Saturday, April 16, 2005
Step by Step
This has been a busy week. It has held the meeting of several students who see the need for the seminary to provide credit for those wishing to become bilingual. At present VTS is unable to make that commitment citing problems for accreditation and as it not ranking with other needs in the preparation of students.
Last evening I was honored to hear Bishop Ramos. He spoke to the Encuentro that gathered this weekend at VTS. He too spoke of the need for seminaries to proactive in their stance of preparing students to mission to Spanish Speaking persons. Bishop Ramos did mention the vote that went to General Convention 2003 and expects it to go to be voted on again in 2006. He also mentioned the fact that if the Pentecostal can do it (build churches through the support of the people) so should we. Could we have gotten to comfortable with structure?
It seems to me the church needs to make a decision to support it. If we trust in our Lord and we are acting in line with spreading the gospel then the assets will show up. A decision would legitimate the process opening the doors toward the proper preparation of clergy. What bothers me most about this resistance is that we are lagging behind American Business. The church should lead not follow capital markets. I think too of Paul. What if he tried to evangelize using only Hebrew? I understand evangelize is a bit of a dirty word in the Episcopal church. That needs to change.
I had the opportunity to also meet and speak with Danielle Caballero the Missioner for Hispanic Ministry office. He seemed supportive of the thinking and the initial steps our student group was taking. He believed that General Convention needs to give the Spanish language initive some teeth through a decision. He also mentioned the hope that Deans from all the seminaries should meet to decide common ground on how to proceed.
On the mission front I went to Fr. Reyes Spanish Liturgy class at Santa Maria. He is a powerful witness. He had such exuberance. His class coming on the heels I'm sure on long day. After he told me he has been invited to be a part of a group forming out of Christ Church Alexandria that will be partnering Our Little Roses. From what I heard they are meeting to train the up and communing women of OLR Democracy. From just the brief bits I have heard it sounds as if some of the movers and shakers in Washington will be training the women in political action.
At the Wednesday training I ran into a gentleman from St. Mary's church who will be going to OLR in July. I look forward to meeting him again as he said he would give me some pictures of his now multiple visits to OLR. He'll be returning in July so it possible I might be able to go with him to St. Lukes which is supposed to be a real rural parish in either Northern or Central Honduras.
It continues to be exciting.
Last evening I was honored to hear Bishop Ramos. He spoke to the Encuentro that gathered this weekend at VTS. He too spoke of the need for seminaries to proactive in their stance of preparing students to mission to Spanish Speaking persons. Bishop Ramos did mention the vote that went to General Convention 2003 and expects it to go to be voted on again in 2006. He also mentioned the fact that if the Pentecostal can do it (build churches through the support of the people) so should we. Could we have gotten to comfortable with structure?
It seems to me the church needs to make a decision to support it. If we trust in our Lord and we are acting in line with spreading the gospel then the assets will show up. A decision would legitimate the process opening the doors toward the proper preparation of clergy. What bothers me most about this resistance is that we are lagging behind American Business. The church should lead not follow capital markets. I think too of Paul. What if he tried to evangelize using only Hebrew? I understand evangelize is a bit of a dirty word in the Episcopal church. That needs to change.
I had the opportunity to also meet and speak with Danielle Caballero the Missioner for Hispanic Ministry office. He seemed supportive of the thinking and the initial steps our student group was taking. He believed that General Convention needs to give the Spanish language initive some teeth through a decision. He also mentioned the hope that Deans from all the seminaries should meet to decide common ground on how to proceed.
On the mission front I went to Fr. Reyes Spanish Liturgy class at Santa Maria. He is a powerful witness. He had such exuberance. His class coming on the heels I'm sure on long day. After he told me he has been invited to be a part of a group forming out of Christ Church Alexandria that will be partnering Our Little Roses. From what I heard they are meeting to train the up and communing women of OLR Democracy. From just the brief bits I have heard it sounds as if some of the movers and shakers in Washington will be training the women in political action.
At the Wednesday training I ran into a gentleman from St. Mary's church who will be going to OLR in July. I look forward to meeting him again as he said he would give me some pictures of his now multiple visits to OLR. He'll be returning in July so it possible I might be able to go with him to St. Lukes which is supposed to be a real rural parish in either Northern or Central Honduras.
It continues to be exciting.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Preparations
Things are moving very fast now. Faster than I have been diligent in writing about. The family has gotten our passports and will soon go to the doctor to upgrade on any shots or recieve any medication for the journey that will soon be happening.
I have briefly spoken to Kathleen Gannon who is a graduating senior here at VTS. She went to Our Little Roses over Easter Break. She spoke very warmly not only of the place but the people. We are supposed to get together to review here photos.
The family is doing well. My wife has expressed some nervousness. She worries mainly about the children. There are risks of course and these are natural but that last statement does not do a whole lot for a family who worries about the unknown. Pre-mission jitters to be sure. I think I will need to ask Kathy to come and speak to us not only about Honduras but her experience in Africa. As novices it will be important to hear about the transition and what to expect. This would help both my wife and I.
It looks as if I'll purchase tickets on the weekend of the 16th. As soon as I do I will have to inform the folks at OLR.
I have had ideas that I need to write down. The first is about the need not only for mission but about ways of letting people know at VTS about Spanish Language services and training. This blog could be a part of that. It would require gathering local churches and missions that have spanish services. Having them all linked here could become a resource for those seminarians seeking info about parishes in Northern Virginia/Washington DC to check out who is doing what and where. Spanish Language links and helps would also be a good thing. One stop shopping...
I was also thinking of my presentation upon our return. I believe a strong presentation about Honduras but coupled with the sheer magnitude of Latino's in and around our campus could help students and even faculty with the recognition that the spanish language (which is still beyond my reach at this point) is not something that is going away. I would like to get photo's and information of spanish speakers on Campus but also a display of local places and their catering to the spanish speaking persons. It is hard to be contious of that in such a english emphasized place.
I have briefly spoken to Kathleen Gannon who is a graduating senior here at VTS. She went to Our Little Roses over Easter Break. She spoke very warmly not only of the place but the people. We are supposed to get together to review here photos.
The family is doing well. My wife has expressed some nervousness. She worries mainly about the children. There are risks of course and these are natural but that last statement does not do a whole lot for a family who worries about the unknown. Pre-mission jitters to be sure. I think I will need to ask Kathy to come and speak to us not only about Honduras but her experience in Africa. As novices it will be important to hear about the transition and what to expect. This would help both my wife and I.
It looks as if I'll purchase tickets on the weekend of the 16th. As soon as I do I will have to inform the folks at OLR.
I have had ideas that I need to write down. The first is about the need not only for mission but about ways of letting people know at VTS about Spanish Language services and training. This blog could be a part of that. It would require gathering local churches and missions that have spanish services. Having them all linked here could become a resource for those seminarians seeking info about parishes in Northern Virginia/Washington DC to check out who is doing what and where. Spanish Language links and helps would also be a good thing. One stop shopping...
I was also thinking of my presentation upon our return. I believe a strong presentation about Honduras but coupled with the sheer magnitude of Latino's in and around our campus could help students and even faculty with the recognition that the spanish language (which is still beyond my reach at this point) is not something that is going away. I would like to get photo's and information of spanish speakers on Campus but also a display of local places and their catering to the spanish speaking persons. It is hard to be contious of that in such a english emphasized place.
