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ENTRE NOS: A HISPANIC-LATINO PASTORAL GATHERING
The “Entre Nos” event became a crucial meeting point for Hispanic-Latino leaders of The United Methodist Church after the long period of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by the National Plan for Hispanic-Latino Ministry (NPHLM), this meeting took place in Phoenix, Arizona, from October 30 to November 1, 2023, attracting more than 130 participants from different parts of the country.
The central objective of the event was connect with each other after years of isolation, take a deep look at Hispanic/Latino Ministry and offer some ways to pivot in this moment in the life of the United Methodist Church. Another crucial objective along with our partners from Wespath, was to develop resources and opportunities for Hispanic/Latino clergy to strengthen their financial acumen and knowledge, and to discover the various resources that Wespath offers to clergy in a spirit of acompañamiento.
A study conducted by Gammon Theological Seminary and in partnership with NPHLM and MARCHA, revealed the profound impact the pandemic had on racial minority churches and leaders in The United Methodist Church. The loss of congregations, including 13% of Hispanic-Latino churches, due to disaffiliation exacerbated the challenges faced by the community. Furthermore, the event was significant because it marked the return of Bishop Minerva Carcaño to her episcopal responsibilities after being suspended. After a process and trial, the jury found her unanimously innocent of all charges. However, as many reflected, the compilation of all these events, one after the other, only compounded the feeling of isolation, invisibility, and frustration that many Hispanic/Latino clergy had an opportunity to expound on.
More than a hundred pastors gathered to reflect on these realities and the challenges they face in their ministries. For many, it was an opportunity to reconnect after three years of the pandemic. Interpersonal connection was especially valued, allowing participants to share experiences, advice, and wisdom, thus strengthening our connectionalism that is fundamental in the Methodist church.
The event opened with an emotional worship service led by Bishop Carcaño, who reflected on the impact of COVID-19 on Hispanic-Latino communities and racial minorities in the United States. Additionally, tribute was paid to Bishop Elías Galván, who was the first Hispanic/Latino to be elected bishop of The United Methodist Church and whose 50+ year legacy was celebrated at the event.
The Rev. Candace Lewis of Gammon Theological Seminary presented a study on United Methodist clergy of color, highlighting the financial, emotional, physical, environmental, and spiritual challenges they faced during the pandemic. Disaffiliations affecting 13.4% of Hispanic-Latino churches were discussed, representing a challenge to Hispanic-Latino ministry and an opportunity, as was highlighted by many in their small groups, that this moment we are experiencing might have just created the space and the agility in the United Methodist Church to be intentional about developing more ethnically diverse congregations. Sometimes, less is more.
For example, the event also provided a platform to present a bilingual/bicultural theological training program from the NPHLM for lay leaders with a special emphasis on public theology. This will be designed to train lay missionaries to answer the question that the National Plan has always engaged in: What do we see? What do we discern? and how do we respond to God to build the beloved community?
In the final sessions of the event, participants made recommendations to strengthen Hispanic-Latino ministry in the Methodist church, including the creation of specific programs for children, the establishment of a national directory of Hispanic-Latino churches, the alignment of the work plan of the church with the legislation established by the General Conference, the search for theological unity and the development of a contextualized curriculum adapted to the specific needs of the community.
“Entre Nos” stood out as a transformative event that not only brought together Hispanic-Latino leaders but also provided a vital space for mutual pastoral care, theological reflection, and strategic planning for the future of Hispanic-Latino ministry in La United Methodist Church. In the context of significant challenges, this gathering offered hope, unity, and strength to a community of faith that remains committed to the church’s mission and the transformation of the world.
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ENTRE NOS: UN ENCUENTRO PASTORAL HISPANO-LATINO
“Entre Nos” congregó, por primera vez después de la pandemia del COVID 19, al liderato clerical y laico de la comunidad hispano-latina de La Iglesia Metodistas Unida, en la ciudad de Phoenix, estado de Arizona. La Obispa Minerva Carcaño dirigió el mensaje en el culto inaugural y fue una buena oportunidad para celebrar el reencuentro con su comunidad y la presencia de más de 130 participantes quienes llegaron de diferentes partes del país.
Esta convocatoria abierta que hizo el Plan Nacional al clero y el liderato laico, tuvo como finalidad brindar un espacio de encuentro y reflexión sobre las realidades y desafíos que confrontan los/as pastores/as y líderes laicos/as de los ministerios hispano-latinos, con el objetivo de fortalecer la interrelación humana y facilitar el cuidado pastoral mutuo entre el clero y el laicado hispano-latino.
De acuerdo con la Rvda. Muñoz, “la pandemia ha impactado dramáticamente nuestras comunidades, lo que ha afectado a nuestros/as pastores/as y líderes quienes han experimentado, ansiedad, agotamiento y desorientación. Y todo esto en medio del cisma que ha estado viviendo la denominación y la desafiliación de iglesias, que ha generado aún más presión en nuestras comunidades de fe”.
“Entre Nos” es parte de la respuesta a estas realidades que el Plan Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano-Latino está promoviendo en su estrategia de acompañar a quienes están trabajando en los diferentes ministerios.
Rev. Gustavo Vasquez / Noticias Metodistas Unidas
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FACING THE FUTURE 2023
We want to invite all Hispanic/Latino clergy serving in cross-racial/cross-cultural/multicultural ministry settings to join us for a time of fellowship during this year’s Facing the Future Conference. Pease contact us if you are attending this important event as we would like to share a meal and spend some time together.
