wfn.org | Hispanic Clergywomen's Consultation

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (313
notes).

Note 312 by UMNS on Sept. 11, 1997 at 16:06 Eastern (3733 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
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CONTACT: Linda Green                           500(10-32-71B){312}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470            Sept. 11, 1997

Second Hispanic clergywomen's consultation
held after more than a decade

                 by United Methodist News Service

     For the first time in 11 years Hispanic clergywomen in the
United Methodist Church came together to talk about their
concerns.
     More than 60 clergywomen gathered at United Methodist-related
Perkins School of Theology  for the second Hispanic Clergywomen's
Consultation. 
     Hosted by school's Mexican-American Program, the Aug. 17-20
gathering allowed clergywomen from the United States, Cuba, Puerto
Rico, Mexico, Bolivia and Chile to share stories of their call and
their struggles, and to explore future opportunities for ministry.
     Director of the Mexican-American program is the Rev. Minerva
Carca$o.
     "I knew in my heart that Hispanic clergywomen are hurting,"
said the Rev. Lydia Salazar Martinez of Austin, Texas, who was
consultation chairwoman. "To hear it said out loud was powerful,
and something we all needed to experience."
     She said that one of the major issues the women needed to
discuss "was the feeling of isolation we have as we struggle with
racism and sexism."
     According to the Rev. Lynn Scott, director of continuing
education for ministers in the Board of Higher Education and
Ministry, "the power of their stories, their identity as Hispanic
women and the gifts of their ministries enrich our church and
beyond."
     The board sponsored consultations for racial ethnic
clergywomen in the mid-1980s. In succeeding years, it has provided
seed money as a way to empower Hispanic clergywomen to organize
and plan their own gatherings.
     "Though a minimal amount of money is available, the Hispanic
clergywomen have overcome economic barriers to faithfully sponsor
this consultation," Scott said.
     According to Martinez, money for continuing education is not
often available for Hispanic clergywomen. "These clergywomen work
in rural areas and small churches. Their salaries are very low,
especially in Puerto Rico and the Rio Grande Conferences."
     The second consultation also was sponsored by the
denomination's National Plan for Hispanic Ministry, Commission on
Religion and Race, and Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
     "This consultation was good for us.  It provided us with a
safe place to share our beliefs and experiences, " said the Rev.
Ruby Santiba$ez of San Antonio, Texas.
     "There is so much pain we cannot share with anyone else
except other Hispanic clergywomen, clergywomen who can understand
what we face," she said. 
     Another purpose of the consultation was to develop strategies
enabling Hispanic clergywomen to be viewed by the cabinets as
individuals with gifts and graces.
     "I think sometimes we are stereotyped and assigned to small
Hispanic churches. This was obvious from some of the stories we
heard during this consultation," Martinez observed. "We would hope
that bishops would see the many dimensions of who we are and our
ministry so that we may participate fully in open itinerancy." 
     A committee was formed from the consultation to do follow-up
work on issues raised during the gathering. The women hope to
schedule jurisdictional gatherings next year.
                              #  #  #

     Information for this article came from a release by Kathy
Gilbert, office of interpretation, United Methodist Board of
Higher Education and Ministry.

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