Noticias
News
El Seminario Teológico Wesley y la red de educación teológica hispana forjan una asociación para servir a las iglesias y líderes hispanos
Contacto: Sheila George - [email protected]
10 de enero de 2022
WASHINGTON, DC y ORLANDO, Florida — La Asociación Para La Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH - The Association for Hispanic Theological Education) and Wesley Theological Seminary han firmado un memorando de entendimiento para desarrollar nuevas iniciativas y ampliar las oportunidades de educación teológica en las comunidades hispano-latinas.
La coparticipación se basa en el entendimiento de que el crecimiento de las comunidades hispano-latinas y su necesidad de líderes ministeriales equipados requiere colaboraciones creativas y un mayor acceso a la educación teológica. El MOU tiene dos propósitos principales: crear vías para que los estudiantes de los institutos bíblicos certificados por AETH y otros líderes latinos obtengan títulos de maestría en Wesley, y aumentar la cooperación y las oportunidades de aprendizaje entre la facultad, el personal y los estudiantes en Wesley y en institutos bíblicos.
“AETH se complace en asociarse con Wesley Seminary con enfoque a un futuro de colaboración que hará posible una mayor fecundidad en la educación teológica”, dijo la Rda. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Ph.D., Directora Ejecutiva de AETH. “Esta es una oportunidad para aprender unos de otros mientras caminamos juntos: el tipo de aprendizaje que, con suerte, generará nuevos marcos de inclusión y definiciones de educación teológica de calidad para una iglesia que realmente puede generar cambios en las comunidades donde sirven.”
El acuerdo significa un próximo paso en una creciente colaboración entre Wesley y AETH.
“Wesley está complacido de firmar este acuerdo con nuestros colegas de la Asociación Para La Educación Teológica Hispana”, dice el Decano Académico Phil Wingeier-Rayo, Ph.D. “En 2018, Wesley organizó la serie de conferencias Justo y Catherine Gonzalez en nuestro campus, y nuestra relación con AETH continúa profundizándose. Esta asociación permitirá a Wesley expandir nuestra red con líderes de la iglesia hispano-latinos y dar la bienvenida a más estudiantes latinos a estudiar una maestría en línea con nuestra misión de 'equipar a las personas para el ministerio cristiano y el liderazgo en la iglesia y el mundo'".
Como parte de la colaboración, Wesley y AETH buscarán desarrollar nuevos programas y actividades de colaboración, compartir recursos, fortalecer los institutos bíblicos y los caminos hacia la educación teológica de nivel de posgrado, buscar subvenciones conjuntas y oportunidades de recaudación de fondos, y construir relaciones entre las diversas comunidades atendidas por AETH y por Wesley.
Acerca de AETH
Desde 1992, la Asociación para la Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH) ha reunido una red de líderes e instituciones teológicas hispano-latinas que sirven en los Estados Unidos, Canadá, Puerto Rico y, más recientemente, en América Latina y el Caribe. La misión de AETH es promover la educación teológica de excelencia y pertinente de los líderes hispano-latinos en su servicio a la iglesia y al mundo.
AETH es una organización educativa sin fines de lucro dedicada a la promoción y mejora de la educación teológica y su impacto en la vida de las personas, iglesias y comunidades. Es una red de organizaciones y líderes que comparten la pasión por promover la educación teológica en su gran sistema ecológico que incluye programas educativos en congregaciones, denominaciones o agencias eclesiásticas, institutos bíblicos, seminarios y programas teológicos en colegios y universidades.
Para más información sobre AETH, véase: AETH.
Acerca de Wesley Theological Seminary
Ubicado en la capital de la nación y centrado en la tradición cristiana, el Wesley Theological Seminary y sus centros de excelencia– el Centro Lewis para el Liderazgo de la Iglesia, el Centro Henry Luce III para la Religión y las Artes, el Instituto de Participación Comunitaria y el Centro de Teología Pública̶–equipa a maestros, predicadores y líderes ejemplares para que sean voces proféticas en la iglesia y el mundo. Para obtener más información sobre el Seminario Teológico Wesley, véase: www.wesleyseminary.edu.
