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Hispanic/Latino Ministry members inspired by "Nuevo Amanecer" (“A New Dawn”) Conference

Nuevo Amanecer conference attendees from the Episcopal Diocese of Newark
By: 
The Rev. Susan Sica

In late August, over 300 people attended the Nuevo Amanecer (“A New Dawn”) Conference at Kanuga Conference Center in North Carolina. Sponsored by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries in partnership with the Latino Ministries Office of the Lutheran Church (ELCA), this biennial conference draws participants from all over the U.S., Mexico and Latin America. Attending from the Diocese of Newark were members of the Hispanic/Latino Ministry Task Force led by the Rev. Rosa Brown.

The theme of the conference was “Community * Mission * Fiesta: a celebration of the unique vision that the Latino community brings to the life of the church.” There was opportunity to meet people, attend workshops, worship, and to enjoy the fiesta. The conference was bilingual, with simultaneous translations provided.

The Rev. Miguel Hernandez of Holy Trinity Church in West Orange was impressed with the keynote address by the Rt. Rev. Diane Bruce, Suffragan Bishop of Los Angeles, who stressed that “work in the Latino community is not about outreach, in which one community gives or provides for the other. It is about working together, joining in proclaiming the Gospel together, growing together.” Hernandez observed, “Bishop Bruce’s presentation was filled with many painful truths that are worth paying attention to. We are in need of prophetic voices at all times.”

Given the growing presence of the Hispanic/Latino community in the U.S., many of the workshops focused on understanding these growth trends, existing ministries, and opportunities to share more deeply with one another the joys and frustrations of ministry.

Norman Espinoza of St. Paul’s Church in Patterson said, “The conference was a wonderful experience to connect with our God and share his ministry amongst us as Latinos in the Episcopal Church. That experience cannot be taken lightly as that is the spark and the energy keeping Latinos growing in the Church.”

Sharing with our Lutheran brothers and sisters gave conference members further insight into common challenges, successful programming ideas and renewed commitment to work together.

Amalia Vera, also of St. Paul’s Church in Paterson, put it best, saying “even though I lost a week of work I very much enjoyed this experience; it was like being with family. I am already looking forward to 2016, and God willing, I will be there.”