Evangelical Seminary of Theology
Matanzas
EVENTS / APRIL 2010
Credits Contacts Leadership Professor
SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION “RAFAEL CEPEDA
CLEMENTE”
BACCALAUREATE COURSES CONTINUE
DUTCH TEACHERS AT SEMINARY AGAIN
MEETING OF CUBAN PSYCHOLOGY SOCIETY AT SET
SPIRITUALITY AND CHRISTIAN ART WEEK
ABOUT FOLKLORIC DANCING
SEMINARIES ON PENTECOSTALISM IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN
VISITORS
INTERVIEW TO DR. CARMELO ÁLVAREZ
COMING ACTIVITIES
INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS AND ACADEMIC
COURSES
SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION “RAFAEL CEPEDA CLEMENTE”
LOCAL COURSE FOR SUNDAY
SCHOOL TEACHERS' UPGRADING
The local course for Sunday
school teachers continues its sessions at the Presbyterian Reformed Church at
San Nicolás de 
Bari. During the month of
April a specialist from the Ministry of Culture presented an Oral Narrative
Workshop.
Meetings at the “Hermandad
Cristiana Agraria de Cuba” (Christian Agrarian Brotherhood of Cuba) Church are
still going on where several courses like Christian Theology Knowledge and The
Teaching-Learning Process in Sunday Schools were given by Professor Clara Luz
Ajo Lázaro, and by Professor Nelson Dávila respectively.
BACCALAUREATE COURSES
CONTINUE
Students from the
Baccalaureate in Theology academic program gathered at the 14th
Meeting from 19-23 April. The students had an intense week and courses such as
Pastoral Psychology and Pneumatology-Ecclesiology imparted by Professors
Marianela de La Paz Cot and Carlos Camps Cruell were successfully passed by the
students.
DUTCH TEACHERS AT SEMINARY COMMUNITY AGAIN
Professors Hans Spinder and
Wil Arts were welcomed at the Seminary this month. They are part of an exchange
program between our Seminary 
and the Protestant Church
of Holland. Professor Spinder will present various courses up to June, while
Professor Arts was working with us during the month of April to present several
courses at the Seminary and at different churches and ecumenical centers in our
country.
Professor Arts facilitated
courses like Social Communication, Art and Liturgy, and Art and Spirituality at
Center for Dialogue and Reflection in Cardenas and Christian Center "B. G.
Lavastida" in Santiago de Cuba. She also participated in spiritual retreats and
handiwork workshops in different churches in our country.
DOCTOR CARMELO ÁLVAREZ
VISITS SET
Porto Rican Carmelo
Alvarez, Philosophy Doctor, graduated in the University of Holland, visited our
Seminary from April 12-29. He accepted the Rector’s invitation to teach here,
with the objective to reinforce the study area on Pentecostalism. This is a
topic of great validity today in the Evangelical and Protestant sectors. Doctor
Alvarez presented a series of lectures on Latin American and Caribbean
Pentecostalism at SET in Matanzas and at the Institute of Biblical-Theological
Studies (ISEBIT) in Havana, and exchanged with academics and researches on
religion in Cuba.
A specialist on History of
the Church, Dr. Alvarez has been Assistant Professor in different countries and
has been appointed Consulting Missionary for the Pentecostal Churches in Latin
America and the Caribbean by the Common Board of Global Ministries of the
Disciples of Christ. About the course he commented that, “with this course I am
obliging a request from the present Rector to emphasize the diversity of the
Pentecostal movement. This comes from the necessity to offer a theological
education nourished from diverse sources and tendencies at the highest academic
level and to strengthen the knowledge which churches require for their spiritual
and social work.”
“The Seminary has given
important steps in this search,” he affirmed, “for instance, in the theological
influence of Marti’s thought. The seminary has made efforts to face the present
challenges successfully; there are a significant number of faculty women who are
playing an important role in theological education, and there is an effort to be
open to Pentecostal experience. I am glad because even though I have been
several times here for other meetings, this is the first time that I come as a
professor, an honor which I hope will extend towards an ongoing
collaboration.”
MEETING OF CUBAN PSYCHOLOGY SOCIETY AT SET
The Board of Directors of
the Cuban Society of Psychology was in session from 22-23 of April. In the
evening of the 22 of April the Board 
discussed different issues
in a panel on Cuban Psychology: Current Realities and Challenges. The
meeting was presided over by Dr. Patricia Ares Muzio; other personalities and
specialists in Psychology participated as well as students, professors, pastors,
leaders and professionals from the city. They all debated on the challenges
which this topic poses for Cuban society and churches, and its importance in
current times.
