by Victor A. Violenta, Jr. & Cristine C. Atrero
Aetas from Zambales' mission church render their traditional dance.
Zambales District celebrated with a Thanksgiving Assembly at San Antonio Youth Center last 21 November 2009. The theme was “Pasalamatan Ang Dios Na Pinagmumulan Ng Pag-asa.” Bishop Lito C. Tangonan was the guest preacher, and over 500 members attended. This was also in line with the district’s vision to establish a local church in San Antonio, Zambales. It is the only town in the province that does not yet have a United Methodist Church.
The activity started with a parade around the town proper, with tracts and flyers distributed to the community. It was followed by a thanksgiving service and a symbolic releasing of balloons while people formed a big circle. The district also planned to conduct a follow up evangelistic crusade on 17 and 18 December 2009 at the town plaza, in collaboration with its local churches near the area and the District Committee on Evangelism.
This activity was a response to Zambales District’s experience with this year’s spate of typhoons. Members, particularly in Botolan, Zambales, were gravely affected. The district mobilized its Disaster Response Committee to meet their needs. Together with the help and support of local churches, annual conference, district superintendents of Manila Episcopal Area and the MEALAB Kamalig Relief Operation it engaged its members in rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts. The Disaster Response Committee also received relief assistance from East and West Pampanga Districts, Bataan District, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Asuncion A. Perez Memorial Center Inc. (AAPMCI), and Kapatiran Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. (KKFI).
Though Zambales District was a victim itself, it blessed others by sharing its resources with other victims of calamities in Anda, Pangasinan, East and West Pampanga Districts, Tangos UMC, and with AAPMCI and MEA relief operations. Zambales District survived and continues the faith journey.
The recent typhoons disturbed the peaceful life of Zambales District. Church ministries have been affected. Church members lost properties and their livelihood. Roads and agricultural areas were destroyed, affecting the business sector, farmers and the economy of the entire province. And yet one thing remains: Mission. Indeed, Zambales District is a witness to the community in the midst of calamities.
