The Current Latino/Hispanic Iceberg 1/3 of the L/H population = Immigrant and First Generation Latinos, and the primary focus of Episcopal Latino/Hispanic ministry 2/3 of Latinos = the Multi- Generation Latinos, 2 nd Generation on up. Not normally part of Epis. L/H ministry Trans-Generation L/H ministry recognizes the need to address the entire Hispanic population, rather than just the tip of the iceberg. 1 Predominantly in Spanish Existing Models of Latino/Hispanic Ministry Principally carried out as adjunct or linked to Anglo congregations Focused overwhelmingly on liturgical/congregational development Overwhelmingly focused on 1 st Generation and Latino/Hispanic immigrants 2 1
Some Creative Initiatives Undertaken by Dioceses or Coalition of Parishes Diocesan Initiative Local L/H clergy formation Funding to a Social Services or Health Community group Funding of a Community/Eco. Development Project New Church Plant with an intentional Multicultural flavor, but w/m-gl core Partnership/Coalition Of Group of Parishes Barrio Church Plant Funding to Social Services organization for ESL Funding to Community/Eco. Development Project Funding of Social Services Outreach for Pre-school Educational Program 3 Usual Ministry Pattern of Latino/Hispanic Models, Activities Stand Alone L/H Congregation This is the exception Mostly Mission status, few parishes Satellite worship site or preaching station (rare) Few home churches or small group cells Those Connected to Anglo Congregations (the norm) Spanish Language Service (usually late AM/noon service Satellite worship site the exception Direct social services ministry, or funding to a specific Latino services provider 4 2
Who can participate in this Expanded Trans-Generational Latino / Hispanic Ministry? Existing Latino congregations willing to add an English service to their worship schedule (considerable resistance due to cultural differences) Anglo congregations called to diversify their constituency to invite M- GL s to their regular English services. Anglo congregations with existing Latino congregations which can facilitate a bridge ministry between M-GL s and First Gen. L/H s. A diocese willing to start a multicultural church plant, focusing on Multi- Generation Latinos & other racial and ethnic groups M-GL s seeking a more tolerant sacramental and liturgical church but which are unaware that the Episcopal Church exists 5 A New Paradigm: Trans-Generational Latino / Hispanic Ministry Expands current L/H ministry to include Multi-Generation Latinos in both Hispanic or Anglo congregations Not lessens focus on existing First Generation/Immigrant Latinos but recognizes cultural/linguistic differences Recognizes that Latino congregations have to expand their evangelization initiatives to intentionally target the 2 nd and 3 rd generation, English dominant/bicultural Latinos Calls for cultural competence among Anglo congregations called to evangelize and minister to Multi-Generational Latinos Permits more Anglo clergy to engage directly in this English-driven, Latino cultural ministry previously closed due to Spanish-only requirement 6 3
A SAMPLE STRATEGY FOR ANGLO CONGREGATIONS(3) The Episcopal Church is virtually unknown among the Latinos and Hispanics. We need to communicate who we are and what we represent. We are the best kept secret among the Church denominations. Therefore a Basic Strategy has to be driven by these factors: Communications, especially through the social media for young M-GL s Radical Hospitality, Loving Invitation/Loving Heart Engendering a Multi-cultural and Pluralistic environment Cultural competence of M-GL s, not necessarily Spanish fluency if not engaged in First Generation/immigrant ministry Getting to know the Nesting Places of M-GL s, e.g., Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, GI Forum, Lulac, (and other L/H fraternal and civic groups) 7 Who can Participate in this Tran- Generation Ministry?(2) Campus and Canterbury ministries and college/university related congregations with a ready made inventory of M-GL s nearby Congregations with a vibrant, evangelization-minded EYC willing to invite high school age M-GL s and engage in radical Invitation and hospitality Specific congregational ministries which can do special invites: Daughters of the King, Men of St. Andrews, choir groups, parish special event committees/task groups Christian formation/bible studies/book clubs,healing ministries, Prayer groups in parishioner homes, etc. 8 4
What is Required for Congregational Development? Occasional different music, or adding an additional service that has a Latino flavor and an upbeat sound Liturgical Adaptations or a variety of Liturgical formats from available resources Willingness to Change to accommodate new people and cultures Intentional Resolve to add a Multi-Cultural Component or become a congregation known for having an inviting multilingual service 9 5