TO THE PASTORAL COMMITTEE & THE CHURCH COUNCIL: Greetings of Advent amidst this seemingly difficult scenario around

us! I officially received a letter coming from the Pastoral Committee [email and a hard copy. Letter is available below in italic]. The committee was asking if I am still available and willing to serve as "ONE of the Pastors for another term." I initially said "Yes," I am available. But as I was further reflecting from the question asked; -- actually the letter seems that they are just asking if I am available as a Pastor. Aren't they supposed to ask "If I am still available to serve the church as Executive Pastor for Ecclesiastical Year 2012 - 2014?" From your perspective as responsible lay leaders of the Church, what do you think is the ethical and virtuous question the committee should be asking? After about a week, Mr. Aviola and I met at the construction management office. Verbally, the committee chair asked "how would you feel if the committee will recommend calling the Rev. Bernadette Morales as Executive Pastor for the coming ecclesiastical year 2012 2014?" My polite response was for the committee to give me time to pray for it and reflect. I suggested to him to kindly resolve it first among them before deciding about the four pastors item. However, Church Council special meeting came. I was present during the initial part of the meeting, but then I have to leave so you will have a free, responsible and prudent conversation on the matter. The committee reported to call the Rev. Morales as Executive Pastor. The council, on this matter decided in favor of the recommendation of the committee. In this light, may I have the privilege to ask? 1. To the committee: -- Is this really what you want? For me to vacate the Executive Pastor's post? Because, if this is really what you want, why didnt you ask me candidly? May I know the justifications so I can at least have a glimpse of discernment why should I be removed from the post? Correspondingly, Mr. Aviola said we are offering the said post to the good Pastor so we could have the best offer for her to accept the call. Again, Why? 2. As a Church Council: -- do we have to lure the pastor of such offer so you could have a favorable response from the good Pastor? If this is not something like bait, why can't we just call additional pastor into our pool of Pastors to serve as part of the Team of Pastors for the next Ecclesiastical year for UCCP Davao City? You may probably ask, what do we have to offer someone who is receiving and enjoying already this much? Is this how you measure the essence and significance of our Sacred Vocation; -- being a Pastor? 3. Is there a need for an additional Pastor to serve UCCP Davao City? If you resolve that there is really a need, then may I have again the privilege to know them? What is your proposal of his/her scope of work as Pastoral Committee so the Church Council will have an intelligent choice? If you think we need another person to be the Executive Pastor, did you discussed with your current Executive Pastor his proposed new scope of work?
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As a pastor, I was asked: "Pastor Wenzyl, this is a test of your humility." YES! Categorically, I agree that this is a test of humility. But isn't it also a test of humility and ethics of all concerned? It is a question of humility to indeed continue serving the same Church even if I am not anymore holding the same post. But did you also ask the Pastor you are considering the same question of humility? Did you also consider your ethics? The Pastors are called by God to serve Him with our best ability and capability. Whether we have PhD's or Masters or just the basic degree as required by UCCP, we humbly accept God's call. Where ever we are assigned and whatever are the offers of the requesting Church against the scope of work expected from us, we humbly accept the Pastoral call by God's grace believing that we journey together towards glorifying God. This is generally how we operate as Pastors. It is also believed, that God called everyone to be His Children. By that I expect much from you to handle things cognizant and mindful of your worth as Gods children. To tell you honestly what I feel: I am offended by what the committee and the Church Council did lately. Now that you have decided based on the report of the committee to call another executive pastor without verifying first my response, the message for me is simple: that I should make myself available for conference settlement committee's matter for pastoral assignment. Correct me if I received an incorrect implication. The context when our Lord Jesus the Christ came to earth was when cruelty, violence, manipulative spirit and death were vividly surrounding his chosen people. Until today, similar scenario is happening. But this should not hinder us from celebrating Christmas. This should not be the reason for us to stop ministering to one another. After all that was & is the basic reason why God sent his Son; i.e. save his beloved, restores his people, gave us life, free us from the lies of sin and empowers those who have accepted Jesus to combat the enslaving and deceitful power of Satan and lighten our burdens. It is in this light, that I am hoping and praying we are able to clear the air soonest possible. In Christ Service,

[SGD] Rev. Wenzyl V. Dejolde Executive Pastor UCCP Davao City 21 December 2011

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UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE PHILIPPINES Pelayo-Bonifacio Sts., Davao City. Rev. Wenzyl Dejolde Executive Pastor UCCP Davao City Church Davao City Dear Rev. Dejolde: Greetings from the Pastoral Committee! Once again we are in a period when the Pastoral Committee begins the process for the search and call of pastors to serve the church for the next Ecclesiastical term of two years starting June 2012. The records of the church show that your second two-year term ends on May 2012. However, the UCCP Constitution and Bylaws provides that a Pastor is allowed a maximum of three terms to serve in a local church. In this connection, may we know if you are available and still willing to serve as one of the pastors of UCCP Davao City Church for another term? We will appreciate very much your response on this matter for the consideration of the Committee during its meeting on Monday, December 12, 2011. Very truly yours, THE PASTORAL COMMITTEE

ELADIO AVIOLA Chairman - BOE CEREAL SABAY, JR. Member - BOD

STEPHEN FUNDADOR Member - BOE JANETH TEMAJO Member - BOCE

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