Disciples' Assembly - April 23, 2016
A write up by a member

​Hosted by the Treasury Coordinator and Steering Committee member, Vino Guiang started by reciting the Prayer to Take Authority.
Followed by a mini Praise and Worship led by Archie & Lelet Quevada.
The first presentation by the Treasury Ministry included the Financials for the year ending December 31, 2015 as compared to 2014.  Vino also showed the community the Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Statement for the Year Ending 12/31/2015. A Year to Year Trend Analysis of Tithes and Love Offerings showed a decline from 2012 to 2015.  And on the Question and Answer portion, it was pointed out that even though there’s a declined in weekly receipts from tithes and love offerings, the end of the year statement still showed a positive net profit of around $1,200. One of the reasons were reduction on BLD expenses and a successful fund raising on our last dinner.  Good job!
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Next was the presentation by Elaine Fernando on Protecting God's Children.  An urgent requirement for everyone was also brought up at Saturday’s assembly. The Newark Archdiocese (RCAN) and Divine Mercy Parish are asking all adults to attend the Virtus - “Protecting God’s Children” training (PGC) and have set June 30 as the deadline to do so for the Vicar audit (this training is needed every three years). Note that to gain credit for attendance of similar PGC sessions held by other archdioceses within the last three years, RCAN will need your information and some details regarding the training received. As for BLD, PGC sessions have been set up by Elaine Fernando (from the Singles Ministry) on May 7th and June 4th, both to begin at 9:30 AM at Divine Mercy Parish, and all members are highly encouraged to attend
The Steering Committee then presented their findings from the last Assembly to the community.  ​A key item at the meeting was a survey that was handed out by the Steering Committee, asking for disciples’ input and feedback on some rather important items, including the Emergence Process and declining Friday attendance. While much attention was placed during the meeting on the issues covered, it was determined that follow-up would still be needed. The eight-question survey is now available online to everyone, so that not only those who were present can complete and submit their responses.  Please click on the appropriate link at the top of the page.
A little break was called, and coffee, turon, ensaymada, sandwiches, food for the Gods, cracklings, etc. were served in the next classroom.  ​
Next on the agenda was the presentation by the Secretariat Ministry led by Ernest Sun. I still remember from the last Disciples' Assembly 2015, a Big Bang Presentation by Secretariat Ministry in the proclamation to the community about the switching of our website and our email system from PowWeb to Weebly and Office 365 respectively.  The Secretariat Core have since been working hard preparing for this transition. Outlook in Office 365 is a popular email system in modern Information Technology Department of most big companies.  And this is the heart of BLD Newark communications.  
As of this date, our new BLD website has been visited by hundreds of people, not only here in the USA but worldwide.  At the start of the Office 365, the Secretariat uploaded more than 800 members (new and old), and as of now, only a little more than 150 users have signed in and using the BLD Office email.  Ernest asked the community for Unity, by providing help to one another and for those members who need to get in the Office 365. During the Question and Answer portion, although the Secretariat have been emailing the coordinators of all ministries and made numerous announcements before the migration, many still did not know or sign into the BLD Office.   Even after the migration, emails and announcements continued to be made during Praise & Worship for the month of January and February to provide assistance to any member needing help in signing in and/or demonstrating how to use the Office 365 program.  

Ernest also encouraged the coordinators to lead by example as Jesus did with His disciples.  Changes has to come from the "Top Down".  He also asked the coordinators to use and follow the 3 Es of action as their guideline:
Educate
Empower
Engage

Subsequently, after the Assembly, the Secretariat has scheduled a Learning Workshop below and registration can be made by clicking the appropriate  link at the top of the page.
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​ A BLD Office Learning Workshop has been scheduled for May 21, 2016 in Room 206 from 2:30 to 5:00 PM. ​
BLD Office Presentation