Hispanic / Latino Ministry Engagement
The first phase of our Hispanic-Latinx mission development is underway and we’re focusing on informing and preparing ourselves. This includes educating ourselves utilizing resources that are local (newsletters, events), from The Episcopal Church (training, books/articles), and beyond (language immersion, etc.). This preparation will enable us to notice our biases and cultural appropriations, and improve our competency. We will also be visiting Hispanic-Latinx communities throughout our diocese in order to establish relationships, make friends, BE friends, and – most importantly - listen.
The recent U.S. census shows us that our Spanish-speaking siblings in Christ in the Diocese of Missouri are most likely unreported, meaning we also need to educate ourselves on how to be a safe place when we engage with or serve them. We have, therefore, pledged to practice patience while God leads and forms us.
As the Via Media church, our blend of Catholic and Protestant liturgy, together with our Episcopal theology, make us especially well-suited to welcome our Latinx siblings. This is good news!
We know that establishing relationship with Latinx people will strengthen and enhance us as Episcopal Christians. They have as much to offer us as we do them. Our goal is to be ready to receive and to give as they and God guide us.
All who are led to are welcome to join us in this mission development. Please email our Hispanic-Latinx Missioner, Valori+. The resource lists below will be updated regularly, so please check it often for training opportunities and local events of interest.
Using Spanish in your worship service
What can you and your church do to be more welcoming to the Hispanic/Latinx community? Incorporate a little Spanish into your worship services!
Here are some suggestions and translations to get you started:
- Listen to sound files of the translations in Spanish:
Offertory sentence - Walk in love
The Peace
Sign of the cross 3 ways
St. Louis Agencies - Programs
St. Louis Agencies - Programs
- Afro-Latin American Research Institute (ALARI)
The "Boletín de ALARI" is a monthly Newsletter aiming to highlight and disseminate news on Afro-Latin American Studies in Academia, Activism, Government, and International Organizations. A searchable database has been created in collaboration with Gender and Diversity Division of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)*.
- Axios (newsletter)
- https://www.casadesaludstl.org/
Casa de Salud delivers high quality health services to uninsured and underinsured patients, with a focus on immigrants and refugees in St. Louis and its metro area. - Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
To improve business opportunities for Hispanic firms and professionals thereby improving the economic development of the St. Louis region. - IFCLA - The Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America
Does trainings for Spanish-speaking immigrants and for volunteers who will accompany asylum seekers to court, etc. IFCLA convenes an inter-faith community to accompany the people of Latin America in their work for human rights and social justice. - Latinx Arts Network
dedicated to educating the public through the celebration of our Hispanic cultures and traditions, fiestas, etc. Lists local events. - MICA Migrant & Immigrant Community Action
Mission: “The Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project (MICA Project) is a community organization committed to working with low-income immigrants to overcome barriers to justice. The MICA Project utilizes legal services, organizing, advocacy, and education to promote the voice and human dignity of immigrant communities.” - MIRA – Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates
Links to their Facebook page. Lots of good articles there. - Mosaic Project
South American professionals seem to gravitate to Mosaic Project. “The St. Louis Mosaic Project is a regional initiative within the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and the World Trade Center St. Louis. St. Louis aims to be a cultural mosaic because this community believes that immigrants invigorate our region. We want to share our community with its great neighborhoods, outstanding schools, plus some of the best hospitals and cultural destinations in the world." - Mosaic Project Información en Español
Has a comprehensive map of resources and a bingo-like game to learn and share! - New American Alliance directory
search for services and connections of all kinds for immigrants in St. Louis
Episcopal Church Resources
- Latino Ministries
The Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries guides The Episcopal Church in forming hospitable communities of faith that nourish, strengthen, and develop disciples of Christ in the Anglican tradition within Spanish-speaking communities.
- Episcopal Migration Ministry, Neighbor to Neighbor program
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) directly trains and provides ongoing support to faith communities who serve as community sponsors for asylum seekers (Track 1) or Afghan arrivals (Track 2, in partnership with the Sponsor Circle Program for Afghans). Community sponsors welcome their new neighbors by offering friendship, fostering community connections, and providing practical support such as housing, assistance in accessing services and navigating the community, enrolling children in school, supporting adults in learning English and securing employment, and more. - Episcopal Migration Ministries Asylum and Detention Network
EMM hosts an Asylum and Detention Ministry Network that meets virtually on the fourth Wednesday of every month. The Ministry Network’s collaborative work and conversation focus on best practice-sharing in areas of direct service, organizing, advocacy actions, Christian formation and worship resources, and community education to protect asylum, promote humane and dignified alternatives to detention, and to support asylum seekers and those harmed by the immigration detention system.
