MARCHA Works Toward Vision for Future

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. (UMNS) – The Hispanic/Latino caucus of the United Methodist Church considered a new vision and mission for the future during its Nov. 16-19 annual meeting.

Known as MARCHA, the caucus was organized in 1971 when its membership and leadership was "very different than it is today," according to a report presented by the group's strategy committee.

While Hispanic/Latino ministries and participation have increased within the denomination, major changes in immigration patterns, community settings and social and political realignments have occurred across the United States. And although MARCHA's focus on advocacy efforts for Hispanic and Latino United Methodists has not changed, some feel it has disconnected from its base, said the Rev. Awilda Nolla, MARCHA's president.

Nolla explained to United Methodist News Service that each of the denomination's five jurisdictions once had a Hispanic caucus and that MARCHA's voting membership was drawn from representatives of those caucuses. Later, individuals were allowed to join the caucus and also gained the right to vote.

The goal for the future, she said, is to once again elect MARCHA members "who represent the voice of our jurisdictions" so that decisions made "will reflect what we are doing back home."

The strategy committee report noted that the loss of connection between MARCHA and the regional caucuses has resulted in a distancing between the national group and its base. "It is an organizational fact that the regional caucuses are no longer officially represented on the executive committee of MARCHA," the report stated. "No one on the executive committee can claim to officially represent the issues and concerns of any particular caucus except upon a special request."

The 11-member executive committee elected during the meeting will consider possibilities for restructuring and change and report to the 2001 assembly next November in Miami. The committee will be assisted in that task by a newly-elected task force, composed of one representative each of the five jurisdictions, the Puerto Rican church and the Rio Grande Conference.

"It's a time of renewal," said Mary Silva, MARCHA's executive director, after the meeting. "The people are calling for more communication and more contact with the grassroots."

The plans are for MARCHA to renew its role as an advocate for Hispanic and Latino people within the denomination and become more active and more visible, even at the local level, she added.

In other business, MARCHA members approved a number of resolutions during the meeting. The organization agreed to act as a sponsor for Hispanic youth who wish to organize as a group and to provide a two-hour workshop for youth at the next assembly. It renewed support for the mission and ministry of the Rio Grande Conference and said it would become actively involved with the training and conference committees organized through the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry.

The caucus will work toward increased participation and representation of Hispanic and Latino women within the church and called upon the Women's Division, United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, and other church agencies to work with MARCHA to organize a national consultation for Hispanic women. Members renewed their opposition to the U.S. military occupation of the Puerto Rican island of Vieques.

MARCHA members also:

Elected the Rev. German Acevedo-Delgado, a Board of Global Ministries executive, to a two-year term as MARCHA's new president.

Celebrated the ministry of the Rev. Conrado Soltero during a Nov. 18 banquet that included a dance group from Nicaragua and music from Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba, directed by the Rev. Irving Cotto. Soltero is retiring as an executive with the General Board of Global Ministries.

Participated in a festive opening worship, which included encouragement by the Rev. David Ortigoza, chief executive of CIEMAL, to renew their vision. "To see is to capture the signs of God and to answer to that call of God," he said.

Heard from the Rev. Jose Palos, an executive with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, about the denomination's National Plan for Hispanic Ministry, and from the Rev. Yolanda Pupo-Ortiz, an executive with the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, about its programs.