United Church of Christ New York Metropolitan and Suffolk Associations
      Metro 2005 Annual Meeting
 
   

Report from the Coordinator for Hispanic Church Development -
December 2004



Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It was a pleasure to be part of the Committee on Congregational Development and Standing and to work part time as the Coordinator for Hispanic Church Development. To me, it has been a very growing experience. With that said, it is with sadness that I tell you that I am resigning this committee and my part-time job effective December 15, 2004 . I am moving to Puerto Rico hoping to serve in one of our churches there. More details will be provided after I get there.

Something was cooked; something is cooking, and something has to be cooked


What was cooked
  • We have more Hispanic people serving on different committees than ever in the Metropolitan Association.
  • We have Hispanic presence in all of the Association and Conference meetings.
  • We have a directory of Hispanic leaders.
  • We have a list of Hispanic churches within the conference.
  • We are more aware of what's going on in the Metro. Association and the Conference.
  • We have deepened our relationship with the Conference and the Association.

What is cooking
  • Iglesia La Palabra, in Corona , is working to get funds for their church building. They are also in a Revival (encuentros), as an educational and evangelistic tool.
  • Pilgrim Church is working on the implementation of an after-school program and other community programs.
  • Iglesia San Romero de las Americas has an outreach program in the Dominican Republic , and the church is very, very active in community programs.
  • The Bronx Spanish Evangelical Church has a group of leaders eager to serve; the awareness of our denomination has been raised through the participation of some of their members in national, regional and local activities.
  • There is a good group of Hispanics at The Riverside Church looking for their own space.
  • A proposal asking for space to hold a Prayer/Bible Study meeting was sent to Rev. Wendel Foster at Christ Church .
  • Bonnie Miller and Arelis Figueroa have been working with the Hispanics in that community.
  • There are organizations like the Latino Connection, Latinos/as at The Riverside Church, CHM (Council for Hispanic Ministries), HIT (Hispanic Implementation Team) that provide for Hispanic gatherings and support. Edward Rivera, in Cleveland , can provide information about CHM and HIT.

What needs to be cooked

  • It is a priority to improve the participation (number and action) of Hispanics at the Association and the Conference levels.
  • It is important to update the Hispanic Directory.
  • It is very, very important to follow up with Winston Pena in the process of building and church development, as well as with Jose Lantigua.
  • The proposal for the Prayer/Bible Study meeting has to be revised and followed up. (Danil Lachapel and Arelis Figueroa may do that.)
  • Continue raising consciousness about the commitment of our Hispanic churches to the UCC.
I would like to express my gratitude to all of you who supported me during this year. It was a beautiful experience. Thanks to the Metro Association members who opened their arms to hug me. I really appreciated that. Thanks to Congregational Development and Standing and my very special thanks to my dear Miguelito. God bless you all. We'll be in communication because “We never place a period where God has placed a comma, and God is still speaking!”


Cruz Echevarria
Coodinator for Hispanic Church Development