National Consultation on Hispanic Ministries Held
Diocesan Press Service. September 15, 1975 [75314]
DALLAS, Tex. -- Representatives from 12 Episcopal dioceses presently involved with ministry to the Hispanic people in the U.S.A. met here Sept. 8-10 to share and discuss their work, as well as to plan ways for developing pastoral, educational, evangelistic, liturgical, and social resources for parishes engaged in Hispanic programs.
This first National Consultation on Hispanic Ministries provided the opportunity to a group of interested clergy and lay persons to participate in two of four workshops dealing with Liturgy and Music, Evangelism and Educational Materials, Pastoral Ministry, and Congregational Outreach.
A plenary session followed the workshops, in which resolutions were presented, and the following decisions were made:
o To form a committee composed of representatives from the Southwest, the West Coast, the Northeast, the Midwest, and the Southeast, to study and develop liturgical and musical materials for the Hispanic people in the U.S. The Rev. Esteban Saucedo of Rio Grande, Max I. Salvador of Southeast Florida, Herbert Arrunategui of New Jersey, Dr. Carlos Plaza of Chicago, and Ms. Lydia Lopez of Los Angeles were elected to the committee.
o To form a committee on Evangelism and Christian Education for Hispanic people in the U.S. The Revs. Samuel Pinzon of Washington, Roger Wood of Los Angeles, and Mr. Manuel Mesa of Southeast Florida were elected to the committee.
o To form a Steering Committee to coordinate the continuity of the Consultation and to meet with the National Commission on Hispanic Affairs (NCHA) to develop a permanent relationship. Elected to this committee were the Rev. Samuel Pinzon, Max I. Salvador, Esteban Saucedo, and Mr. Manuel Mesa.
o To constitute the Consultation into an ad-hoc committee for Hispanic Ministries in the U.S., and to have annual meetings.
It was decided to develop a directory of all those involved in pastoral work among Hispanic people in the U.S., as well as resource persons and materials available. This directory, as well as the production of a newsletter, will be accomplished in coordination with the NCHA office at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City.
Among the 30 participants at the Consultation were the Rev. Sergio Carranza- Gomez of Mexico, and Mrs. Olga Shirley of Panama, both representing the Executive Council of the Ninth Province. The Rev. Gordon T. Charlton, dean of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, Tex., and the Rev. Ruben Armendariz, director of the Hispanic American Institute, were also present.
Ms. Lydia Lopez of the Parish of East Los Angeles represented the National Commission on Hispanic Affairs. The staff of the NCHA, Ms. Maria T. Cueto and Mr. Nelson W. Canals, were coordinators for the event and were liaison between the NCHA and the Consultation.
For more information contact the National Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017, Telephone: 212/867-8400, ext. 345.