Summer to Remember
I know the title of this article sounds like a movie flick or a new series on one of the popular streaming platforms. It is how I describe the Summer of 2023 because of the multiple celebrations we had in the Rio Texas Conference. The title is not because of the scorching temperatures we endured across Texas (even though we broke the record of most consecutive days with triple digit temperatures). I want to focus on the celebrations from this summer.
We welcomed the season with the Rio Texas Annual Conference. Many people were happy to be back at Corpus Christi after four years. I was excited because, thanks to the leadership of Rev. Nohemi Ramirez’s sponsorship and collaboration from multiple pastors, a resolution acknowledging the 150th anniversary of Mexican and Mexican American Methodism was composed and presented. The resolution was read during the plenary session and received by all delegates with a joyous and celebratory tone. Later the same day, Kelsey Memorial UMC in Corpus Christi hosted a dinner. Not only was the dinner important because of the presence of Bishop Robert Schnase and Retired Bishop Joel Martinez, but Kelsey was the first Hispano-Latino church in the Corpus Christi-area.
The event was possible because of the initiative, collaboration, and support from La Trinidad UMC San Antonio and Kelsey Memorial UMC. Thank you, pastors, leaders and everyone involved in all details. Bishop Martinez read to us about some important events and figures who set milestones of the Mexican and Mexican American methodism history. Bishop Martinez reminded us of the valuable contribution of Mexican and Mexican American lay and clergy leaders to the faith community of the Mexico-Texas area and to the general church.
We sang the Metodista Anthem. Mariachis delighted all participants with traditional songs and many other popular coritos or worship songs. Everyone sang, tasted delicious food, and enjoyed fellowship with diverse peoples. For me, this was a great time to hear of our story and the contribution of many saints to renew our strength and continue our journey. These events reminded me that I am part of the great cloud of witnesses, celebrating our diversity.
Unfortunately, a few weeks after the celebration at Kelsey, we witnessed another type of celebration. We celebrated the transition of Rev. Edgar Avitia into the triumphant church. He was a key participant in the celebration at Kelsey a few weeks before his passing. He contributed and wrote a portion of what Bishop Martinez read at Kelsey. On July 2, family and friends gave thanks for the life of Rev. Avitia. He gave witness to The United Methodist Church and to many Wesleyan churches in Latin America. His passion to share stories and build bridges with many Iglesias Metodistas across America led him to create many friendships everywhere he went. He served well in his ministry and promoted a love for hearing our true story. Rest in the presence of our Mighty God, brother Edgar Avitia.
We closed the summer with a massive gathering at La Trinidad UMC San Antonio. Rev. Raquel and John Feagins extended an invitation to the Hispanic caucus in the Methodist church, Mestodistas Asociados por la Causa Hispano-Latina en América (MARCHA). The MARCHA executive committee gathered about 200 Pastors and lay leaders from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico gathered for their Annual Assembly, celebrating its 51th anniversary and continuing the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the establishment of Methodism in Mexico for Mexican Americans.
Prior to the event, multiple pastors and lay members from San Antonio, San Marcos, Seguin, and Floresville worked together to make this event possible; some were part of worship while others welcomed and lead people throughout the event. A few others helped as translators and others invited people to volunteer to decorate and serve. It was a true collaboration to represent the Rio Texas Conference and the South-Central Jurisdiction with honor and smile to all visitors.
The Main theme of the gathering this year was “Somos Metodistas, Somos MARCHA, Somos” (We are Methodist, we are MARCHA, We are). The time together was meaningful. First and foremost, it was the first time coming back together after 3 years of online events and workshops. La Trinidad’s Gym was like a popular market filled with sounds, colors, laughs and fiesta from beginning to end. The president of MARCHA lifted up in prayer those who are struggling, like our migrant communities at the border seeking asylum, and those in our country who are mistreated or in the shadows: victims of gun violence and families who mourn their loved ones; and the silencing of Bishop Minerva Carcaño. We mourn the loss of Rev. Edgar and his legacy in MARCHA, Latin America, and his ministry. There is no easy way to face difficult times, but they are less painful when we know God is with us and we have hermanas y hermanos supporting us in prayers and in our community.
We had the presence of six United Methodist Bishops, and Bishop Lizette Gabriel Montano, the first female Bishop in Puerto Rico. MARCHA hosted a banquet where Rep. Delia Ramirez was the speaker of the night. She shared her testimony of being a daughter of an immigrant mother from Guatemala. She encourages us to walk with courage knowing that God’s grace is with us. She never thought she would be running for congress in Illinois, let alone win an election. She recalled that many times people at her job reminded her that she does not belong in Congress, but her faith and love for her people or “mi gente” as she said, gave her strength to walk with her chin up, because God and her people would be walking with her into those places designed to keep her out. She was an inspiration for all participants. Her local United Methodist Church instilled in her the passion to show her faith through actions, helped her to find her voice to speak for those without voice, and to seek human rights for all of God’s children.
We had the opportunity to hear, debate, amend, and create proposals for the General Conference. In this exercise, I was reminded that we are in different places, theologically and culturally. We did debate for some time and came to an agreement in a respectful way knowing that all of us are valuable and sought to honor each other’s position. It was a wonderful time to have an open conversation about issues that we did not always agree upon. But if we listen and have empathy for one another, we can hear each other’s heart. Bishop Joel Martinez was not able to be physically present but he shared in a video message the significant events in the 150 years of Mexican and Mexican-American Methodism that inspired many to continue the journey.
These are a few of the reasons that lead me to say this was a summer to remember. It made me think of Isaiah 52:7-8. It is good to hear good news, shouts of joy from those who bring good tides. We are living difficult and transitional times and I need Good News to keep me grounded and keep me from becoming cynical. These events refresh my faith and confidence that God continues calling us to bring life to places that sometimes show nothing but death. Thank you to all lay leaders and fellow pastors who seek to build God’s kingdom wherever you set foot.