Wesley Theological Seminary and Hispanic theological education network forge partnership to serve Hispanic churches and leaders
Contact: Sheila George - [email protected]
January 10, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC and ORLANDO, Florida — La Asociación Para La Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH - The Association for Hispanic Theological Education) and Wesley Theological Seminary have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop new initiatives and expand theological education opportunities in Hispanic-Latino/a communities.
The partnership is grounded in the understanding that the growth of Hispanic-Latino/a communities and their need for equipped ministry leaders requires creative collaborations and expanded access to theological education. The MOU has two main purposes: to create pathways for students at AETH-certified Bible institutes and other Latinx leaders to pursue master’s-level degrees at Wesley, and to increase cooperation and opportunities for learning among faculty, staff, and students at Wesley and at Bible institutes.
“AETH is glad to be partnering with Wesley Seminary towards a future of collaboration that will make possible greater fruitfulness in theological education,” said the Rev. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Ph.D., Executive Director of AETH. “This is an opportunity to learn from one another as we walk together – the type of learning that will hopefully bring about new frameworks of inclusion and definitions of quality theological education for a church that can truly bring about changes in the communities where they serve.”
The agreement signifies a next step in a growing collaboration between Wesley and AETH.
“Wesley is delighted to sign this agreement with our colleagues at the Asociación Para La Educación Teológica Hispana,” says Academic Dean Phil Wingeier-Rayo, Ph.D. “In 2018, Wesley hosted the Justo and Catherine Gonzalez Lecture Series on our campus, and our relationship with AETH continues to deepen. This partnership will allow Wesley to expand our network with Hispanic-Latino/a church leaders and welcome more Latinx students to study a master’s degree in line with our mission ‘to equip persons for Christian ministry and leadership in the church and the world.’”
As part of the collaboration, Wesley and AETH will seek to develop new collaborative programs and activities, share resources, strengthen Bible institutes and pathways to graduate-level theological education, pursue joint grant and fundraising opportunities, and build relationships among the diverse communities served by AETH and by Wesley.
About AETH
Since 1992, The Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH) has brought together a network of Hispanic-Latino/a leaders and theological institutions serving in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and, more recently, in Latin America and the Caribbean. AETH’s mission is to promote the excellent and pertinent theological education of Hispanic-Latino/a leaders in their service to the church and the world.
AETH is an educational non-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and improvement of theological education and its impact on the lives of people, churches, and communities. It is a network of organizations and leaders who share a passion for promoting theological education in its greater ecological system that includes educational programs in congregations, denominations or church agencies, Biblical institutes, seminaries, and theological programs in colleges and universities.
Learn more here: AETH
About Wesley Theological Seminary
Seated in the nation’s capital and centered in the Christian tradition, Wesley Theological Seminary and its centers of excellence – The Lewis Center for Church Leadership, The Henry Luce III Center for Religion and the Arts, the Community Engagement Institute and the Center for Public Theology - equip exemplary teachers, preachers and leaders to be prophetic voices in the church and the world. For more information about Wesley Theological Seminary: www.wesleyseminary.edu.
Queremos saludarles y desearles felicidades en la celebración de la Navidad y el Año Nuevo. Observando las celebraciones de la temporada, la oficina de AETH estará cerrada del 24 al 31 de diciembre de 2021. Nuestra oficina reabre el 3 de enero de 2022. Les invitamos a visitar nuestra página en www.aeth.org y en Facebook para mantenerse informados.
De igual manera deseamos recordarles que queda tiempo para aportar al servicio que AETH presta a nuestras comunidades hispanas promoviendo educación teológica relevante y de calidad. Puedes hacer tu regalo (donación) de fin de año a AETH haciendo click aquí: Contribución
We want to greet you and wish you the best for these Christmas and New Year's celebrations. In observance of the season's festivities, the AETH office will be closed from the 24th to the 31st of December, 2021. Our office will reopen on January 3rd, 2022. We invite you to visit our web page at www.aeth.org and in Facebook for additional information.
Also, we want to remind you that there is still time to contribute to the service that AETH provides to the church and the Hispanic community by promoting theological education that is relevant and of quality. You can make your year-end gift (donation) to AETH by clicking here: Contribution
Por espacio de siglos, el pasaje que ha ocupado la atención de los cristianos en esta tercera semana de Adviento se encuentra en Filipenses 2:4: “Regocijaos en el Señor siempre. Otra vez os digo: ¡Regocijaos! […] El Señor está cerca.”
