United Methodists all set for Nov. 30 ‘Revive’ event

Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno has expressed confidence that the laity-led revival gathering of some 8,000 members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, will be a success. Puno said the organizers of the Grand Revival Worship Celebration believe the Philsports Arena (Ultra) in Pasig City will be full of UMC clergy and lay members who “are eager to participate in the biggest gathering of UMC members since the denomination’s centennial anniversary celebration in 1998.” “The last time the United Methodists in the country held a church-wide event was 14 years ago,” Puno told participants of the Episcopal Candidates’ Forum sponsored by the Fairview UMC last Nov. 10. “It is about time to hold another.” He also said the timing is most appropriate since the denomination will elect a new set of bishops two weeks after the Revive gathering.  The election of bishops will be held during the Philippine Central Conference on Dec. 12-14, 2012, in Bayumbong, Nueva Vizcaya. Speaking before the forum’s participants that included 16 of the 26 candidates for bishops of the episcopal areas of Manila, Baguio and Davao, Puno said the new bishops, whoever they may be, must heal “our wounded church” by conducting more revival activities. The former chief magistrate also invited the candidates to attend the Nov. 30 event in Ultra, “so that we can pray for your anointment.” Puno, who is the main speaker of the “Revive UMC” event, said the United Methodists must “follow the footsteps” of the founder of their church, the Rev. John Wesley, who was “one of the greatest revivalists of all time.” The Grand Revival will also feature two foreign speakers, namely, American preacher Scott Kelso and Singapore-based Methodist minister Malcolm TH Tan. Kelso, author of the book, Ice on Fire:  A New Day for the 21st Century Church, and a former president of the Aldersgate Renewal Ministries, will talk about “praying for healing and unity,” while Tan will discuss "scriptural holiness." A 500-voice choir to be conducted by singer-songwriter Arnel de Pano will perform during the revival, which will start at 8 a.m. and will last up to 4:30 p.m. *** For inquiries, please contact: Rev. Gilbert Cedillo Revive UMC Movement Puno United Methodist Church 33 Holy Spirit Drive, Quezon City, Philippines Mobile phone no.: 09185487663