The GA-UCCP Life and Ministry Cross

9^th Quadrennial Assembly Official Logo

The GA-UCCP Life and Ministry Cross: A Thematic Expression of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines

 Designed by Reuel Norman A. Marigza, Jr. – President, SU-Church College CYF

With help from the SU Church CYF and PKs:

Mercigrace Elm Yap Saa

Johanne Jules Saa

Rodulfo Ricardel, Jr.

Hazed Kynne Lagahit

Bonfilia Emille Utzurrum

Dorothy Jane Cedino

Karlo G. Villas

Danna Nikita Didal

Nikolai Concepcion

Bernard Ablir

Janel Ablir

Winahrev Golossino

Brimbery Cordona

Jan Boyd Yrad

Mary Antoinnette Enojo

Greg Dylan Amistoso

Jeremye Lagahit

 

When the Worship and Cultural Committee convened to prepare for this General Assembly, we prayerfully reflected on the theme “Discerning and Obeying God’s Call in these Critical Times.” We sought to find a way to tie together the liturgy—that is the entire General Assembly—while also exploring the different dimensions of the theme. We found an inspiration in the Maria Cristina Gomez Cross of El Salvador and have nurtured and birthed our own UCCP-inspired cross for this General Assembly.

Maria Cristina Gomez was a national leader both of Baptist women and in the teacher’s union of El Salvador, Central America. On April 5, 1989, as she left the John F. Kennedy School in Ilopango, El Salvador, she was forced into a car by heavily armed men in civilian clothing. An hour later, she was pushed alive from a car in front of hundreds of witnesses; four shots were fired and she died immediately; her body showed signs of torture. After her death, her church commissioned a local artist to paint a cross portraying her work amongst the poor of El Salvador. We were inspired by this cross because it reflects on the life of a woman and because it came from a so-called “developing nation.” It reminds us that all people are beautiful and full of potential. It also shows us that many are involved in the various ministries of the Church.

The UCCP life and ministry cross will evolve as we journey together in the coming days. Art is not meant to be explained in words; you are invited to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in bringing your own interpretation to the cross. For our process, the Worship and Cultural Committee embraced the Pastors Kids of Silliman University Church and other local artists to bring the worship space to life.

We will begin our journey with a Filipino family walking toward the juxtaposition of the cross and the “new day coming.” Then, we will place a child praying and a church worker praising as we discern in many different ways. We will mark the life of Filipino community and the contrast of the need for repentance for our sins. A rainbow will spring forth as a sign of our hope in the old and new covenants with God. Later, we will add the Bible, Creation and the Church as foundations of our faith and obedience to God. And finally, we will place a dove as symbol of the Holy Spirit who guides us to become new beings in Jesus Christ.

It is our joy to invite the whole community to join the liturgical celebration. Ours is intended to be an open space where we affirm unity in diversity and we allow for the people of God to speak from their hearts and particular experiences. We seek to include men, women, youth, and children. We long for people of different languages, cultures, backgrounds and perspectives to worship together and chart the future of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. To God be the Glory!