Cuando esas palabras fueron escritas, había sobradas razones para vivir en temor. Los cristianos estaban siendo echados de las sinagogas. La sociedad y el gobierno los miraban con mala cara. Pronto estallarían las persecuciones. Y, todavía peor, las gentes temían las “huestes espirituales de maldad” que andaban por el aire.
Pero en medio de esos peligros y terrores, Pablo les dice a los filipenses, no que no haya nada que temer, sino más bien que hasta en los peligros más terribles se han de regocijar: “Regocijaos en el Señor siempre”. No se trata, sin embargo, de cualquier regocijo, ni del regocijo de quien celebra una fiesta con mucho bullicio, como para ahogar el recuerdo de los peligros que acechan. Se trata más bien del regocijo de quien sabe que “el Señor está cerca”.
Hoy nos hacemos la ilusión de que hemos vencido aquellos temores de antaño. Pero la verdad es otra. Quizá hoy no pensemos mucho en las “malicias espirituales en los aires”. Pero sí tememos esos virus que andan volando por el aire, esos malos consejos que andan por los aires de las redes sociales, esas mentiras acerca del virus, acerca de personas, acerca de elecciones, acerca de productos… En verdad, tenemos muchas razones para temer.
En medio de todo eso, y frente a toda malicia en los aires, Pablo nos dice: “Otra vez os digo: ¡Regocijaos!” ¿Por qué? ¡Porque el Señor está cerca! Más todavía: el temor no es causa para para no regocijarse, pues la base del verdadero regocijo es saber que lo que tememos no tiene la última palabra. Quizás hasta podríamos decir que solo puede regocijarse – verdadera y absolutamente regocijarse – quien sabe que tiene mucho que temer…
¡El Señor está cerca! Ese es el mensaje de Adviento. Pronto, como aquellos pastores que guardaban sus ovejas en la noche, oiremos las palabras del ángel: “No temáis, ¡porque os traigo nuevas de gran gozo!” Y entonces, por encima del bullicio de las fiestas, y por encima de los terrores de la pandemia, escucharemos y nos uniremos al canto eterno: “¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas, y en la tierra paz y buena voluntad!”
Justo L. González
For centuries, the passage that has occupied the attention of Christians in this third week of Advent is found in Philippians 2: 4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say to you: Rejoice! […] The Lord is near. "
When those words were written, there was every reason to live in fear. Christians were being kicked out of the synagogues. The society and the government looked at them with disfavor. Soon persecutions would break out. And, worse still, the people feared the "spiritual hosts of evil" that were in the air.
It is not, however, just any rejoicing, nor the rejoicing of someone who celebrates a party with a lot of noise, as if to drown out the memory of the dangers that lie in wait. It is more about the rejoicing of those who know that "the Lord is near."
But in the midst of those dangers and terrors, Paul tells the Philippians, not that there is nothing to fear, but rather that even in the most dire dangers they are to rejoice: "Rejoice in the Lord always."
Today we have the illusion that we have overcome those fears of yesteryear. But the truth is otherwise. Perhaps today we do not think much about "spiritual malice in the air." But we do fear those viruses that are flying through the air, those bad advice that are in the air on social networks, those lies about the virus, about people, about elections, about products ... In truth, we have many reasons to fear.
In the midst of all this, and in the face of all malice in the air, Paul tells us: "Again I tell you: rejoice!" Why? Because the Lord is near!
Furthermore, fear is not a cause for not rejoicing, for the basis of true rejoicing is knowing that what we fear does not have the last word. Perhaps we could even say that he can only rejoice - truly and absolutely rejoice - who knows that he has much to fear ...
The Lord is near! That is the Advent message. Soon, like those shepherds who guarded their sheep at night, we will hear the words of the angel: "Do not fear, for I bring you news of great joy!" And then, above the bustle of the holidays, and above the terrors of the pandemic, we will listen and join in the eternal song: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will!"
