In Philippines, native wisdom enhances Christian spirituality

By Maurice Malanes, October 21, 2011

[Ecumenical News International, Baguio City, Philippines]   Indigenous spirituality is enhancing Christian tradition in some Philippine churches as they retrace the local context of their faith.

"There are several initiatives to bring indigenous spirituality into our churches such as incorporating the chanting of indigenous peoples into our liturgy," the Rev. Ferdinand Anno, coordinator of the graduate program of the Union Theological Seminary (UTS) in the Philippines, told ENInews on Oct. 21.
He cited the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, which has been promoting indigenization of worship. Supporting the initiative are seminaries like UTS, the Baguio City-based Ecumenical Theological Seminary, and the Central Philippine-based Silliman Divinity School.

He said through research and workshops, liturgy and arts students have tapped indigenous materials such as gongs, traditional drums and bamboos, instead of organ or piano, to enhance worship in some local churches.
"At our seminary, indigenous theology and spirituality are perspectives through which we are trying to review our historic doctrinal affirmations and traditional theological themes," said Anno.

He said indigenous theologies are part of a course in contemporary theologies and is being offered as an elective in the Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Theology programs.  Those interested can also pursue graduate studies in indigenous theologies.

Since it became autonomous from the U.S. based Episcopal Church in 1990, the Episcopal Church of the Philippines was also given "an opportunity to integrate our indigenous faith expressions in our liturgy and music," the Rev. David Tabo-oy, Episcopal Church of the Philippines evangelism and Christian education coordinator, told ENInews on Oct. 21

He cited locally composed hymns, a Book of Common Prayer, and a liturgical guide, which integrate indigenous practices into church services.

In two separate forums earlier this month, Anno and Tabo-oy both stressed that divinity or spirituality is not the monopoly of Christianity, or any established religion, but is present in every culture. Hosted by Ecumenical Theological Seminary, the forums were part of a series of churches and civic groups' activities in celebration of October as "Indigenous Peoples Month."
"In solidarity with our indigenous peoples, let us draw our divinity or spirituality from the rich wells of our native wisdom," Anno said.

Noting the indigenous peoples' close affinity with the land and nature, Tabo-oy also said, "Their spirituality and values are incorporated with their way of life and are actually more spiritual than many Christians."

Indigenous peoples, roughly 17 million or 16 percent of the Philippines' population of 100 million, are those who have maintained their traditional way of life, including their way of worship, as they have been less colonized by Spain and later by the United States.

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Reflection on "Transfiguration" and "Disfiguration"

October 20, 2011
To: Winfred Vergara
Subject: Your blog post - The Transfiguration

Dear Father Fred,

Thank you for using the Internet to encourage us to think and reflect!  Your closing blog post contribution about the Transfiguration reminded me of some reflections that I have had.

The Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6th, reminds me that August 6th was the day the atomic bomb was dropped for the very first time on human beings, towards the end of the Second World War, on the City of Hiroshima. 

Three days later, on August 9th, the second nuclear bomb was dropped on the City of Nagasaki.

How ironic that Nagasaki was the location in Japan where the Christian Gospel was communicated by Channing Moore Williams, a priest of the Episcopal Church.

On the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, in the Episcopal Church's present calendar of scripture readings, we are exposed to the passage that speaks of the Transfiguration.

Three days following the Last Sunday after the Epiphany is the solemn observance of Ash Wednesday. 

I could not help but be reminded of the three day interval between Hiroshima and Nagasaki - both cities were turned into ashes.

The word used for "transfiguration" in Japanese can also mean "disfiguration." 

What God wrought and what humans can cause to happen - can change transfiguration to disfiguration ...  So I have found myself reflecting on the meanings of Transfiguration and disfiguration on the Feast of the Transfiguration, and on the Transfiguration narrative that we read on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, and then observe Ash Wednesday 3 days later. 

The 3-day interval is a solemn reminder to me of the massive "disfiguration(s)" by nuclear fission of Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945, and the meaning of ashes on Ash Wednesday.

Tim+

Email:  frtim@yahoo.com

The Rev'd Canon Timothy M. Nakayama, Retired
Seattle, WA  / Diocese of Olympia


- 1998-2000 NSKK (Japan) -St. Andrew's, Aomori - Tohoku Diocese
- 1991-1997 NSKK (Japan) -All Souls', Chatan - Okinawa Diocese
- 1966-1991 The Episcopal Church (USA) - St. Peter's, Seattle WA - Olympia Diocese
- 1962-1966 Anglican Church of Canada (Canada) - LamertonParish-Mirror - Calgary Diocese
- 1958-1962 AC (Canada)- SoAltaMssn, Foremost - Calgary Diocese
- 1956-1958 AC (Canada)-  St. Barnabas, Calgary - Calgary Diocese
- 1950-1956 AC (Canada)- Calgary and New Westminster Dioceses

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New Developments from the National EAM Council

I want to share new developments from the recent EAM Council strategic meeting and the Everyone Everywhere conference in Colorado, attended by all the 9 provinces and some friends abroad.

You may read about the developments and the conference in my blog:
http://travelinasian.blogspot.com/

FYI ... The EAM Council has elected new officers to the EAM Council Executive Committee, namely:

President - The Rev. Bayani D. Rico
Vice-President - Mrs. Mimi Wu
Secretary - The Rev. Irene Tanabe
Treasurer - Mrs. Inez Saley

The new EAM Council also worked on a Mission Statement, set some goals which will be announced later.

Fred+
The Rev. Dr. Winfred B. Vergara

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