REPORT ON BISHOP CARCAÑO’S TRIAL
The General Commission on Religion and Race release a report regarding the Trial of Bishop Minerva Carcaño. GCORR is confident in their observations that the trial was fairly conducted. However, concerns about fractured relationships in the California-Nevada Conference and Western Jurisdiction persist, none of which have been healed with a jury verdict.
CONVOCATION INVITES LEADERS OF THE NATIONAL PLANS FOR ETHNIC MINISTRIES
Reconciling Ministries Network’s 2023 Convocation included time for participants to hear from leaders of United Methodist ethnic caucus groups and the national plans for ethnic ministries. The leaders are all working for the inclusion and equity of people of color and Indigenous peoples in United Methodist ministries.
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL PLAN FOR HISPANIC/LATINO MINISTRY?
Check out Ask The UMC’s latest article on the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. The article delves into the history role and priorities of the Ethnic Plan. We invite you to read the article and be part of our journey towards a more united and understanding church community.
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FACING THE FUTURE 2023
Queremos invitar a todo el clero hispano/latino que sirve en contextos ministeriales interraciales, interculturales y multiculturales a unirse a nosotros para un tiempo de compañerismo durante la Conferencia Enfrentando el Futuro de este año. Por favor contáctenos si asistirá a este importante evento ya que nos gustaría compartir una comida y pasar un tiempo juntos.
INFORME SOBRE EL JUICIO DE LA OBISPA CARCAÑO
La Comisión General de Religión y Raza (GCORR) publicó un informe sobre el Juicio a la Obispa Minerva Carcaño. GCORR confía en sus observaciones de que el juicio se llevó a cabo de manera justa. Sin embargo, persisten las preocupaciones sobre las relaciones fracturadas en la Conferencia California-Nevada y la Jurisdicción Occidental, ninguna de las cuales ha sido solucionada con un veredicto del jurado.
CONVOCATORIA INVITA A LÍDERES DE LOS PLANES NACIONALES DE MINISTERIOS ÉTNICOS
La Convocatoria 2023 de la Red de Ministerios de Reconciliación incluyó tiempo para que los participantes escucharan a los líderes de los grupos étnicos metodistas unidos y los planes nacionales para los ministerios étnicos. Todos los líderes están trabajando por la inclusión y la equidad de las personas de color y los pueblos indígenas en los ministerios metodistas unidos.
¿QUÉ ES EL PLAN NACIONAL PARA EL MINISTERIO HISPANO/LATINO?
Consulta el último artículo de Ask The UMC sobre el Plan Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano/Latino. El artículo profundiza en el papel histórico y las prioridades del Plan Étnico. Te invitamos a leer el artículo y ser parte de nuestro viaje hacia una comunidad más unida y comprensiva.
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RACIAL ETHNIC PLAN MISSIONARIES
Supporting the goals of a particular Racial Ethnic Ministry Plan and in partnership with an annual conference and Global Ministries, Racial Ethnic Plan Missionaries develop and revitalize local racial-ethnic congregations, strengthen community resources, and empower leaders for the future.
GRANTS 101 FOR MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
Resource UMC has created a resource that highlights different opportunities to financially support outreach programs and ministry through the general agencies of the United Methodist Church.
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MISIONEROS DE LOS PLANES ÉTNICO RACIALES
Apoyando las metas de un Plan de Ministerio Racial Étnico en particular y en asociación con una conferencia anual y Ministerios Globales, los Misioneros de Plan Racial Étnico desarrollan y revitalizan congregaciones raciales y étnicas locales, fortalecen los recursos de la comunidad y capacitan a los líderes del futuro.
CURSO BÁSICO: GRANTS PARA EL MINISTERIO EN LA IGLESIA LOCAL
Recursos Metodistas Unidos ha creado un recurso que destaca las diferentes oportunidades de apoyar financieramente programas y ministerio de extensión a través de las agencias generales de la Iglesia Metodista Unida.
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ACCOMPANIMENT IN ACTION
In this edition, we celebrate the Northern Illinois Annual Conference. On October 7th we joined their celebration of their Hispanic/Latino ministries in a time of worship, training, fellowship, renewal and camaraderie. We’re grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside in building a vibrant and inclusive community for all of God’s people.
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ACOMPAÑAMIENTO EN ACCIÓN
En esta edición celebramos la Conferencia Anual del Norte de Illinois. El 7 de octubre nos unimos a la celebración de sus ministerios hispanos/latinos en un tiempo de adoración, capacitación, compañerismo, renovación y camaradería. Estamos agradecidos por la oportunidad de caminar juntos en la construcción de una comunidad vibrante e inclusiva para todo el pueblo de Dios.
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UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TAKES A STEP FORWARD AGAINST GOVERNMENT FAILURES ON IMMIGRATION
It may be too much to ask our dysfunctional federal government to come up with a comprehensive immigration plan. But if policymakers want to be inspired to make a difference, they should look to a small church in Tukwila and the good people of that faith community are doing so much with the resources they can muster.
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IGLESIA METODISTA UNIDA DA UN PASO AL FRENTE ANTE FALLAS DEL GOBIERNO EN INMIGRACIÓN
Quizás sea demasiado pedirle a nuestro disfuncional gobierno federal que elabore un plan de inmigración integral. Pero si los legisladores quieren inspirarse para marcar la diferencia, deberían mirar a una pequeña iglesia en Tukwila y a la buena gente de esa comunidad de fe está haciendo tanto con los recursos que pueden reunir.
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