Noticias
News
(English text below)
Los trastornos ocasionados por el Covid-19 han hecho más urgentes e importantes las alianzas de colaboración entre instituciones y organizaciones. Por esa razón AETH realizó el conversatorio en línea sobre la importancia, desafíos y promesas de crear alianzas entre seminarios, institutos bíblicos e iglesias frente a las nuevas realidades. En él participaron casi cuarenta líderes representando países de todo el continente americano y de una variedad de denominaciones e instituciones teológicas. Fue un diálogo en el que se informó qué están haciendo algunos seminarios para establecer relaciones con institutos bíblicos y para reclutar estudiantes dentro de la comunidad hispana-latina. Se resaltó también la importancia del programa de Certificación de Institutos Bíblicos que ofrece AETH como un medio para la colaboración con seminarios y de conexión de éstos con las iglesias locales. Este conversatorio es parte de las actividades preparatorias camino a la celebración del Tercer Encuentro Latino de Educación Teológica en junio del 2021.
The disruptions caused by Covid-19 have made collaborative alliances between institutions and organizations more urgent and important. For this reason, AETH held the online conversation on the importance, challenges, and promises of creating alliances between seminaries, Bible institutes, and churches in the face of new realities. Nearly forty leaders representing countries from across the Americas and from a variety of denominations and theological institutions participated. It was a dialogue that informed what some seminars are doing to establish relationships with Bible institutes and to recruit students within the Hispanic-Latino community. The importance of the Biblical Institutes Certification program offered by AETH was also highlighted as a means of collaborating with and connecting seminaries with local churches. This discussion is part of the preparatory activities on the way to the celebration of the Third Latin Meeting of Theological Education in June 2021.
Sábado octubre 3, 12pm -3pm (tiempo del Este)
Saturday October 3, 12pm -3pm (Eastern Time)
We feel great enthusiasm and anticipation for what it means to hold our biennial assembly, for the first time virtually this year. On this occasion, we will unite with the common commitment to discovering "Opportunities for our mission in times of crisis." We will do so with the conviction that in these times of crisis and uncertain future, the God who has guided and sustained his people throughout history is and will be with us. (Psalm 23.4).
This year registration is already included in your membership fee, so sign up now here: Biennial Assembly 2020.
John R. Wimmer, 63, program director in religion at Lilly Endowment, Inc., died on June 24, 2020, after he courageously fought a battle against a rare form of prostate cancer, and exceeded his life expectancy by almost two years.
Wimmer joined the Lilly Endowment staff in 2002, and in his role as program officer in the religion division, Wimmer was responsible for nearly $550,000 million in grants that supported religious institutions across the wide spectrum of Christian traditions. These grants strategically helped congregations and pastors, denominations, and theological schools, as well as church-related agencies and other religious non-profits, strengthen their capacities to serve their communities and the world.” (from his obituary).
John was very instrumental in helping AETH to develop, submit and obtain grants from the Religion Program at Lilly Endowments, all of which have impacted the work of AETH in the last decade. In 2016, during our 25th Anniversary Biennial Meeting, he sat with leaders of Bible Institutes and other theological institutions to eat with us and listen to us. His advice and support were critical for AETH to received in 2017 the grant “Hispanic Bible Institutes Network: a collaborative effort for improving the quality of programs and for increasing the number of students and graduates”. Even, last February, he still took time to participate with other officers from the Program Religion to talk with us as we were ready to submit another grant focusing on AETH’s capacity building to better serve into the next decade.
Saddened for his passing but grateful to God for his life, our condolences and prayers go out to his wife Jan and their son David.
Happy are those who from now on die in the service of the Lord!” “Yes indeed!” answers the Spirit. “They will enjoy rest from their hard work, because the results of their service go with them.” (Rev.14.13).
As part of the activities leading up to the Third Encuentro on Latino Theological Education (to be held in June 2021), this past Monday, 50 leaders from various Latin American countries and from various regions of the United States participated in an online dialogue on the topic: "Lamento: voz del alma y ecos de esperanza". Combining reflection, singing, poetry, and artistic drawing, the conversation dealt with biblical and theological foundations, as well as the pastoral implications of the human experience of lament, especially within the context of situations of calamity and pain, as produced by a pandemic caused by the Covid 19. If you are interested in receiving the audio of the second part of the meeting and a copy of the power point presentation, register at the following link: "Lament, voices of hope. "
Englsih text below.
