Miguelina Espinal appointed missioner for Pastoral Leadership Search Effort
Episcopal News Service. July 12, 2007 [071207-05]
The Rev. Miguelina Espinal, was appointed missioner of Pastoral Leadership Search Effort (PLSE,) effective July 1.
PLSE, in collaboration with the Fund for Theological Education and Lilly Endowment, began as a multi-denominational endeavor to expand the willingness of the church to welcome young adults into a discernment process for priesthood.
Espinal, a priest since 2003, resides in the Dominican Republic where she has served congregations as rector, president and administrator of the diocesan camp and conference center, coordinator of the diocese's young adult ministries, and as Province 9 Coordinator of youth ministries. Most recently she served on the Executive Council and on the Council of Advice for the President of the House of Deputies, Bonnie Anderson.
In her new position, she will work half-time as PLSE missioner and half-time in the Diocese of the Dominican Republic.
"Miguelina has wonderful abilities and personal attributes that will serve the church very well as we seek to strengthen opportunities for youth and young adults to discern their vocation and exercise their ministries," said Melford Holland of the Office of Ministry Development at the Church Center in New York.
Espinal cites her "passion for youth ministry and belief in the youth" as characteristics that will make her successful in her new role.
The first few months of Espinal's time with PLSE will be spent visiting the various ministries in provinces and spending time with the youth and young adults where she will take part in some of the youth events.
Espinal sees PLSE as a positive way for the church to welcome the youth.