April 1998, Volume 5 No. 3
 Contents |
Challenge Fund: Making Hispanic Ministry Happenby Rosanna Rosado-BáezWhen the Israelites decided to build the Tabernacle, Moses went to the people, and asked for an offering, "as their hearts prompted." Our present day leaders made a call to the United Methodist Church, asking that we support the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry through the Challenge Fund. The General Conference approved the National Hispanic Ministries Challenge Fund to provide funds for congregational development and community ministries among the growing Hispanic population. As with all Advance Special programs, 100 percent of the contributions go to this program. The Advance number for the Challenge Fund is # 982620-1. Gifts are needed to enable ministry to take place. A few grants to projects on Hispanic ministries have been given; more would be granted with additional contributions. We want to thank the individuals, churches, and corporations that have already contributed to this fund, especially the following who have given so that Hispanic Ministry might happen: Dixie Arter, Marigene Chamberlain, Lois M. Congdon, Elias Galván, Roberto Gómez, Marvin Koelling, Eddie López, Jr., Joel N. Martinez, José and Leonor Palos, Victor Pérez Yolanda Pupo-Ortiz, Elí Rivera, Michael Rivas, Rosanna Rosado-Bátez, Conrado Soltero. Linda Tafolla, Jeanhie Treviño Teddlie, Saúl Trinidad, Grace Hispanic UMC, Diamond Hill UMC, Richmond Hill UMC. Visalia UMC, Charlie Ward and Co. Contributions are needed to
enable Hispanic ministries to
happen. We are looking for
1000 people to give $400
over four years. Pledges can
be made by individuals, local
churches, or businesses. If
you wish to pledge and contribute., please contact
Rev. Conrado Soltero, 212-870-3828.
Two Annual Conferences Receive National Plan's GrantsThe first two annual conferences, Memphis and Nebraska, received the first payment of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry Annual Conference grants last Fall. Each of these conferences went through a process of working with a consultant before submiting their proposals to begin and extend their ministries with Hispanics. So far 21 annual conferences have become engaged in the process of working on a proposal for Hispanic Ministries Annual Conference Grants. The 1996 General Conference approved these funds from World Service for the National Plan. The Committee on Hispanic Ministries with the collaboration of the general program agencies have budgeted $900,000 for the 1997-2000 quadrennium for this resource program. |
Upcoming EventsApril 5-7 Executive Committee of the Committee on Hispanic Ministries, San Diego April 17-19 National Plan Consultants Network and Training Event, Dallas April 20-22 National Plan National Facilitators' Training Event, Dallas April 25-May 1 Council of Bishops, Lincoln, Nebraska May 4-5 Spanish Language Resources Committee, Nashville May 14-17 United Methodist Women's Convocation, Orlando May 21-23 Ministerial Recruitment Training Event, Dallas June 5-7 Spanish Language Immersion Weekend, Leesburg, Florida June 18-21 Workshop for Hispanic Writers, Nashville August 14-16 Spanish Course of Study Consultation, Nashville September 17-20 Committee on Hispanic Ministries, Portland, Oregon September 21-22 Southwest Training Center Board of Directors, San Antonio November 13-15 Exploration '98 for Youth and Young Adults considering Ordained Ministry, Los Angeles November 19-22 MARCHA Convocation, Chicago
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United Methodist Hispanic Seminarians Convene in San AntonioFor the first time in history, the United Methodist Hispanic seminary students gathered last January in San Antonio to network, to learn and receive information regarding resources available to them. About half of the 54 seminary students, including doctor of ministry and PH.D students, responded to the invitation and attended this first gathering. Students shared their understanding of their calling and vision of ministry and articulated their perception of the reality of the Hispanic community. They received information about the National Plan and clarification about the new denominational understanding of ministry and about the connectional system. In addition, information was shared about financial and educational resources that are available to them. How can the church and its institution support these Hispanic seminarians? This was also one of the issues discussed at this event. The students were also given the opportunity to network according to regions. The seminarians developed a number of recommendations addressed to the National Committee on Hispanic Ministry, the General Board of Higher Education, and other agencies. Students, attending the gathering, represented four United Methodist seminaries and seven other seminaries. Leadership for this "retreat" included the Reverends Minerva Carcarño. Mary Ann Mowman, Joaquin Garcia. Roberto Gómez, José Orlando Rivera, Saúl Trinidad, José L. Palos, and Roy D. Barton, who served as the coordinator of the event. The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry sponsored this event in collaboration with the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry. |