¿A qué nos llama el Espíritu de Dios y el mensaje de Jesucristo en estos días de conflicto social? (12 de junio, 2020).
Para quienes servimos y somos parte de AETH, los cambios y conflictos que se dan en el mundo nos desafían a discernir cómo actuar en medio de ellos, movidos por el Espíritu de Dios y guiados por el mensaje de fe y esperanza de Jesús. Seguir a Jesús implica seguir su llamado de trabajar en la creación del futuro que desde siempre Dios ha deseado para todo ser humano y para toda la creación: plenitud de vida caracterizada por la justicia, el amor, el gozo y la paz, valores centrales del reino de Dios.
En días recientes hemos sido testigos, una vez más, de los efectos de una pandemia que ha estado entre nosotros casi desde la fundación de este país: la pandemia del racismo. Los actos de injustica racial, manifestados en la reciente e injustificable muerte de George Floyd nos recuerdan una de las tantas formas de discriminación racial que siguen arraigadas en las instituciones que dominan la vida política, social y, sí, también religiosa en nuestra sociedad. La respuesta indiferente y violenta de parte de líderes del gobierno al sufrimiento y dolor de los grupos humanos que claman por justicia racial se contraponen al mensaje central de Jesucristo de “buscar primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia” (Mt. 6.33).
Todo esto nos llama tanto a la oración como a la acción. Por eso debemos preguntarnos: ¿a qué nos mueve el Espíritu de Dios en medio de estos cambios y conflictos sociales, que tienen en su raíz una crisis espiritual?
• Como padres y madres ¿qué conversaciones debemos tener con nuestros hijos e hijas en el seno de nuestro hogar sobre el pecado del racismo y la buena noticia de que Dios creó solo una raza, la raza humana, a la cual ama por igual?
•Como líderes de iglesia ¿qué ejemplos de dolor y qué actos de solidaridad debemos dar a las nuevas generaciones de jóvenes que están dispuestas a protestar pacíficamente movidos por una urgencia de justicia y por una consciencia social que no encuentran en sus congregaciones?
• Como ministros y ministras de la Palabra ¿cuáles deben ser hoy los temas bíblicos y teológicos que nutren nuestra predicación y enseñanza en la iglesia ante una sociedad que “tiene hambre y sed de justicia”?
• Como líderes de programas de formación teológica ¿qué revisiones debemos realizar a un currículo teológico que generalmente promueve una separación entre fe y justicia, salvación y vida humana plena, iglesia y mundo?
• Como discípulos y discípulas de Jesús ¿cómo podemos demostrar nuestro amor y solidaridad con quienes lloran, tienen hambre y sufren injusticia entre nosotros? ¿Cómo llenar los medios de comunicación social con mensajes de paz y no de violencia, de amor y no de odio, de igualdad y no de discriminación? ¿A qué organizaciones y movimientos debemos unirnos en su lucha por cambiar leyes y estructuras institucionales que mantienen políticas y prácticas racistas en detrimento del bienestar integral de las comunidades negras e hispanas-latinas?
El profeta Miqueas nos recuerda lo que el Señor requiere de su pueblo: Solamente hacer justicia, amar misericordia y caminar humildemente con tu Dios. (Miqueas 6.8). El apóstol Pablo nos recuerda que la fe verdadera en Jesucristo es la fe que actúa por medio del amor. (Gálatas 5.6). ¿A qué nos llama el Espíritu de Dios y el mensaje de Jesucristo hoy? A hacer justicia y a actuar movidos por el amor.
A nombre de la Junta Directiva,
Dr. Fernando A. Cascante
Director Ejecutivo.
What does the Spirit of God and the message of Jesus Christ call us to in these days of social conflict? (June 12, 2020)
For those of us who serve and are part of AETH, the changes and conflicts that occur in the world challenge us to discern how to act in their midst, moved by the Spirit of God and guided by the message of faith and hope of Jesus. Following Jesus implies following his call to work in the creation of the future that God has always desired for every human being and for all creation: fullness of life characterized by justice, love, joy and peace, central values of God's Kingdom.
In recent days we have witnessed, once again, the effects of a pandemic that has been with us almost since the founding of this country: the pandemic of racism. The acts of racial injustice, manifested in the recent and unjustifiable death of George Floyd remind us of one of the many forms of racial discrimination that continue to be rooted in the institutions that dominate political, social and, yes, also religious life in our society. The indifferent and violent response by government leaders to the suffering and pain of human groups crying out for racial justice are opposed to the central message of Jesus Christ to "seek first the kingdom of God and his justice" (Mt. 6.33).
All this calls us both to prayer and to action. That is why we must ask ourselves: what is the Spirit of God moving us in the midst of these social changes and conflicts, which have at their root a spiritual crisis?
•As fathers and mothers, what conversations should we have with our sons and daughters in our home about the sin of racism and the good news that God created only one race, the human race, which he loves equally?
• As church leaders, what examples of pain and what acts of solidarity should we give to the new generations of young people who are willing to protest peacefully out of an urgency for justice and a social conscience that they do not find in their congregations?
•As ministers of the Word, what should be the biblical and theological themes today that nourish our preaching and teaching in the church before a society that “is hungry and thirsty for justice”?
•As leaders of theological formation programs, what revisions should we make to a theological curriculum that generally promotes a separation between faith and justice, salvation and full human life, church and world?
•As disciples of Jesus, how can we demonstrate our love and solidarity with those who cry, are hungry and suffer injustice among us? How to fill the media with messages of peace and not of violence, of love and not of hate, of equality and not of discrimination? What organizations and movements should we join in their fight to change laws and institutional structures that maintain racist policies and practices to the detriment of the whole well-being of Black and Hispanic-Latino communities?
The prophet Micah reminds us of what the Lord requires of his people: Only to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6.8). The apostle Paul reminds us that true faith in Jesus Christ is faith that works through love. (Galatians 5.6). To what does the Spirit of God and the message of Jesus Christ call us today? To do justice and to act moved by love.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Dr. Fernando A. Cascante
Executive Director
We are proud to announce that Luz Zenaida Ortiz, a member of the AETH team, received the Dulos Award, in recognition of her dedication to excellence and for modeling Jesus in everything she does.
The Asbury Theological Seminary, Latino Formation Ministry Program, member and collaborator of AETH, honored Mrs. Ortiz in a virtual award ceremony.
Luz has been a student of the program for the last years and has shown a great commitment balancing her studies, family, work at AETH and her local church.
This is a well-deserved award.
Congratulations!
The ReDET team is ready to launch its official site on Friday, May 8. For six months a group of professionals has been designing, producing, and preparing all the content that ReDET will offer to its members.
ReDET has become a fundamental part of AETH (Association for Hispanic Theological Education), as a community of individuals and entities created for mutual support, collaboration, and the solution for common obstacles in theological education.
This website will provide us with a space to develop communities of practice among all those leaders and students of theological studies who wish to share experiences and challenges in their studies
Please visit us starting Friday, May 8 at www.redet.us. You can also check out our social networks on Facebook.
Edward Fraijo Delgado Fernando A. Cascante
Presidente Junta Directiva Director Ejecutivo
ENGLISH VERSION
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121: 1-2 (RSV)
However, from their homes, the staff continues to work to give continuity to all
services and programs that AETH performs for its members and the leadership of the Hispanic-Latino church. In advance, we appreciate your understanding during this period of adjustments in which we are learning to do new things during these difficult days.
2020 Biennial Assembly which, as previously announced, will now be held in a virtual format. The Assembly will take place during the first week of August, according to the decision made by the Board of Directors at its meeting on March 31. In the coming weeks you will receive more information about it.
on topics related to the program of the Third Encuentro on Latino Theological Education (3ELET). As you know, it was postponed for June 3 to 5, 2021, in the same city, Grand Rapids, Michigan. In addition, the project of the Theological Entities Network (ReDET) will continue its development through the Communities of Practice that for months has been happening online.
(www.aeth.org), and other means of social communication, to accompany them, serve them, and hear from you. Incidentally, we have put together a list of varied resources with valuable information that can be useful for your churches and educational institutions in this period of "Social Isolation". To access it, click on the following button: LIST OF RESOURCES.
Office staff and the Board of Directors pray for each member and team of AETH,
asking the Lord to grant us wisdom and peace during these difficult times.
Let us join in prayer for families inside and outside our faith communities that have already been affected by the Coronavirus, and for us to take wise and solidarity actions in a time that requires that God's people be light and salt of the earth.
Chairman of the Board of Directors Executive Director
The present moment is a time of challenge for humanity. Taking this into consideration we wish to share various resources that we know will be a blessing to you.
The Congregational Resource Guide
NaLEC – National Latino Evangelical Coalition
https://nalec.org/covid19iglesialatinapdf/
Harbor Genesis Christian College
https://harborgenesiscc.org/index.php/espanol/covid-19-crisis-iglesias/