The San Antonio area churches of the Rio Grande Conference played host to an Immersion
Group from the Iowa Conference during January of 2003. The Immersion
Group used their experience to both strengthen their bonds with the Rio Grande
Conference and to learn techniques and methods for reaching the growing Hispanic
population in Iowa.
The Immersion Group arrived in San Antonio on
Friday, Jan. 17 and divided up in to three teams. One team was sent to
work with the Border Ministries in the Valley, another team was sent to do mission
work near Mexico City, and a third team stayed to work with the San Antonio
area churches. The San Antonio Team spent time learning about the various
outreach ministries and program at each of the ten area churches, including the
La Casita program at El Mesias UMC, the Restitution Program at Monte Sinai UMC,
the After School Tutoring Program at La Trinidad UMC, and the Children's Sidewalk
Church School Ministry run by Principe de Paz UMC. The Team also participated
in a Bible Study at Westlawn UMC, the bi-weekly San Antonio Team Ministries
Meeting at Pollard Memorial UMC, and met with the Hispanic Religious Partnership
at El Divino Salvador UMC, as well as taking part in many other activities.
One
of the principal goals for the Immersion Experience was
to find effective methods for addressing the Hispanic population in Iowa, which
has grown dramatically over past few years. In addition, the two conferences
have historically shared a strong relationship, particularly between the Principe de Paz and Walnut Hills congregations. The visit by the Immersion Group was truly
a blessing for the San Antonio churches as they had an opportunity to showcase
ministries and worship services as well as make new connections within the United
Methodist Church.
The San Antonio Team included Bishop Gregory Palmer,
the Bishop's Assistant Darline Balm-Demmel, District Superintendents Charles
Luers, Ron Kramer, Charles Kellogg, and Judith Miller. Members of the
Coordinating Committee for the Rio Grande Conference included Louie Gorena, Rev.
Frank Estrada, Rev. Arturo Mariscal, Minnie Romo, Tirso Romo and Abel Vega,
Jr.
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