Evangelical
Seminary of Theology
EVENTS
/ DICEMBER 2006 
Credits Contacts
Leadership Professor Interviews
SEMINARY VISITED
BY RETIRED PASTORS FROM THE USA
COMMEMORATION OF HIV INTERNATIONAL DAY
CELEBRATIONS OF CHRISTMAS 2006
ARCOIRIS PROJECT CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS
URM-FIM CONSULTATION HELD AT THE
SEMINARY
ARGENTINE PASTOR CARLOS SINTADO LECTURES AT THE SET
SECOND WORKSHOP ON FAMILY CULTURE
WORKSHOP
FOR PROMOTERS OF DIACONAL PROJECTS
BACHELOR IN THEOLOGY- NON RESIDENTIAL
PROGRAM
HISTORY SECTION II
UPCOMING EVENTS
SEMINARY VISITED BY
RETIRED PASTORS FROM THE USA
Headed by Reverends Tricia Lloyd- Sidley and Dean Lewis, and
wishing to encounter and embrace the peoples of the world, a group of retired
pastors of the Presbyterian Church of the
As
regards the purpose of this visit one of the members of this group,
Presbyterian Pastor Eduardo Seeger, who is vice rector of the Pan American
Presbyterian School, said to us: "A tradition of fraternity has always
characterized the close bonds between the Presbyterian Churches of the United
States and Cuba. We, retired pastors, would like to know about the ministry of
the
As Christians we wish to reflect by
ourselves and talk; we wish to do it as baptized believers.”
With regard to how to carry out the
ministry successfully, he stated: “The character of pastors is very important,
regardless of what they know; for instance, GreeK or Hebrew. The Lord uses us
as tools for the performance of the ministry. Some of us have difficulty in
communicating with other people; therefore it is more important to keep in mind
that we are representatives of God, of his son Jesus Christ, as we encounter
and embrace the world.”
COMMEMORATION OF HIV INTERNATIONAL DAY
Last
December 4 the seminary community met with local AIDS sufferers to 
commemorate HIV International Day. The students, who organized the
event, invited Seminary Professor Orestes Roca, B.Th., to participate in the
night reflection session.
Professor
Roca is also Pastor of the Fraternity of Baptist Churches.
This year again the Group of
Prevention of the province of Matanzas highly praised our seminary in
recognition of its assistance to people who suffer from HIV. This group cares
for the quality of life of those who have this terrible disease.
At the end of this commemorative event
the seminary community and visitors had a nice time together.
CELEBRATIONS OF CHRISTMAS 2006
Christmas Feast
Last
December 19 the seminary community had the traditional Christmas feast. It was
an occasion to fraternize with each other and share joy at celebrating the day
Jesus Christ was born. After the banquet the students provided a creative
artistic activity that strengthened the sense of unity of the great seminary
family.
Christmas Program
The program of activities for
Christmas provided an opportunity to celebrate ecumenically the 
birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This
year there was a varied participation of choirs: Arcoiris (Rainbow), a
children's choir of the SET; the Ecumenical Choir of Matanzas, conducted by
Gerardo Hernandez. Besides, Agua Viva (Life-Giving Water), an ecumenical choir
conducted by Harry Castillo; El Coro de la Tercera Edad (the Old-Age Choir) of
the First Baptist Church of Matanzas, conducted by Olga Blanco; and the special
participation of the Chamber Choir of Matanzas, conducted by Dr.
The audience, composed of members of
the seminary community and representatives from local churches crammed the
Resurrection Chapel. The performances created an atmosphere of love and joy that
made the arrival of the Baby Jesus come true in everyone's heart.
ARCOIRIS CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS
Arcoiris (Rainbow), a seminary project
for the benefit of children, had a busy schedule this month. The children of the
SET community took part in lots of activities that aimed to commemorate Advent
and Christmas. For instance, they helped build a nativity scene and
participated in recreational activities. Also, they received lessons on
Christian education and were helped to review their school lessons so that they
can improve their academic performance.
On the other hand, the Arcoiris Choir
was formed. This choir performed at Navidad Infantil 2006 (Children’s
Christmas). The adult members of the seminary community joined the children in
this event. They revived their childhood as they played with the children and
their parents, thus celebrating together the arrival of the Baby Jesus.
We want to thank Immanuel, “God
with us”, for keeping us company this year, and for giving us an
opportunity to put into effect the Arcoiris project as we worked together with
these children.
