There’s still time for register for the two 2018 sessions of the Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency, an innovative nine-day intensive course designed for diocesan staff, clergy, lay leaders, and seminarians to learn cultural competency for Latino ministry. 

Participants have their choice of sessions:

• Monday to Monday, June 11 – 18 at Bloy House, Episcopal Theological School at Claremont, CA.
• Monday to Monday, August 5 – 13 at the School of Theology, the University of the South in Sewanee, TN.                                                                                                                   

The popular sessions are offered by the Episcopal Church Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries. The courses will be taught by seminary faculty, lay church leaders, and clergy with extensive experience in Latino and intercultural ministry.

“Combining academic learning with hands-on experience, the purpose of this multi-faceted intensive course is to provide cultural competency of the history, culture, socio-demographic, and religious aspects of the Latinos/Hispanics in the United States,” noted the Rev. Canon Anthony Guillén, Episcopal Church Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries. “Also this course will provide the foundational tools necessary for church leaders to discern and explore the type of Latino/Hispanic ministry that best fits a congregational setting and its context.”

The course will be conducted in English.

Registration for the June session at Bloy House is here.

Registration deadline is May 31.

Registration for the August session at Sewanee is here.

Registration deadline is July 20.

Registration includes tuition, hotel accommodations, meals, transportation to and from airports, and transportation during the course.  Registration does not include textbooks.  

Among the goals of the course are:

• Show a familiarity with the general Latino culture and “religiosity” context of Latino worship and sacramental pastoral care.
• Learn to manage and address the worshiping needs of a dual language congregation, or to prepare for a special liturgical event involving English and Spanish speaking attendees.
• Acquire a fundamental competency in learning the general aspects of the pastoral and congregational ministries aimed at the immigrant and first generation, plus the ministry focused especially on the more acculturated and English-language speaking Latinos of the second and third generation.
• Define and interpret the broad historical and demographic profile of the Latino/Hispanic population in the United States through designated readings, course lectures, written reflections, class participation and experiential trips.
• Acquire first-hand knowledge of the church in mission in the borderlands* and identify the political, social, and pastoral issues revolving around immigration from Mexico as well as Central and South America and the Caribbean. (*Borderlands refers to either the US/Mexico border or immigrant entry points in urban centers.)

For more information, contact Guillén.

The Latino Competency course is enabled by General Convention 2015 Resolution A086 that stipulates:  Create a Network of Partners on Latino/Hispanic Congregational Ministry Development. The course will provide foundational tools for church leaders to gain a deep understanding of ways of welcoming and serving Latino families, and sharing spiritual, sacramental and community life together.

NOTE:    Academic credits are available through the two seminaries for an additional fee.  Continuing education units are also available for all participants by both seminaries upon completion of the course. CEU hours will include personal development, theological development, and professional development hours.