by Mildred J. Reyes | Sep 14, 2023
El Mes de la Herencia Hispana – que comienza el 15 de septiembre y se extiende hasta el 15 de octubre – siempre está lleno de abundantes oportunidades para observar, celebrar y aprender sobre el rico tapiz de culturas y contribuciones de los hispanoamericanos en Estados Unidos.
En nuestra Diócesis de Washington, tenemos la suerte de contar con cinco comunidades de fe hispanohablantes activas que proporcionan un hogar espiritual a personas de muchos países y tradiciones actualmente en cinco de las ocho regiones de la diócesis. Cada comunidad de fe está dirigida por clero y líderes laicos talentosos y comprometidos. Además, reconocemos que hay muchos latinos que asisten a otras parroquias que no tienen un servicio de habla hispana.
“El Espíritu de Dios está en este lugar. El Espíritu de Dios se mueve en este lugar”. Estas palabras, de un himno de Martín Estuardo Azurdia, se cantan en muchas de nuestras comunidades latinas, es una letra que llega al corazón de la fe que actúa en la gente de cada una de estas comunidades, incluso cuando esa fe se expresa de formas únicas. El Mes de la Herencia Hispana nos invita a dedicar un tiempo intencionado a reconocer y respetar las diversas creencias y prácticas religiosas de las comunidades hispanas y latinas. Celebrar la fe junto a la cultura es una forma de apreciar la riqueza y profundidad de estas comunidades y sus contribuciones a la sociedad estadounidense.
Para muchos, formar parte de nuestras comunidades de fe latinas proporciona un fuerte sentido de pertenencia y a menudo desempeña un papel importante en la práctica del cristianismo, ofreciendo apoyo, compañerismo/convivio, oportunidades de servicio y, sobre todo, un sentido de familia.
Durante las próximas semanas, le presentaremos a algunos líderes laicos de nuestras congregaciones a través de nuestras plataformas de medios sociales mientras comparten con nosotros cómo el ser Latino/a/e/x informa su identidad cristiana como seguidor de Jesús. Mientras celebramos este mes, le invitamos a celebrar con una de nuestras comunidades de fe Latinas que se extienden desde el norte del condado de Montgomery hasta el norte del condado de Prince George’s y el distrito.
¡Todos son bienvenidos! All are welcome!
Síganos en Facebook aquí (español) y aquí (inglés)
Síganos en Instagram aquí (español) y aquí (inglés)
Mildred Briones Reyes
Misionera de Ministerios Latinos/Hispanos e Iniciativas Diocesanas
by Mildred J. Reyes | Sep 14, 2023
Hispanic Heritage Month – which kicks off September 15 and runs through October 15 – is always filled with bountiful opportunities to observe, celebrate and learn about the rich tapestry of cultures and contributions of Hispanic Americans in the United States.
In our Diocese of Washington, we are fortunate to have five active Spanish-speaking faith communities that provide a spiritual home to people of many countries and traditions currently in five of the eight regions in the diocese. Each faith community is led by gifted and committed clergy and lay leaders. In addition, we recognize that there are many Latinos who attend other parishes that do not have a Spanish-speaking service.
“El Espíritu de Dios está en este lugar. El Espíritu de Dios se mueve en este lugar.” These words, from a hymn by Martin Estuardo Azurdia, are sung at many of our Latino worshiping communities, and translate to “The Spirit of God is in this place. The Spirit of God moves in this place” – a lyric that gets to the heart of the faith at work in the people in each of these communities even as that faith is expressed in unique ways. Hispanic Heritage Month invites us to devote intentional time to recognize and respect the diverse religious beliefs and practices within Hispanic and Latinx communities. Celebrating faith alongside culture is a way to appreciate the richness and depth of these communities and their contributions to American society.
For many, being part of our Latino faith communities provides a strong sense of belonging and often plays a significant role in the practice of Christianity, offering support, fellowship/convivio, opportunities for service, and most of all, a sense of familia.
Over the next few weeks, we will introduce you to a few lay leaders from our congregations across our social media platforms as they share with us how being a Latino/a/e/x informs their Christian identity as a follower of Jesus. As we celebrate this month, we invite you to worship with one of our Latino faith communities ranging from Northern Montgomery County to North Prince George’s County and the District.