SPIRITUALITY AND CHRISTIAN ART WEEK AT SET
The Spirituality and
Christian Art Week was in session from 19 to 23 of April, organized by Dutch
professor Wil Arts, a specialist in Spirituality and Art. Different activities
were carried out during the week; in the evenings she gave a course on this
topic for students. During the morning services a different artistic
manifestation was developed each day: music, dancing, poetry; the community of
Taize shared their celebration experiences with the group, and the last day was
devoted to meditation at SET Labyrinth.
A special moment during the
week was the concert by SET Chorus integrated by teachers, students and workers
at SET and directed by Luis Daniel Naranjo Lara, a Theology second year student.
The Library contributed to this activity with an exhibit of books on this topic,
presented by Professors Wil Arts and Daniel Montoya
Rosales.
It was a week in which an
atmosphere of beauty, art and spirituality reigned at SET.
ABOUT FOLKLORIC DANCING AT SET
Maestro Castellanos has taught folkloric dancing at the Seminary
for many years. People from all walks of life, especially from the city of
Matanzas, have come to dance every week. This has favored a healthy recreation
which allows knowing more about different cultures: from the eastern Macedonian,
Armenian and Hebrew cultures to the most popular Cuban
dances.
Doctor Castellanos is a
psychologist who has taught Exegesis and Biblical Languages (Greek, Hebrew and
Latin) at the Seminary for many years. The Maestro is nationally recognized as
the founder of folkloric dancing in the Schools of Art Instructors of Cuba. He
was awarded the special recognition of Outstanding Educator of the
20th Century awarded by the Cuban Association of Pedagogues in
acknowledgement of his contribution to the education of younger
generations.
The Maestro’s perseverance
and love for dancing make of these meetings a prayer to God from our bodies.
VISITING REPRESENTATIVE
FROM THE PROTESTANT CHURCH OF HOLLAND
Sister Hester Oosterbroek,
who is in charge of the Programs of the Mission Department of ICCO & Kerk in
Actie of the Dutch 
Protestant Churches, was
received at the Seminary on April 21.
During her intense program
in Matanzas Hester met the Rector and the Administration of the Seminary to
discuss interest issues for both institutions; she also participated with the
community in the spiritual life of SET.
She wrote later, “I
appreciate SET hospitality and all the arrangements made to organize my fruitful
trip. It was so good to be with you and to talk about future plans for the
Seminary. Thanks again for everything!”
SEMINARIES ON PENTECOSTALISM IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN
A series of courses were in
session at the Seminary from April 27-28 on Pentecostalism in Latin America
and the
Caribbean
imparted by Doctors Carmelo Alvarez, member of the Disciples of Christ Church
from the United States; and Nestor Medina, from the Pentecostal Assembly of
Canada.
The courses were in session
twice a week for three weeks and among the participants there were pastors and
leaders from the Pentecostal churches Sovereign Grace and Pentecostal Christian;
other representatives from historical churches were there too, such as the
Presbyterian-Reformed, Episcopal, Fraternity of Baptist Churches and Quaker
Friends.
Professor Medina explained
that the objective of these courses was to place the Pentecostal movement within
its wider historical roots, that is, within its Protestant roots.
“We also tried to address other
topics of interest for the Pentecostal churches as well as for the historical
churches. We spoke of phenomena of Pentecostal nature which are entering the
churches. The growth and development of neo-Pentecostalism was also discussed:
the apostolic movement, the prosperity Gospel and other expressions which are
creating confusion in Pentecostalism proper. The way in which churches may
understand the Pentecostal movement was especially debated,” he
stated.
“The need for the
Pentecostal people to seriously address Biblical Hermeneutics and to go deep
into the relationship between the Pentecostal churches and the social and
political activity is critical,” he concluded.
It is a significant
opportunity for SET to hold these types of meetings such as the workshop held in
June last year and the one which has just finished, in order to open spaces of
theological reflection for the training of Pentecostal leaders and pastors.
These are also spaces of understanding of historical churches towards the
Pentecostal movement.
VISITORS
On April 15
we received our sister and friend Merry Ansara,
director
of Common Ground Education & Travel in MA, USA.
She has been connected with Cuba for many years, organizing groups to visit the
Seminary and other Cuban cities, visiting other Cuban cities, and getting to
know the Cuban culture and the work of Cuban churches.
In this opportunity Merry
came with her family, her grandchildren and her daughter Ana Imias, who was very
interested to know specifically the programs and the curriculum which SET offers
to students.
