Yesterday, my sister and I decided to pay a visit
yesterday in the ongoing Christmas Institute (CI) held at Anda Integrated
School, Poblacion, Anda, Pangasinan. We were joined by Aida, fellow Methodist
member. This post- Christmas activity of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship
of the Philippines (UMYFP) is observed across the archipelago. This is the
gathering of youth in all Methodist churches within a district to commemorate
the coming of the Messiah through various activities.
We reached the camp site at 4:30 in the afternoon.
We brought bread for our more than twenty delegates coming from our church. It
was the practice of the participants in different interest groups, so we only
talked with Pastor Carlos, his wife, and volunteers who were busy in chopping
vegetables for the pinakbet recipe. We met our former pastor, Reverend Garner
Ted and his wife, Manang Malou, who served as deaconess in our church. This
couple ignited my interest to join CI when I was still a teenager (sounds
oldie).
I really wanted to go around the venue, but I chose
to chat with them. So, what I had taken was photos of hundreds of colourful
tents pitched in the wide school playground. The scene made me to think back my
CI days. I never joined Boy Scout camping, so I experienced living in a tent
only in church activities such as this. Now, that I am an (young) adult, I
really want to go in the said activity even just to have sneak peak.
This event really made humongous changes in my
life. I owe a lot from the Pangasinan West District my life as a Christian.
Your UMYFP experience is incomplete if you never tried jamming and praising God
with other youth. CI is a training ground towards being mature in faith. Every
December is exciting because of this. The saddest thing a member could feel in
attending this is having the last appearance. Once you reach the age of 23, you
are now part of the United Methodist Young Adults. The organizers will announce
those who are “candidates for graduation” and be given the chance to speak
before the crowd. Sadly, I was not able to feel that peculiar moment because I
was in my starting point of my teaching career.
I only joined the Institute for five times. My
first time was in our local church at Tondol. I had my fourth appearance in the
same venue. Moreover, I was able to attend my second, third, and last CI in
Asbury College, Incorporated located at Poblacion, Anda, Pangasinan. Those days
were indeed blessings and life- changing. It is apparent in my writing that I
miss attending the event, so I have my list of the things I really like in the
said church affair.
1. Bible
studies
CI is the
perfect time to reflect, to renew, and to rejuvenate our faith in God. Bible
studies have a great share of pie in the Institute. Here, the participants are
divided according to age range. There are groups for younger participants,
middle age, and to the eldest delegates. There are sessions with lessons
crafted based on the year’s theme. There, you are going to do activities and
sharing. The studies are thirst quenchers for the soul. The lessons are
tediously reviewed by the trainers before teaching them for better delivery.
One of the
lessons I cannot forget is about taking care of our environment. The issue is
timely as the world is experiencing climate change. From that, I understand how
crucial the role of people in preserving the nature as they are trustees of
God’s bountiful creations. I have instilled in my life to be responsible in
managing my garbage.
2. Interest
Groups
Joining an
interest group is a must. What is this for? These groups are expected to come
up with presentations or parts in the program called as “The Big Night” or the
Night of Talents. All delegates should join only one group which will cater a
performance. Practice usually starts at the second day. Here, you will have the
chance to improve your talent or learn a new one. Furthermore, you can gain
friends because of this. You will meet fellows from different churches. I
overcame my shyness because of this. Some of these interest groups are hand
movement, skit, human video, arts, pop dance, choir, and the like. In the
recent years, there were added and removed groups.
For the record, I
joined arts group as a first timer. I am not good in arts, but I tried my best
to be dexterous that time in cutting paper. I had tried joining interpretative
dance twice. I devoted my fourth and last CI in pop dance. I cannot say that I
am pro in these fields, but at least I learned additional skills. The district
has overflowing talents. Serving God through different talents is a fulfilment.
3. Workers’
Night
It is a breath of
fresh air seeing your pastors and deaconesses singing, dancing, and acting on
the stage in CI. At Sundays, you see them very formal. You can see their other
side in the activity. Usually, Workers’ Night is slated in the third night. The
church workers do various presentations about the struggles of young people in
their faith or about the essence of Christmas in our lives as a community of
faith. You find them here like they are young people again because of their
antics. The highlight of this program is to unearth the calling of serving God
among the participants. They ask who wants to be a pastor or a deaconess.
Throughout my CI experience, I never heard the “call”. God destined me in
another mission.
4. The
Big Night/ Revival Night
The jolliest part of
the activity is the Big Night. Here, the groups are going to present what they
have been practicing for two- three days. The participants are donned with their
attire apropos with the group they belong. Seeing your fellows dancing,
singing, acting with gladness is fantastic. All are enjoying the spectacular
performances served by each interest group. On the other hand, the Revival
Night will break your heart. You will hear stories from people changed by God.
You will really cry listening to their painful stories. They are living
testaments that God really exists and He loves us no matter who you are. After
breaking your heart, the praying/ confession moment will make you feel relief
as your heart is restored with gladness and purity. This is the time to ask
forgiveness for all vilest things you have committed.
5. Lifestyle
Camping style in the
activity adds the fun there. You will be trained to be responsible with your
belongings and to be mindful about your neighbors. You are also trained there
to be early in taking a bath as activities there are usually started 7 onwards.
As a participant, you have the privilege to have an ID, a bible studies
material, and food to eat. These perks are from donations, so you will be
really careful and thankful for these. In addition, CI life is fun as you have
the chance to mingle with the participants and to know them more through
letting them sign up in your friendship notes of your BS material. Some of
those messages are from my churchmates whom I just exchanged my material with
as we feel shy to let it be signed by other participants. It is like a paradise
on earth that you do not want to have its ending. You will feel the separation
anxiety as you pack up your tents and stuff and leave the area.
Due to my age, I just participate by giving
donations. I may not attend the Institute, but my spirit is there through my
prayers and help I can give to my little brothers and sisters. I go back to my
CI memories every time I feel that adulting is harsh. CI really contributed a
lot into what I am now.
Going back to the story, Aida and my sister helped
in cooking the food for dinner. I just watched because I do not want to destroy
the appetite of the participants. My cooking is still terrible. We left the area
before 5:30 as we need to finish our test papers.
For those young people there, congratulations. You
experience one the best moments you could have as youth. Do not lose the faith.
Keep it burning. The last two sentences are what I always received in the
friendship corner of my BS material.
What is your CI experience? Share it below.
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