ENCORE ISSUE

Feature Article

¡Fortalècete! Be strong!

"¡Fortalècete! ¡Tu Dios está aquí para salvarte!" ("Be strong! Your God is here to save you!") chanted more than 400 Hispanic/Latin Presbyterian Women (H/LPW), who celebrated their Third National Conference (Encuentro III) at Trinity University, in San Antonio, Texas on July 13-15, 2001. The theme echoed the prophet Isaiah's song of reassurance and challenge to the exiled (Isa. 35:3--4), and served as a timely reminder to Hispanic/Latin women that despite their multiple trials and tribulations as women of color, God's Spirit is in the midst of their struggle.

Encuentro is a triennial conference and it is the only national event conducted in the Spanish language to promote the spiritual growth and professional development of Hispanic/Latin women, including lay members, seminarians, lay pastors and clergy. Encuentro III gathered women from 44 presbyteries representing the United States and Puerto Rico, including 15 presbyteries that had never before participated in this national conference, among them Plains and Peaks, Southern Kansas, Giddings-Lovejoy and Coastal Carolina. This wider representation confirms the growing Hispanic/Latino presence in all corners of the United States, as reported by the United States Census 2000.

New to this Encuentro were a group of Brazilian sisters representing various Portuguese-speaking congregations in the United States. "I was encouraged by the presence and leadership of clergy women," said Ivone Rech, a participant from Boonton, New Jersey. "Most Brazilian denominations still deny ordination to women, so this conference was very affirming for both lay and clergy women in ministry." The conference also attracted international guests from Brazil and Mexico, including Susana M. Renner, from Brazil, who serves as director for the Women's Department at the Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in Latin America (AIPRAL). "I am delighted to be here and to support this effort to bring together the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking women in all three Americas," said Renner. "This conference is a bold step in the right direction-a dream come true."

Back to top | Previous Article | Next Article