A letter from JoElla Holman, regional liaison for the Caribbean region
November 2011
"Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country" (Proverbs 25:25).
Dear Friends,
I had the great pleasure of spending the month of October in Cuba with the Presbyterian-Reformed Church, and I hope that the good news from that not-so-far-away country will indeed be, for you, cold water to a thirsty soul. My soul was certainly touched by the warm fellowship and the variety of ministries in which our partner church is engaged!
Residential students studying for the pastorate gathered at the 2011 SET graduation.
A grand celebration started out the month—the 65th anniversary of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Matanzas (Seminario Evangélico Teologico—SET)! The days were filled with worship, talks about the past and future of theological education, music, and informal conversation. The PC(USA), the Cuba Partners network and Cuba Connections were well represented, including visitors from Westminster, Minneapolis; Peachtree, Atlanta; New York Avenue, Washington, D.C.; Myers Park, Charlotte; First, North Palm Beach, Florida; Santa Fe Presbytery; and yours truly. The most impressive aspect of the celebration for me was hearing the speakers move toward the future in new ways, while building on the rich past of the seminary—and always with the needs of the churches in mind.
The seminary graduated its largest class ever this year—71 students in a variety of degree programs—demonstrating the success of innovative programming to meet the changing needs of the churches and society in Cuba. One innovation is the use of a distance-learning model, “por encuentro (by encounter), that gathers students in a bachelor's program for one week of intensive coursework and then allows them to return home to continue their studies. The program is offered in three different parts of the country, with faculty from SET traveling to the students.
Chapel and vegetable garden at SET.
The Master of Theology program functions similarly, but for two weeks at a time and held at the seminary. The flexibility of these programs enables the students to continue their full-time work and family life, while pursuing degree programs in theology, Biblical studies and theology, or Christian education. Within the Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba I am told that more than 80 percent of the members are new Christians—those without an upbringing in the church! The need for educated lay leaders is a huge challenge for the church in Cuba, and SET is leading the way through the new bachelor’s programs conducted por encuentro.
Another new program that yielded five graduates this year offers a Bachelor of Religion degree, a joint endeavor of SET and the University of Havana. Similar to university programs in the U.S., this religion degree offers a “secular” introduction to religion in a society that is increasingly open to religious dialogue. The courses are taught by an ecumenical faculty in Havana and led by SET professor, Rev. Dr. Adolfo Ham.
The large vegetable garden on the SET campus in some ways is the image for me of this seminary—organic, growing church leaders, putting down roots that are deep in Cuban soil, responding to a context that is uniquely Cuban.
I give thanks to God for the witness of this seminary to Cuba and the world, for its talented faculty and staff, and for its bright and committed students. May it continue to grow in ever new ways, responding to God’s call to service to the church and society. And I give thanks for each of you and your congregations. May you also grow and respond ever faithfully in the place where God has planted you.
Jo Ella
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 280
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