Educational Resources & Articles
- 22 Inspiring Latinas You Should Know for Women's History Month, by Elisabeth Alvarado,
- A Future for the Latino Church, by Daniel A. Rodriguez, forward by Manuel Ortiz
- Borderlands, La Frontera, by Gloria Anzaldua
- Transcultural Latino Evangelism: An Emerging New Paradigm,, by Albert R. Rodriguez
- Liturgia Latina, by Juan Oliver
- The First Evangelization of the Americas, by Mark Francis
- El Coro Latinoamericano: Redefining the Choral Model for the Latino Congregations of The Episcopal Church, by Yuri Rodriguez
- Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday so why does the US celebrate it more?, by Jordan Mendoza, Gabriela Miranda of USA TODAY 05/05/21
Missioner for Hispanic/Latino Ministry Engagement
The Rev. Valori Mulvey Sherer serves as the Missioner for Hispanic/Latino ministry in the Diocese of Missouri. The missioner is responsible for advocacy and for oversight of Hispanic/Latino ministry in the Diocese. The primary role of the Missioner shall be to work with the Diocese to promote, encourage, create, enhance, and develop opportunities for ministry among people of Hispanic and Latino cultural backgrounds.
Responsibilities of the Missioner of Hispanic/Latino Ministry Engagement
The Missioner’s responsibilities shall include:
- Identify Hispanic/Latino concerns in the wider community and advocate for Diocesan involvement.
- Create a Council of Advice for Hispanic/Latino ministries to help carry out this ministry.
- Consult and advise congregations seeking guidance in creating Hispanic/Latino ministry and developing new multi-cultural initiatives in their communities.
- Curate culturally appropriate materials, resources, educational programs, and workshops for the Diocese.
- Develop a clearinghouse of resources for use by the Diocesan household.
- Develop and offer resources (workshops, conferences, course materials etc.) around cultural competency and Spanish language learning.
- Advise the Commission on Ministry in the identification, recruitment, and preparation of Hispanic/Latino candidates for ministry.
- Assist in developing liturgical resources to be used by communities of faith that comprise the Diocese.
- Preach and teach in communities of faith that make up the Diocese.
- Submit an annual report to the Diocesan Convention.
- Offer presentations to Diocesan Council which highlight the ongoing work of Hispanic/Latino ministries.
Companion Diocese of Puerto Rico
The Diocese of Missouri and the Diocese of Puerto Rico entered into a companion diocese agreement in 2021. The mission of the dioceses in the companion relationship includes mutual encouragement and prayer, intensified understanding and concern, and the exchange of both spiritual and material resources. Companion relationships are to strengthen the Anglican Communion through the direct experience of interdependence across cultural and geographical boundaries. Each partner in the companion relationship is to be both a giver and a receiver.
Our Companion Diocese Committee invites you to enjoy evening prayers together with our Companion Diocese of Puerto Rico on the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.
Compline will be led in English and/or Spanish by members of both dioceses. A shared screen will show the prayer in English and Spanish.
Compline
First Thursday of each month
6 p.m. (Central Time)
Zoom
Join the Zoom Compline
La Misa at St. Paul's, Carondelet
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in South St. Louis is welcoming Latino neighbors through La Misa. This Sunday experience combines English worship with Spanish music and opportunities to celebrate Latin American traditions.
La Misa launched in January with Fiesta de Reyes Magos (Three Kings Sunday). The congregation is well-suited to learn from and incorporate neighbors from Latin countries. They are "warm climate" people. The second La Misa ended with a congregational conga line and dancing after lunch! You are welcome every Sunday, but second Sundays feature special music in Spanish and fiesta lunch.
Read an article about La Misa.
Priest-in-Charge, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Webster Groves, and Diocesan Missioner for Hispanic/Latinx Ministry
