ONWARD UCCP: FORTIFY THE FOUNDATION OF UNITY, PERSEVERE IN DOING CHRIST’S MISSION IN THESE CHANGING TIMES!

(UCCP 71^st Anniversary Statement)

THIS DAY, May 25, 2019, marks the 71^st birthing anniversary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). Over the past 7 decades of its existence as a faith community, UCCP has gone through great challenges and encounters. Yet God never failed to sustain us and carried us through all those tempests. Indeed, God is worthy to be praised and glorified. Hence the words of the psalmist reverberate as we gather to celebrate:  “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 115: 1)

 Today we reaffirm our unity in Christ, the Son of the Living God, even as we also resoundingly declare our accord with each part of the whole constituents in pursuing Christ’s mission in these changing times, notwithstanding any obstacles that come in the way. Even as our unity is being threatened at this juncture of our life, we will never consent with anyone who is out to destroy the bond of faith that unites us. We will continue to persevere in doing our shared tasks of doing Christ’s mission in season or out of season.

WE implore all our constituents not to be perturbed by the noise of those who pretend to be like meek doves but with doubtful and spiteful intents.

We beseech all our faithful local churches, conferences, church workers and individual members to respect and submit to orders and decisions of NCDCR, being the chief arbiter of conflict and the highest court of the church. Let us not engage in pointless debates or arguments with the detractors of our national leadership especially in social media as it will only tarnish the good integrity of our beloved church.

In solemn prayers and utmost gratefulness to God, we reiterate that we steadily stand together as ONE UCCP!

“Onward UCCP: Fortify the foundation of our unity, persevere in doing Christ’s mission in these changing times.”

THE UCCP COUNCIL OF BISHOPS
May 25, 2019

Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog
General Secretary

Bishop Joseph G. Agpaoa
North Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Emergencio D. Padillo
Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Joel E. Tendero
South Luzon Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Jerome C. Baris
East Visayas Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Feliciana P. Tenchavez
West Visayas Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Ligaya F. San Francisco
Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area

Bishop Hamuel G. Tequis
Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area

Bishops Emeritus:
Bishop Arturo R. Asi
Bishop Jezer E. Bertoldo
Bishop Isaias L. Bingtan
Bishop Erme R. Camba
Bishop Ebenezer C. Camino
Bishop Constante D. Claro
Bishop Gabriel A. Garol
Bishop Hilario M. Gomez, Jr.
Bishop Marino I. Inong
Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza
Bishop Roel P. Mendoza
Bishop Jaime R. Moriles
Bishop Eliezer M. Pascua
Bishop Dulce Pia-Rose
Bishop Elorde M. Sambat
Bishop Anacleto G. Serafica
Bishop Jessie S. Suarez
Bishop Rizalino Q. Taganas
Bishop Modesto D. Villasanta

Please click this link for the downloadable file, UCCP 71st Anniversary Statement