By Mikee Natinga Norico

CPU College of Theology gears up for Summer Vacation Church School.

The Central Philippine University (CPU) College of Theology held its annual Vacation Church School (VCS) Summer Training and Orientation Program on May 28, 2024, in preparation for the upcoming summer program. This year’s theme, “Stewardship: I Care,” emphasizes the importance of responsible care for various aspects of life, including the body, relationships, talents, treasures, and the environment.

The 2024 VCS materials built upon the foundation laid last year’s theme, “Jesus Care.” Developed by Professor Milanie Arandela and her students in the Christian Education Resources Writing course, the program aims to instill values of responsibility, compassion, and service in young participants.

Ms. Alaizamae Nepomoceno, the CPU Theology Governor and one of the trainers, shared her motivations and insights about the event in an exclusive interview.

“This is a yearly activity of the College of Theology, and it is part of the curriculum. Of course, I should attend this training and orientation because I am one of the trainers introducing our lesson and the materials under the advice of Prof. Milanie Arandela,” she said.

Regarding the theme, Nepomoceno emphasized its significance.

“‘Stewardship: I Care’ emphasizes the importance of caring for the body, relationships, talents, gifts, treasures, and environment. It instills values of responsibility, compassion, and service in participants,” she said.

As a trainer, Nepomoceno prepared diligently for her role.

“I exert effort and time to prepare the materials, especially the lesson assigned to me. Being responsible for a task that was entrusted to me, even though we cannot achieve a perfect outcome, at least it was successful,” she said.

The primary goal of the training and orientation program is to equip attendees with the knowledge and skills to execute lessons and utilize the provided materials effectively. Nepomoceno highlighted the benefits for both attendees and their communities.

“There will be big benefits for the attendees because the Manuals of the lesson in every department are provided along with the necessary materials. The respective communities assigned to them will benefit well, especially from lessons that are very relevant in today’s context, she said.

Nepomoceno also reflected on the collaborative process of material development led by Professor Arandela.

“We spent almost the whole semester preparing these materials. We were the writers, and Prof. Arandela served as the editor,” she said.

Drawing from her past VCS experiences, Nepomoceno shared a memorable moment.

“The significant events that impacted me were the ways I had to lower myself to fit into the department I was assigned to teach and how to deal with the children,” she said.

Looking forward, Nepomoceno expressed hopes for the future of the VCS program.

“My hope for the next VCS program is to have a theme relevant to today’s context and of course, training is very important,” she said.

In terms of challenges, she noted the issue of participation.

“Some students did not join the training last year, and they were not allowed to participate if they were not trained. For me, it is better that all students must be trained because, in the training, we are oriented and we learn what to do, especially those students who don’t have experience in the VCS Program,” she explained.

To encourage active participation, the training sessions include demonstrations, practice of action songs, and interactive activities to engage attendees fully. The VCS program, according to Nepomoceno, fosters a sense of community and collaboration among participants through group activities, teamwork, and a supportive learning environment.

Nepomoceno’s personal involvement in the program has taught her valuable lessons about compassion, teamwork, and the joy of giving back.

“I’ve learned about compassion, teamwork, collaboration, and the joy of giving back through Vacation Church School,” she said.

Looking towards the future, Ms. Nepomoceno hopes that the VCS program will continue to integrate relevant themes and prioritize training for participants.

“Stewardship is important for a sustainable future. Programs like Vacation Church School instill values of care for the environment and community, shaping responsible and compassionate individuals for the betterment of everyone and the world,” she said.