UCCP Gender Advocacy: Human Sexuality Education

UCCP carries on Human Sexuality education curriculum.

Through the Gender Concerns Desk of the UCCP National Office, this curriculum intends to engage a follow up of Planning Meeting with UCC-USA (December 2016); apply  a Writeshop on Cultural Adaptation Companion for (our) Whole Lives;  train facilitators for  Whole Lives Adult Sexuality Education with Cultural Adaptation; and  capacitate jurisdictional representatives and Church Recognized Organizations (CROs) in addressing gender concerns in the local churches.

Speakers from UCC-USA, Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer and Rev. Amy Johnson together with Engr. Trelly Marigza, Consultant on Gender Desk, and Rev. Cathy Chang, Mission Co-Worker, PCUSA accommodated the queries of the participants. From August 9-14, 2017 at Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park, Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite, facilitators and learners capacitated the response on gender concern. This curriculum is a response to the Gender Desk concern to put flesh on the implications of issuing the LGBT Policy Statement. The concept and program for the Desk had been approved by the March 2015 National Executive Council Meeting. Rev. Jerlo Jaropillo, one of the 17 endorsed participants from the seven jurisdictions said that, “this statement (Let Grace Be Total) has caused so much reaction and debate and has kept the members of the Faith and Order Commission so busy in responding to various queries and clarifications and the need for biblico-theological undergirding behind such decision.”

Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza together with the Executive Secretary for Program Ministry, Rev. Rannieh Mercado, were among the ones who graced the training.

“May this be a beginning for the development of a more comprehensive human sexuality education curriculum. May this also contribute in enhancing further the Gender Justice Program of the UCCP,” Jommel Picorro, National Christian Youth Fellowship representative, remarked after the training.