Justo L. González
The people of Israel had known the presence and guidance of God by the fiery pillar and cloud. Then they settled in the Promised Land and there was need for a new way for them to be assured of God’s presence in their midst. So, God told King Solomon to build the Temple, and in the prayer of dedication Solomon speaks of this new form. In II Kings 8:27, after a long introduction, Solomon prays: “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! Regard your servant’s prayer . . . that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, “My name shall be there.” The Temple represented a place where the people could be assured of God’s presence---at least where God’s ear would be open to the faithful.
But Solomon’s question: “Will God indeed dwell on the earth?” receives a very different answer many centuries later. The time arrived that Isaiah had foretold, that there would be born a child called “Emmanuel.” Now in this season of Advent we await the celebration of that birth. God indeed dwelt on earth---as one of us, though still the God whom even the Temple could not contain. The cloud and pillar, the Temple are the earlier forms of the same nearness of God that reaches a new height in the full incarnation of God the Son in the child Jesus of Bethlehem!
What we are preparing to celebrate this Christmas is this unimaginable presence of God in our midst: the man Jesus of Nazareth who taught and acted the great Gospel of God’s presence with us and love for us; whose incarnate life continued after the cross as the risen Christ, to whom the Holy Spirit joins us in the community of faith. But that is not the end of the story. What we are promised is a final new form of God’s presence in our midst. In Revelation 21.3; 22 we see a future that the prophets also glimpsed: “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God, they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them. . . I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the almighty and the Lamb.”
As we use this Advent season to prepare ourselves for Christmas, let us remember that in our pilgrimage we are part of a centuries---even millennia---long history of God’s longing for a loving relationship with God’s people for the sake of the whole creation. This is a time to look back on that history and also to look forward to its promised glorious future.
Catherine Gunsalus González
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier selected as AETH new Director
The Board of Directors of the AETH announces with great joy that Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier will be the new Director of AETH. Dr. Conde-Frazier has been associated with the AETH since its inception and has served in various capacities over the years. At present she works as the Coordinator of Relations with Theological Entities. Her deep identification with the mission of the AETH, her broad knowledge of the organization and internal work, her contributions to the creation of new programs, and her profile as a recognized leader in the world of theological education in general, are some of the qualities that made her the ideal candidate in the search and selection process.
The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier is a practical theologian. She is an ordained pastor of the American Baptist Churches with over ten years of pastoral experience. She was the founder of the Orlando E. Costas Hispanic and Latin American Ministries Program at Andover Newton Theological School, served as Associate Professor in Religious Education at Claremont School of Theology, and as Academic Dean and Vice President of Education at Esperanza College of Eastern University.
Some of her publications are Latina Evangelicals: A Theological Survey from the Margins, A Many Colored Kingdom, Hispanic Biblical Institutes, Listening to the Children: Conversations with Immigrant Families, Atando Cabos: Latinx Contributions to Theological Education and numerous chapters on practical theology, scholarly spirituality, and religious education. Dr. Conde-Frazier has a Ph.D. from Boston College, an M.Div. from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a B.A. from Brooklyn College, City University of New York.
The Board of Directors has the conviction and hope that Dr. Conde-Frazier will contribute in a significant way to the continuity of the mission and to the transformation of the work of AETH in favor of Latino ministries and Latino theological education. We invite you to send her a note of congratulations and support by writing to the following address: [email protected]
Christmas is a time of surprises. Those who are younger wonder: "What will be in that nice package under the tree, with my name on it?" The older ones ask ourselves: “What will Tía Lola think about the gift we bought her?
Finally the expected day arrives, we open the gifts,… and the next day it is time to collect and clean the house, to take care of other matters. How can it surprise us then that these Christmas times are also for many times of depression, anguish, and even suicide?
The truth is that the bustle of commerce, with its bells, lights and announcements of new toys, hides the real surprise of Christmas - and even confuses the times. Christmas does not end on December 25, it begins.
