By Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
v16 ll A Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, v17that the man of Godb may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16
There are two important events happening next week in the Christian world. These are the annual observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the culmination of the National Bible Month with the Bible Sunday next weekend. These two significant observance are religiously adopted in this city through the ecumenical group with the Roman Catholic, Anglican and mainline protestant churches and for the past years the city Character Council.
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The National Bible Week (NBW). The Character Council marked the beginning and importance of this event through its yearly Kapihan Broadcast (radio and live streaming in cable television). A panel of speakers from the ecumenical churches were invited to speak about this event and connect it with the vision-mission of the City Character Council, and the wholesome values based and the Bible with the theme of this year’s theme of the NBW as focus. The Mountain Lodge along Leonard Wood Road graciously hosted the talk show.
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The NBW has become an annual event nationwide affirmed through presidential decrees of all the past presidents including the sitting one. Logically, the Philippine Bible Society leads in the preparation and advocacy campaign every year by convening representatives from the Roman Catholica, Anglican, and mainline Protestant churches to set the theme and plan for activities in the regions and could be adopted by any local congregation. “The Bible: Real Talk” with biblical reference in Psalm 19:7-8 and 2 Timothy 3:14-17 is mainly focused on the alarming situation of the young people with rising cases of depression and suicide in this sector. The younger generation suffers from not knowing where they belong and if they matter. They worry about stability and finding the right companion. So many anxious thoughts fill their minds every day. Hence the theme and focus this year. The Character Council has prepared the traditional parade of witnesses and program on January 25 (Friday) starting at upper Session Road (front of Banco de Oro) and will conclude at Malcolm Square with Bible reading, bible distribution and a Christian Musical Festival. Everybody is invited.
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The second equally important Christian event is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WOPCU) that starts on Monday. This annual event is a global Christian celebration and has been very instrumental in bridging differences among Christian denominations (churches) and is very much participated and supported in the city of Baguio through the initiatives of the Baguio-Benguet Ecumenical Group (BBEG). WOPCU was conceived through the World Council of Churches’ Commission on Faith and Order, and the Roman Catholic Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in the week starting from the Confession of Saint Peter (January 18) through the Conversion of Saint Paul (January 25). But the spirit of the observance has been adopted in most of the churches globally and is observed annually near these dates or other dates as agreed by the churches.
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“Justice and justice, you shall pursue…” inspired by Deuteronomy 16:18-20 is this year’s 2019 WOPCU theme. The preparations committee for this year declares, “Every year Christians across the world gather in prayer for growth in unity. We do this in a world where corruption, greed and injustice bring about inequality and division. Ours is a united prayer in a fractured world. This is powerful. However, as individual Christians and communities we are often complicit with injustice, and yet we are called together to form a united witness for justice and to be a means of Christ’s healing grace for the brokenness of the world.”
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As has been practiced for more than a decade the churches in Baguio through the Baguio-Benguet Ecumenical Group shall host everyday worship and fellowship for this purpose starting on Monday and will culminate at the Cathedral of the Resurrection (Episcopal/Anglican) on Saturday at 5:30 in the afternoon (January 26). Please come and join the Christians in Baguio city on this important event with the following schedule:
