Over 60 clergy and spouses from Province VII and throughout the Episcopal Church gathered at Seminary of the Southwest for the Aug. 12-14, 2013, Clergy Conference for Latino/Hispanic Ministries. Photo: Seminary of the Southwest

Over 60 clergy and spouses from Province VII and throughout the Episcopal Church gathered at Seminary of the Southwest for the Aug. 12-14, 2013, Clergy Conference for Latino/Hispanic Ministries.

The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, bishop of the Diocese of Costa Rica, gave the keynote address and preached at the opening Eucharist on Aug. 12. Presentations included Using the Social Media for Evangelization and Church Planting by the Rev. Edgar Giraldo Orozco; Communications and PR by Jim Estrada; Analyzing Your Target Area through MissionInsite by the Rev. Canon Anthony Guillén; The Latina in The Episcopal Church: A Personal Mexican American perspective by Ms. Enedina Vasquez; and Exploring the Alternate Training Route/Options for Formation of Latino Clergy by Rev. Paul Barton.

The Rev. Laurie McKim, Southwest alumna, ’12, and conference participant reflected on ministry development through intentional connections.

“My summer in Costa Rica changed my life.  I returned to Austin so enthused that Father Al Rodriguez, my field parish supervisor, caught the excitement, and proposed a relationship between the Diocese of Costa Rica and the Diocese of Texas. With the blessings of the Texas diocesan World Mission board, an exploratory trip ensued. Rodriguez, in developing a relationship with Monterroso invited the bishop to be a keynote speaker at this conference.  And here he is. Something beautiful is happening here in terms of global relationship development and opportunities for future seminarians,” she said.

Seminary of the Southwest hosts the Latino/Hispanic Ministry Conference, which is coordinated by the Rev. Al Rodriguez, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Austin. The conference will alternate years with Nuevo Amanecer, held at Kanuga Conference Center next year and hosted by The Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministry of the Episcopal Church.