The Dean also highlighted that aside from worship and the learning activities, spiritual formation has taken a new platform as retreats, individual conferences, theological reflection groups, and even field education program assessment has been transported to the digital space.
Meanwhile, Sheryl R. Martinez, a senior ministerial formation student taking up Master of Divinity, also narrated the students’ challenges, breakthroughs, and successes of the Divinity School’s distance learning as well as the conduct of virtual worship and other spiritual formation programs.
Exchange of greetings and a discussion on Dean Faller’s sharing followed the said worship service. Prof. Makihiko Arase served as moderator while Prof. Akiko Yanashita was the reactor and Fuyuko Nilsson did the oral translation from English to Nihongo.
Leading the faculty, staff, and students of JBTS during the joint virtual worship and fellowship was Rev. Nozomi Jimbo, the current president of JBTS. Rev. Nozomi completed his Master of Theology from SUDS.
The said joint virtual worship and fellowship between the SUDS and the Japan Biblical Theological Seminary was aimed at reconnecting and sharing best practices as a theological school amid the raging pandemic.
SUDS and JBTS have been in partnership through various faculty, staff, and student exchanges since the 1990s.
(Report by Klein Fausto Emperado, SUDS Centennial 2021 Special Project Staff)