“I really appreciate the
work you are doing here,” Merry added, “more so because of the ethical and
solidarity principles which you preach and share. I find the Seminary as one of
the most quiets and spiritually solidary places which I know in Cuba. People who
have visited you share the same feelings.”
COMING ACTIVITIES
GRADUATION WEEK
Monday, June 14
3:00
p.m. Ceremony of graduation and
presentation of certificates for graduates from the
Introductory Course for Sunday School Teachers
8:00
p.m. Consecration service
Wednesday June
16
10:00
a.m. Graduation
ceremony
SUMMER BIBLICAL-PASTORAL INSTITUTE
The courses will take place
from 5 to 8 of July this year, and the main topic will be Diaconía.
Applicants interested in participating in the Institute should ask their pastors
to contact or send an application and reference letter to the Coordinator,
Professor Daniel Montoya Rosales <intre@enet.cu>or to the SET Registrar
<set@enet.cu>
SEMINARY ON CARIBBEAN AND
LATIN AMERICAN PENTECOSTALISM
These
seminaries will take place at SET from 21 to 25 of June this year and the main
topic will be Recovering our Roots: Pentecostalism: History and Theology,
by professors Néstor Medina from Canada and Hans Spinder from Holland.
Interested applicants should send their applications to or contact SET Registrar
set@enet.cu for
information.
CALL FOR SEMI-RESIDENTIAL
BACCALAUREATE IN THEOLOGY PROGRAM
The coming issue of the
semi-residential Baccalaureate in Theology Program is open for applications for
the coming course 2010-2011. It will take place in two venues: in Holguin
province and at SET in Matanzas.
Interested applicants
should contact Dean Francisco Marrero Gutierrez at publiset@enet.cu for
information.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President of the Board: P.P. Daniel Izquierdo
Hernández, Th.M.
Vice-President of the
Board: Bishop
Miguel Tamayo Zaldivar
Secretary of the
Board: P.
P. Ismael Madruga Sotolongo , Lic.
lll
Rector: Reinerio
Arce Valentín, Th.D.
Vice-rector:
Pablo Odén Marichal. Th.M
Dean: Francisco
Marrero Gutiérrez, Th.M.
Vice-Dean: Iván González Tassé, Th.M.
Chaplain: Marianela de la Paz Cot,
Th.D.
Daniel Montoya
Rosales, Th. M.
Clara L. Ajo Lázaro, Th.D, Theology, Sergio Arce Martínez, Ph.D, Theology, Dora E. Arce Valentín, Th.M, Biblical Sciences, Reinerio Arce Valentín, Th.D, Theology, Carlos M. Camps Cruell, Ped.D. Theology, Alina Camps Iglesias, Lic, Complementary Courses, F. René Castellanos Morente, Ph.D, Biblical Sciences, Nelson A. Dávila Rodríguez, Sc.M. Practical
Theology, Marianela de la Paz Cot, Th.D, Practical Theology, Iván González Tassé, Th.M. Practical
Theology, Adolfo Ham Reyes, Ph.D. Philosophy and History, Odén Marichal Rodríguez, Th.M. Philosophy and History, Francisco Marrero Gutiérrez, Th.M. Biblical Sciences, Héctor Méndez Rodríguez, D.Min. Practical Theology, Daniel Montoya Rosales, Th.M. Practical Theology, Ofelia Ortega Suárez, D.D.h.c. Theology.
VISITING PROFESSORS
Prof. Ildefonso Acosta Escobar Music, Prof. Wil Arts, Ph.M. Practical Theology, Dra. Mercedes Cárdenas Hodelins Complementary Courses, Carlos Expósito Irarragorri, Lic. Complementary Courses, Esther
Fuentes Oliva, Th.M. Practical Theology, Carlos R. Molina Rodríguez, Lic. Philosophy and History, Sonia Montes de Oca Castellanos, Lic. Complementary Courses, Orestes Roca Santana, Th.M. Biblical Sciences, Dr. Min. Francisco Rodés González Philosophy and History, Daylíns Rufín Pardo, Th.M. Biblical Sciences, Prof. Hans Spinder Philosophy and History, Iraida Trujillo Lima, Lic. Complementary Courses.
Reinerio Arce Valentín, Th.D.
Edition, Design and typesetting
Elizabeth González R., Ing.
Writing
Rosa Bahamonde
Fernández, Sc.M.
Elizabeth González R., Ing.
Photography:
Jesús Martínez
León
Calle Dos de Mayo Final,
Apartado 1439, Matanzas, Cuba
(: (53-45)
24-2866 ext. 34
(53-45)
290575
http://www.cuba-theological-seminary.com/
Hinicio