URM-FIM
CONSULTATION HELD AT THE SEMINARY
The Urban-Rural Mission of WCC and the
Frontier Internships in Mission Consultation was in session at the SET from
December 1 – 7. The central theme of this 
consultation was Empire and the
As regards this organization Professor
Masango stated: “The URM is an organization that works for the people
without a voice; the marginalized people, the forgotten people. It always comes
to support an abused woman or to denounce violence in a country. We always come
to the scene to witness the conflict and give it publicity. That is the essence
of our mission.”
“The URM is an organization for
the peoples. It is aimed at bringing the merciful presence of God to people
whose lives have been shattered. Our organization tries to provide the needy
with power, so that they can put up resistance to empire. In theological terms
providing power means giving people spiritual strength, rebuilding their lives
spiritually.”
One of the noteworthy speeches at this
event was the one given by Bishop Geevarghese Coorilos 
Metroplolitan, who gave a masterly
presentation on the theme:
“We must go back to the biblical
roots, to the model of the primitive church. This church resisted empire, even
when their members knew they were risking their lives. It is necessary to go
back to the teachings of the Gospel. There are two options: to worship God or
adore empire. Many churches of today have become centers of power and
corruption, and it is not easy to denounce all this. That’s why I think
that the only solution is to deprive ourselves of wealth… and to fully
devote ourselves to Christ.”
ARGENTINE
PASTOR CARLOS SINTADO LECTURES AT THE SET
Last December 
Pastor
As to social ecology Pastor Sintado
affirmed: “Social ecology is a viewpoint of ecology, seen from a broader
perspective. All ecological problems are social problems. Ecological
devastation cannot be isolated from poverty. Social ecology is based on the premise that exploitation of
man-by-man has its roots in exploitation of natural resources by man. It attempts to give a social solution to
contemporary world problems, including a critical perspective of prevailing
economic and social systems; it finds criticism of any kind of hierarchy: of
class, gender or ethnic group.”
“When we pursue an ecological
society, we also pursue justice and equality, plus the elimination of sexism,
racism and classism. We Christians must struggle for ecological justice. The
Church must make its voice heard; it has a very important mission to
accomplish.”
SECOND
WORKSHOP ON FAMILY CULTURE
The Second Workshop on Family Culture
was held at the SET on December 13 and 14. Patricia Arés,
These workshops aim to promote and
preserve a family relationship, based on living together harmoniously in the Cuban
context. In order to help achieve this goal, teamwork activities are asigned
and monitored, so that participants can acquire and improve knowledge on the
subjects that are taught, and develop positive actitudes torwards living
together in a family. Moreover, these workshop activities provide future
pastors and church leaders with effective means they can put into practice in
their communities later.
WORKSHOP FOR
PROMOTERS OF DIACONAL PROJECTS
The Workshop for Promoters of Diaconal Projects was held at the
Evangelical Seminary of Matanzas from December 20 to 22. Twenty- two
church leaders participated in the event. They were representatives of the
This workshop was sponsored by the SET, as part of the
training of our seminary graduates. It aimed to enable participants to exchange
experiences, and to promote their social integration and interchange with the
community.
Reinerio Alce, rector of the SET,
welcomed the workshop program, which was organized by Moraima
González Ortiz, Lic. During the event Doctor Ofelia Ortega lectured on Mission and Deaconry, and Doctor Raúl Gil on Deaconry and Mental Health
BACHELOR IN THEOLOGY- NON RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM
The Evangelical Seminary of Theology of
Matanzas announces the opening of a new access course in theology for people
who cannot attend school on a full-time basis.
BACHELOR IN THEOLOGY- NON RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM
First Session:
>From March 5 to 9, 2007
Second Session:
>From May 7 to 11, 2007
Requirements for registration:
·
High
School or university diploma.
·
Health
cetificate.
·
Reference
from church or ecumenical organization.
·
Two passport
photos.
·
$50.00
(Cuban money) fee for each session. (Four sessions
a year)
Full Capacity of Registration: 30 students.
Place:
Evangelical Seminary of Theology.
Preregistration:
>From now until February 28, 2007
E-mail: set@enet.cu
– Phone: (45) 29-0575
Official Registration: March 5, 2007
For More Information, Contact: Francisco Marrero, Th.M (Dean)
E-mail: publiset@enet.cu
HISTORY SECTION II
Gallery
of Rectors: Alejandro Alfredo Rodríguez
The
application of a comprehensive education based on the Christian ideal was the main
course of action of Dr. Alejandro Alfredo Rodríguez
He
first taught at the Sunday school of the Presbyterian Church in Santi Spiritus,
his home town. At this very early stage of his teaching career he admirably
began to link Christian to secular education, which he subsequently did at
different learning levels, from elementary school to university.
