wfn.org | Hispanic/Latina Presbyterian Women Hold Second "Encuentro"

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28-September-1998 
98309 
 
    Hispanic/Latina Presbyterian Women 
    Hold Second "Encuentro" 
 
    by Yolanda Hernandez 
 
SAN ANTONIO, Texas-Gathered under the theme "Open my eyes and I will see 
the wonderful truths of your Word," more than 400 Hispanic/Latina 
Presbyterian women from all over the United States and Puerto Rico 
celebrated the Second National Encuentro ("encounter") at Trinity 
University here in mid-July. 
 
    "If believing in the rights of women and defending them makes me a 
feminist, then I am a feminist," said keynote speaker the Rev. Daisy 
Machado, program director for the Hispanic Theological Initiative at Emory 
University in Atlanta.  "But more than I am a feminist I am a Christian, 
and it is my faith that encourages me to demand equality for all of God's 
creatures. 
 
    "Jesus healed the blind man at Bethsaida and opened the eyes of his 
disciples.  But what about our eyes?" Machado asked.  "Are we blind to the 
abuses that in the name of our cultural heritage and our faith are 
committed against women?" 
 
    The triennial conference - designed as an opportunity for spiritual 
growth and professional development of Spanish-speaking women - also 
featured Bible study led by Ana Ines Braulio-Corchado, who is a retired 
executive for the Synod of Puerto Rico.  She invited Encuentro participants 
to "read the scriptures through the eyes of women, unearthing from the text 
all the women who were protagonists in the history of Israel, in the 
ministry of Jesus and in the beginnings of the church, and who are - or 
should be - our models for ministry." 
 
    The Bible study used a methodology developed by Lois M. Wilson of the 
United Church of Canada in her book "Telling Her Story: Theology Out of 
Women's Struggles."  The Spanish version of the book was published by 
Bridge Resources of the Curriculum Publishing Program Area (CPPA) in 
Louisville to coincide with the Encuentro.  The Rev. Jaime Delgado, 
associate for curriculum development for CPPA presented the book, saying, 
"With this book we thank women, who are the backbone of Sunday schools in 
our denomination, and we invite the entire church to renew its educational 
ministry." 
 
    Also present at the event were five international guests from sister 
churches in Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico and Nicaragua, as well as 
representatives from various PC(USA) offices around the country.  "I've 
been waiting for this day for a whole year," said the Rev. Barbara Dua, 
associate director for women's ministries in the National Ministries 
Division in Louisville. "You, the Hispanic women, are a marvelous gift to 
the Presbyterian Church." 
 
    Following a mandate from the First Encuentro, which was held in April 
1995 in Albuquerque, N.M., the Second Encuentro served as a platform for 
the organization of the National Association of Presbyterian 
Hispanic/Latina Women.  Newly elected officers of the Association are elder 
Rosy Aja-Munoz from the Synod of South Atlantic, moderator; elder Florence 
Vargas of the Synod of Puerto Rico, vice moderator; elder Hilda Cuadra, 
Synod of Southern California and Hawaii, secretary; elder Hagar Ben¡tez of 
the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii, treasurer; and the Rev. Aleida 
Jernigan of the Synod of the Northeast, spiritual coordinator. 
 
    The Encuentro program continues to expand.  The Second National 
Encuentro served as a springboard for regional Encuentros in 1999, which 
will be organized and led by leaders and participants from each synod. 
 
    More information about the Encuentro programs and the National 
Association of Presbyterian Hispanic/Latina Women is obtainable by calling 
the Eastern Region Women's Ministries Office of the PC(USA) at (212) 
870-2107. 
 
(Yolanda Hernandez is an associate in the Eastern Region Women's Ministries 
Office.) 

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