Called to transformation

LAST August 13 to 17, I was in Alexandria, Virginia taking part on a course called “Called to Transformation. As the City of Baguio celebrates its 109th Charter Anniversary by developing a culture of creativity, a call to transformation is just appropriate. The celebration also centers on the awarding of the Outstanding Citizens of Baguio. This drew comments like theSOCOB selection committee biased on selecting people they do not personally know to dispel the complain of previous selections, that they are only choosing people they know well. That could be reputed as sour graping but could also be some truth into the comments. Am one of those who was not selected as an outstanding citizen and yes, I know the members of the selection committee.

Back to the Called to Transformation that was conducted in Virginia Theological Seminary, that was scheduled for Dioceses of the East Coast from . They made an exception as I was admitted from the Philippines and Dana from the Virgin Islands. There were 23 participants and four staff; participants of six males and 17 female of which there were five clergy, four deacons and 14 lay persons. The training was on the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) which developed in 1993 in Illinois by John L. Mcknight and John Kretzmman. This has basic principles of everyone has gifts who are to build a citizens are at the center led by leaders who engage the citizens.It includes principles of people caring, listening and asking. With principles of institutions serving communities and organizations are inside out where the local community is in control of development.

During our workshop we started with an breakfast at the Refectory with the other members of the Seminary population. Then we con-