Hispanic/Latino

In April we reported on The Lighthouse in Union City, a temporary residence established by the Rev. Deacon Jill Singleton for asylum seekers, the majority of whom are from Latin American countries. Recently Jill sat for another interview in which she shares what she sees as the challenges and opportunities of Hispanic/Latino ministry in the Diocese of Newark, plus gives an update on The Lighthouse. The interview has been edited and condensed.

The waves of recent immigrants in our communities are creating a more diverse society, which implies that faith leaders have to prepare the way so that these newcomers can feel welcome in the communities in which English might not be the primary language spoken.

The Rev. Miguel Hernandez of Holy Trinity, West Orange is quoted in this article.

[Essex News Daily] The West Orange Hispanic Foundation (WOHF) celebrated its first anniversary with a party at Elks Lodge No. 1590 on July 30.

The Hispanic population of the U.S. is projected to grow to more than 130 million by 2050, said the Rev. Rosa Brown, chair of the Diocese of Newark's Commission on Hispanic/Latino Ministry, in the Commission's report to the 141st Annual Diocesan Convention. And the Commission is "active and working in the diocese," she said as she outlined the group's activities over the past year and its plans for the future.

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.

Saturday, April 5 was a busy day in the Diocese of Newark, with educational events on Stewardship and Latino/Hispanic ministry drawing attendees from throughout the diocese.

In July 2009, the Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministry presented a vision and strategic plan to General Convention that challenged the Episcopal Church to consider an emerging opportunity: