A provincial church's journey to self-reliance & sharing

Walking up the small hill to St. Stephen's Parish of Namillangan, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao Province, visitors are welcomed by good energy. Perhaps from the cool space shaded by the tall mango trees planted by the congregation sheltering us from the hot Filipino climate, or perhaps the array of tropical plants that surround the church building and throughout the compound, or maybe still it’s the open hearts of the church members, set on following the Good and sharing love with all.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Ifugao Province, Philippines

Founded as an organized mission in 1976, the church community is home to members, most of whom are small-scale farmers, cultivating rice or corn fields and fish ponds. While not financially well-endowed, the members of this parish are strong givers. St. Stephen’s was able to become an aided parish in 2009 and a ‘full-fledged parish’ in 2013, being totally self-reliant and generating all operating expense funds. While some parishes achieve this through income-generating projects like farming or food production, others do so through creating a cooperative to support the church. St. Stephen’s, however, established self-reliance solely through membership giving. Fr. Constantio Abbugao, rector of St. Stephen’s, or ‘Padi Tando’, as called by all, attributes this success to preaching on stewardship, regular Bible studies and periodic retreats.

Even though self-reliance is achieved through giving, members are still keen on earning extra income for the parish and themselves. They have participated in a number of varied income-generating projects, including a beekeeping, livestock raising, water sanitation, microlending, and soapmaking. Through these projects they’ve learned lessons, strengthened their project management approach, and proven their spirit of resilience in overcoming challenges.

In 2008, the congregation began a beekeeping project in which the members would manage a hive in a newly constructed building adjacent to the church. Members were trained, materials were purchased, a professional bee consultant was hired. The feasibility study was complete, and by all estimates, the project would surely be a success. The bees arrived, and members were maintaining the hive. However, as the weeks passed, the bees became fewer and fewer. One thing the feasibility study did not account for was that the areas surrounding the community are corn fields which are heavily sprayed with chemicals which are toxic to the bees. The bees steadily declined, and the project failed.

St. Stephen's church members sharing their story of self-reliance with Anglicans from Myanmar and Mexico at E-CARE's recent International Development Training.

With the project’s remaining funds, the group decided to invest them in a livestock raising project with a ‘receiver to giver’ model. The first round of beneficiaries each received 2 piglets. They feed and raise them, and when the sow gave birth, the parishioner returns 4 piglets to the parish. Of this four, two go to the next round of recipients, and two are used for income to the parish. Thus, the project is self-sustaining and also supports the church. The church has granted back 70,000 pesos (nearly $1,600, exchange rate 2013) to the diocese. On top of that, additional income from the project has been used to capitalize a water sanitation and refilling project to serve the outside community’s needs for clean, accessible drinking water. Most of the project’s financing, however, was contributed by the lending organization’s own member share capital. The water project is still in the process of becoming operational. In the meantime, the organization is now tight on cash for its members’ lending needs

Organic pigs at St. Stephen's rectory

In 2012, the congregation used their existing building from the beekeeping project to begin a new enterprise: soapmaking. The community uses natural ingredients from readily accessible tropical plants and sells their products locally and through E-CARE outlet stores. Church members who assist are given a wage based upon the number of hours worked. Part of the income as well is dedicated to additional support for the church.

The three main church organizations [Brotherhood of Saint Andrews (BSA), Episcopal Church Women (ECW) and the youth organization (SKEP)] all have microlending associations with capital generated by membership support. Members borrow for livelihood projects and repay funds with a small interest. Even the SKEP has a microlending group, to gain experience in smart financial practice and the importance of cooperation early on. Using income from this lending group, the SKEP recently renovated the church’s front signage; even St. Stephen’s youth demonstrate true churchmanship and the spirit of giving! The BSA has a lending capital of 145,000 pesos; however, the needs of the group are now exceeding this capacity, as many are eager to further invest in farm livelihood projects.

Of the 266 total members of St. Stephen’s, 158 active members regularly attend Sunday services. On a given Sunday, nearly 100 fill the pews. Together they achieve the parish dream of self-reliance by giving through harvest offerings, annual pledges, special offerings and more to account for more than 430,000 pesos (nearly $8,600 at current exchange rate) annually.

Now, they are eager to enhance their savings and lending operations and continue to further the spirit of cooperation and sharing within the community and to accomplish the following objectives: