Not much new, but will share what we have.

1.  CPE us ongoing. We are utilizing distance communication for both pastoral counseling and case conferences.

2. Our CPE half unit intensive us still planned to start in June. However, our government and the schedules of a couple of seminaries will guide our actual schedule so we will keep you updated.

3. We are working on a new book… “Pastoral Counseling Case Workbook.” But not sure when it will be done. For now, check our available resources and presentations that are listed in the menu above.

Keep safe during this pandemic.

A very unusual CPE is underway with us. We have a small group, 3 trainees and supervised by Dr. Lyn Montecastro. Due to the pandemic, most of the ministry time is online, and the case conferences are online as well. This is our first experience with online CPE. Prayerfully this experience will prepare us for future training online.

One of our trainees participating in CPE Case Conference online

CPO (Clinical Pastoral Orientation) is finishing up this week (March 11).

March 23.  Start of CPE Summer Intensive. 10-11 weeks total.

April 24.  PMHA Seminar

June.  Start of new semester at PBTS.  Half Unit CPE will start then (and perhaps other courses).

August.  CPSP-Philippines Annual Plenary.

We work with a number of students from different seminaries. Primary among these are seminarians from Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, Asia Baptist Graduate Theological Seminary, and Lutheran Theological Seminary.

Below is a picture of a few of our seminarians from PBTS from 3 courses at the seminary (Interpersonal Relations, Clinical Pastoral Orientation, and Crisis Care) at La Trinidad District Jail with Chaplains Lyn Montecastro and Bob Munson on February 25th. Afterwards, two of the three groups went to Baguio General Hospital with Chaplain Celia. In both places they practiced pastoral counseling.

Clinical Pastoral Education (Summer Intensive) starts on March 23rd.

We are presently nearing the end of Clinical Pastoral Orientation (CPO). It will finish in early March. Here are a few activities:

• February 29.  Lower Lourdes Barangay. Activity with SK group.  Leading training on Love and Dating.
• March 23.  Start of Summer Intensive CPE. Finishing at end of May.
• June (Middle). Start of Half Unit Intensive CPE. May start CPO at same time.
• August (TBD).  CPSP-Philippines plenary at St. Andrews Theological Seminary.

Dr. Lyn Montecastro leading Interpersonal Relationships modular course at PBTS January 6 to 17.

We are looking forward to 2020.  However, we will be starting off the new year rather slowly.

Joy and Celia after gift-giving at LTDJ.

December 31st.   Today.  We stopped by La Trinidad District Jail to drop off some presents for the those detained there. Nothing fancy– in fact, there are limitations of what can be given. We gave personal hygeine consummables and some snacks for the 70+ PDLs (persons deprived of liberty). We will start counseling there again on January 14.

January 6-9. Most of us will be at the Lide-Walker Bible Conference at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, January 6-8. Our office will be open part of the time. On the 9th, we will be at the Seminary Education by Extension Summit, also at PBTS.

January to March. A number courses are available. Doc Bob will be teaching Intro to Pastoral Counseling at Maranatha Bible College as a module. After that, Doc Bob and Chaplain Celia will continue with the 2nd semester courses at PBTS. In addition, Doc Chuck Henderson and Doc Lyn Montecastro will be teaching modules in Pastoral Care at PBTS and ABGTS.

Additionally, The revision of our book, Dynamics in Pastoral Counseling is 2/3 done, and should be finished in the next couple of weeks.

Some photos from our trip to Baler, Aurora, for training of SK leaders of barangays in Maria Aurora. Celia and Bob Munson did the primary trainings, with assistance by the Ysrael and Fhey Coyoy and Arnold and Rose Arquillano. The topics were Depression and Conflict.