Later,
teaching at Carlos de La Torre School in Santi Spiritus and at the Presbyterian
Schools in Caibarién and
Cárdenas, greatly developed his teaching skills and made his love for his job
and students grow endlessly. These qualities became significantly valuable for
the work he did.
His
work as a professor and rector at the Evangelical Seminary of Theology was of
great pedagogical value. It can be
described as follows:
·
He
stressed the importance of linking what was taught to analysis, reflection and
reasoning. As his students used to say, there was always a logical relationship
in his explanations.
·
He
made use of an interdisciplinary approach to teaching. He always highlighted
the necessity of an all-embracing education, including radio courses, didactic
lessons, literacy programs and sports.
·
He
believed that relationships between professors and students should be
fraternal, an idea he faithfully defended. He thought this was the way to
educate true pastors. Besides, he emphasized that courses and professors should
cater for students of all abilities so that they were helped to achieve common
goals.
Dr.
Rodríguez
Dr.
Alejandro Alfredo Rodríguez
Finally
we’d like to quote Rafael Cepeda, the first Cuban professor at the SET,
when he said: “Human beings can play a leading role in history if they
are able to be faithful representatives of God’s historical projects,
even if they don’t believe in Him.”
(To
be continued in the January issue)
UPCOMING EVENTS
From January 23 to 24, 2007
Meeting on Theology with the Seminary of
From February 19 to March 1, 2007
Second
Meeting on Master’s Degree
From March 5 to 9, 2007
First Session of Bachelor in Theology- Non Residential
Program at the SET, Matanzas
(World History, History
of the Church I, Techniques of Study, Educational Ministry I)
From May 7 to 11, 2007
Second
Session of Bachelor in
Theology- Non Residential Program at the SET, Matanzas
(History of the Church II,
Introd. to the Bible, Introd. to Theology, Homiletics)
From May 14 to 24, 2007
Third Meeting on Master’s Degree
AN ALL-EMBRACING VIEW OF THE EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY OF
THE CHURCH
From November 16-23, as part of the
Master’s Degree curriculum of the SET, an intensive course called: An All-Embracing View of the Educational Ministry of the
Church, was taught by Dr. Fernando Cascante Gómez, a Costa Rican pastor and
professor who currently teaches at Union-Presbyterian School of Christian
Education, in
Dr. Cascante also gave a lecture on Theoretical
and Practical Fundamentals of Christian Education in the 21st
Century. With regard to the paramount importance of Christian education, the
professor affirmed: “The identity of Christians in particular and of the
Church in general is endangered without a process of formation of faith.
Without a serious practice of faith formation, the mission of the Church in the
world becomes inefficient and even obsolete. That’s why the educational
ministry of the Church must be all-embracing, which implies that not only must
there be concern for the life of Christians or the congregation, but also for
the Church’s mission of service and testimony of the Kingdom of God on earth.”
“In order to accomplish this
all-embracing mission successfully, firstly it is important that the
Theological training that pastors receive at seminaries be aimed at
transcending the way of understanding Christian education. Christian education
should not be seen as a simple group of educational methods and techniques that
are only practiced in the context of the temple, but as the core of the
ministry. Secondly, it is necessary that the adult congregation (parents,
grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc) be trained, for they are responsible for the
education of the young in the faith. And thirdly, it is required that pastors
and church leaders be called upon to follow the example of Jesus who, being
guided by the Holy Spirit, committed himself to the Kingdom of God, the
destitute and the oppressed people in the world.”
“In the particular case of
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
President of the Board: Bishop Miguel Tamayo Zaldivar
Vice-President of the Board:
Secretary of the Board: Odette
Naranjo Colón
-00-
Rector:
Vice-rector: Pablo
Dean:
Vice-Dean: Norca Iglesias Zúñiga, B.Ed.
Chaplain: Wil
Arts Ph.M.
Clara L. Ajo Lázaro, Th.D, Theology,
VISITING PROFESSORS
Prof. Ildefonso Acosta
Escobar Music, Prof. Wil Arts, Ph.M. Practical Theology, Dra. Mercedes Cárdenas Hodelins Complementary Courses,
Edition:
Elizabeth González R., Ing.
Writing
Elizabeth
González R., Ing.
Design and typesetting
José O. González, Lic.
Photography:
Jesús Martínez León
Calle Dos de Mayo Final, Apartado 1439, Matanzas,
Cuba
(: (53-45) 24-2866 ext. 14
7: (53-45) 25-3391
http://cuba-theological-seminary.org
Hinicio