¡Todos son bienvenidos! All are welcome!
Follow us on Facebook here (Spanish) and here (English)
Follow us on Instagram here (Spanish) and here (English)
Mildred Briones Reyes
Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries and Diocesan Initiatives
by Mildred J. Reyes | Mar 16, 2023
The mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington is to draw people to Jesus and embody his love for the world by equipping faith communities, promoting spiritual growth, and striving for justice. One of the ways we as a diocese help equip our faith communities is by administering a variety of grants and scholarships each year. By investing in the development of our people, programs, and infrastructure, we sow the seeds that will enable our church to become a spiritual home for our children and grandchildren.
Over the past three years, diocesan grants have been given to develop meaningful and transformative programs that bless our communities, including vacation bible schools and food pantries. Grants have supported the shift to online and hybrid worship–and the return to creative, welcoming in-person worship. Diocesan grants have also been disbursed to assist parishes in bolstering their communications capabilities in conjunction with the Parish Website Design and Hosting Program. Scholarships offer the opportunity for our people to pursue continuing education and defray educational expenses for young students, especially in St. Mary’s County.
Many of these grants and scholarships are made possible through the investment earnings of earmarked funds that require yearly allocations. In the past year alone, the diocese has distributed over $200,000 in grants and scholarships.
We encourage all diocesan leaders to visit EDOW’s Grants & Scholarships page to explore the various grants and scholarships available and learn more about how to apply.
In addition, The Episcopal Church has a variety of grants & scholarships to support institutions and individuals across the worldwide Anglican Communion as they strengthen their engagement in the Jesus Movement – for creation care, evangelism; for mission to create a more just society and confront structures that promote cycles of poverty and inequality; for mission developers who are envisioning, planning, or growing new worshiping communities and missional enterprises to young adult and campus ministry. Please visit The Episcopal Church’s Grants & Scholarships page to see the specific eligibility requirements.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Mildred Reyes, Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries & Diocesan Initiatives.
by Mildred J. Reyes | Sep 15, 2022
Celebrated from September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to appreciate the various Latino/Hispanic countries and the culture that each has brought to the United States, The Episcopal Church, and the Diocese of Washington. These cultures trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Hispanic or Latino population, which includes people of any race, was 62.6 million in 2021, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest racial or ethnic minority. The Episcopal Diocese of Washington has a long history of Latino/Hispanic ministry dating from the 1970’s. In our diocese, we have six distinct Spanish-speaking faith communities, all represent a melting pot of many people, but form one family in Christ. This phrase from our friend, Julio Cuellar is the title of a song, Many People, One Family, that was first used for the Nuevo Amanecer event in 2018 and serves as the focal point of our diocesan Latino/Hispanic ministry. As we celebrate this month, we invite you to worship with one of our Latino faith communities ranging from Northern Montgomery County to North Prince George’s County and the District. All are welcome!
by Mildred J. Reyes | Sep 15, 2022
Celebrado del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana es una forma de apreciar los diversos países latinos/hispanos y la cultura que cada uno ha aportado a los Estados Unidos, a la Iglesia Episcopal y a la Diócesis de Washington. Estas culturas tienen sus raíces en España, México, Centroamérica, Sudamérica y las naciones hispanohablantes del Caribe.
Según la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos, la población hispana o latina, que incluye a personas de cualquier raza, era de 62,6 millones en 2021, lo que convierte a las personas de origen hispano en la mayor minoría racial o étnica del país. La Diócesis Episcopal de Washington tiene una larga historia de ministerio latino/hispano que data de la década de 1970. En nuestra diócesis, tenemos seis comunidades de fe distintas de habla hispana, todas representan un crisol de muchas personas, pero forman una sola familia en Cristo. Esta frase de nuestro amigo, Julio Cuéllar es el título de una canción, Muchos pueblos, una familia, que se utilizó por primera vez para el evento Nuevo Amanecer en 2018 y sirve como punto focal de nuestro ministerio diocesano latino/hispano. Al celebrar este mes, le invitamos a adorar con una de nuestras comunidades de fe latinas que van desde el norte del condado de Montgomery hasta el norte del condado de Prince George’s y el distrito. ¡Todos estan bienvenidos!
