Latino/Hispanic Ministries
Grace to you in the name of Jesus who is Christ of all peoples. And thanks be to God for the mission of the Church.
First, I offer thanksgivings for my friend the Rev. Isaías Rodriguez of the Diocese of Atlanta in his leadership as provincial coordinator. Episcopalians in northern Georgia and the wider Church may tell you about Isaías’s initiative and energy for apostolic mission. Isaías and I have had several conversations about his role as Province IV coordinator for our Latino/Hispanic ministries. Therefore, there is a healthy transition in place for next steps in our ministry of the Church.
In the book of Genesis, human beings are given the power of naming. Our dominion over Creation includes naming the created order. I offer to you in Province IV the title Latino/Hispanic for our ministry. The term Latino/Hispanic is inclusive, international and informative. The expression Latino/Hispanic refers to the many peoples of the Americas including South, Central and North America as well as the Caribbean.
The name Latino/Hispanic includes persons from nations whose native language is Spanish, Portuguese, French/Creole, indigenous dialects, and English. There are persons who live within the geographic boundaries of Province IV who speak one of more of these languages. Some of these Latinos/Hispanics are attendees or parishioners of Episcopal congregations
who have been welcomed with open church doors.
As Provincial coordinator I will work toward becoming a church with open doors, open hearts, and open souls. I invite you to team ministry with a vision, “share Christ with all peoples.” May our values include “respect for the dignity of every human being.”
As coordinator I plan to contact, connect and collaborate with anyone who chooses to walk this spiritual journey of Latino/Hispanic ministry. I celebrate the Latino/Hispanic rainbow identity that is diverse in language, history, and culture. I will begin to identify the challenging and promising ministries throughout Province IV. I pledge to be a colleague and find resources with everyone who is called to be an instrument of the Gospel among Latino/Hispanic persons.
You may be aware that since 2001, the region of Province IV has had among the largest rates of growth of Latinos/Hispanics in the entire United States. These demographics include counties in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. There are Latino/Hispanic ministries residing in cities, small towns, rural areas, and urban settings. New realities are not always easy yet change may be embraced as opportunity for the mission and ministry of the Church.
We are known as the Province of Sewanee located in what was the Old South. The 21st century has dawned a new opportunity for a transforming South! In the course of time and events, Latinos/Hispanics and the Episcopal Church have met and come together as people of God. Together, may we respond with grace and truth to the changing mission field. Together, may the people of God share our story. Together may we share gifts in Christ.
The Rev. Richard J. Aguilar, a native of San Antonio, Texas, serves as chair of Province IV's Latino/Hispanic Ministries. He is priest at St. Margaret’s of Scotland and San Francisco de Asis Episcopal Church in Miami Lakes, Fla. In his diocese (Southeast Florida), he is a member of the Nehemiah Steering Group, the Hispanic Commission and the Task Force of Blessing of Civil Unions. He was a deputy to General Convention in 1994, 1997 and 2000, and was a volunteer in 2006 and 2009. He has served on the Executive Council’s commission on Racism, the Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development and the Standing Commission on National Concerns. He is on the board of Forward Movement publications and the Council of Advice for Latino/Hispanic missioner. Aguilar received a B.A. degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., with a double major in economics and Spanish literature. In 1986 he was graduated from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, ordained to the diaconate that same year, and to the priesthood, in 1987. Before his move to Miami Lakes, he served Episcopal parishes in Eagle Pass, Brownsville, San Antonio, and Seguin in the Diocese of West Texas, and as Latino Missioner for the Diocese of Southern Ohio, in Columbus. At this year's "Marks of Leadership" Conference, he presented on a strategic vision for reaching Latinos/Hispanics.
First, I offer thanksgivings for my friend the Rev. Isaías Rodriguez of the Diocese of Atlanta in his leadership as provincial coordinator. Episcopalians in northern Georgia and the wider Church may tell you about Isaías’s initiative and energy for apostolic mission. Isaías and I have had several conversations about his role as Province IV coordinator for our Latino/Hispanic ministries. Therefore, there is a healthy transition in place for next steps in our ministry of the Church.
In the book of Genesis, human beings are given the power of naming. Our dominion over Creation includes naming the created order. I offer to you in Province IV the title Latino/Hispanic for our ministry. The term Latino/Hispanic is inclusive, international and informative. The expression Latino/Hispanic refers to the many peoples of the Americas including South, Central and North America as well as the Caribbean.
The name Latino/Hispanic includes persons from nations whose native language is Spanish, Portuguese, French/Creole, indigenous dialects, and English. There are persons who live within the geographic boundaries of Province IV who speak one of more of these languages. Some of these Latinos/Hispanics are attendees or parishioners of Episcopal congregations
who have been welcomed with open church doors.
As Provincial coordinator I will work toward becoming a church with open doors, open hearts, and open souls. I invite you to team ministry with a vision, “share Christ with all peoples.” May our values include “respect for the dignity of every human being.”
As coordinator I plan to contact, connect and collaborate with anyone who chooses to walk this spiritual journey of Latino/Hispanic ministry. I celebrate the Latino/Hispanic rainbow identity that is diverse in language, history, and culture. I will begin to identify the challenging and promising ministries throughout Province IV. I pledge to be a colleague and find resources with everyone who is called to be an instrument of the Gospel among Latino/Hispanic persons.
You may be aware that since 2001, the region of Province IV has had among the largest rates of growth of Latinos/Hispanics in the entire United States. These demographics include counties in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. There are Latino/Hispanic ministries residing in cities, small towns, rural areas, and urban settings. New realities are not always easy yet change may be embraced as opportunity for the mission and ministry of the Church.
We are known as the Province of Sewanee located in what was the Old South. The 21st century has dawned a new opportunity for a transforming South! In the course of time and events, Latinos/Hispanics and the Episcopal Church have met and come together as people of God. Together, may we respond with grace and truth to the changing mission field. Together, may the people of God share our story. Together may we share gifts in Christ.
— The Reverend Richard J. Aguilar, priest
Coordinator for Latino/Hispanic ministries
Coordinator for Latino/Hispanic ministries
The Rev. Richard J. Aguilar, a native of San Antonio, Texas, serves as chair of Province IV's Latino/Hispanic Ministries. He is priest at St. Margaret’s of Scotland and San Francisco de Asis Episcopal Church in Miami Lakes, Fla. In his diocese (Southeast Florida), he is a member of the Nehemiah Steering Group, the Hispanic Commission and the Task Force of Blessing of Civil Unions. He was a deputy to General Convention in 1994, 1997 and 2000, and was a volunteer in 2006 and 2009. He has served on the Executive Council’s commission on Racism, the Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development and the Standing Commission on National Concerns. He is on the board of Forward Movement publications and the Council of Advice for Latino/Hispanic missioner. Aguilar received a B.A. degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., with a double major in economics and Spanish literature. In 1986 he was graduated from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, ordained to the diaconate that same year, and to the priesthood, in 1987. Before his move to Miami Lakes, he served Episcopal parishes in Eagle Pass, Brownsville, San Antonio, and Seguin in the Diocese of West Texas, and as Latino Missioner for the Diocese of Southern Ohio, in Columbus. At this year's "Marks of Leadership" Conference, he presented on a strategic vision for reaching Latinos/Hispanics.
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