The Christmas surprise is not in that package under the tree, which piques my curiosity. The surprise is rather that in this world where there are many inventions, but everything seems to always be the same, God comes and comes again unexpectedly. The surprise is in being able to see God in a defenseless child. And the surprise does not end today, nor does it end with the end of the Christmas season on January 6. The surprise is in a God who is able to unite with our condition in such a way that he can walk, cry, die, rise again, ascend… And that he does it, not for his own benefit, but for ours! A God who walks our dusty roads, cleansing the excluded leper, praising the despised widow, criticizing the corrupt politicians! A God who cries our tears, who suffers our pain, who cries for Jerusalem, and for Washington, and for Moscow, and for Buenos Aires…! A God who dies and rises to kill death - to kill, not his, but ours! A human God whose victory is such that humanity itself is seated at the right hand of the throne of God! A God whose surprises do not end at Christmas, but repeatedly occur in our paths, in our great decisions and in our daily walk!
Will we see those surprises? Or will we be like the rich and spoiled child, whom no gift can surprise anymore?
Justo L. González, Nov. 28, 2021
El martes 16 de noviembre, la Junta directiva organizó una ceremonia de reconocimiento y despedida al Dr. Fernando A. Cascante por sus 11 años de servicio como Director Ejecutivo de la AETH. En esta sencilla y significativa ceremonia participaron líderes de la AETH y otras organizaciones que expresaron su sentido de admiración y agradecimiento por la persona, el trabajo, la amistad, y el liderazgo de Fernando. Fue un gran momento de celebración comunitaria que inspiró a todos los presentes.
Esperamos que le envíen un mensaje a Fernando a su nueva dirección electrónica: [email protected].
Gracia y paz,
Luis R. Rivera, Th.D.
Presidente interino
Junta de Directores
On Tuesday, November 16, the Board of Directors organized a ceremony of recognition and farewell to Dr. Fernando A. Cascante for his 11 years of service as Executive Director of the AETH. Leaders from the AETH and other organizations participated in this simple and meaningful ceremony, expressing their sense of admiration and gratitude for Fernando's person, work, friendship, and leadership. It was a great moment of community celebration that inspired everyone present.
We hope that you send a message to Fernando at his new email address: [email protected].
Grace and peace
Luis R. Rivera, Th.D.
Acting President
Board of Directors
We are approaching the season of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany when we celebrate with renewed expectation what is part of our experience and faith. We announce the good news of God's companionship, grace, and provision for humanity and the rest of creation that was revealed, in a special way, in the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and in the outpouring , anointing and deed of the Holy Spirit.
The gospels announce the grace of God through Jesus Christ to all humanity and creation with distinctive and complementary accents. Like distinctive voices in a choir, they sing the melody of a polyphonic gospel that announces the fulfillment of a prophecy (Mark), the fulfillment of a promise (Matthew, Luke), and an incarnate and salutary visitation (John). Our carols, hymns and Latin and Latin American songs join this symphony that in heaven and earth announces the gift of God's grace and love.
We appreciate the constant support in prayers, participation, and donations that you have given us during this year. We ask that you continue to support the mission and ministry of AETH by taking three actions: first, by renewing your membership; second, buying or giving away some books from the AETH bookstore; and third, by making a generous donation in your name or in memory of a loved one. Please visit our website to make your "gifts" in the best tradition of the wise men of the East. Each of these actions will help us meet our mission budget and avoid a financial shortfall.
The Board of Directors wishes you a happy and blessed season of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. May this season be one of spiritual renewal, family unity, and affective and effective service for all those who seek and work for peace (Shalom).
Luis R. Rivera, interim president
Karen Figueroa, interim vice-president
Eliezer Álvarez, secretary
Elga Comellas, treasurer
Paul Barton, Lucila Crena, Jeffrey Caballero, Oscar Merlo, Peter Ríos, members at large
Justo L. González, honorary member
Esteemed members:
AETH Board of Directors wants to inform that we are conducting a process to hire an interim Executive Director. We hope to announce the name of this leader by December 2021.
We also want to express our gratitude to all those who were present in the farewell ceremony honoring Dr. Fernando A. Cascante on November 16. It was a meaningful gathering of leaders and members who acknowledged and celebrated Dr. Cascante’s contributions and impact as Executive Director for the last 11 years.
The Board requests your prayers and financial support to the mission of AETH during this thirtieth anniversary (2021-2022). We ask that you renew your membership and send your contributions through the AETH webpage at www.aeth.org.
Please, communicate your questions, recommendations or concerns to Marta Luna, Executive Director Assistant, by writing to [email protected] or leaving a voice message at 407-482-7598.
Grace and peace,
Luis R. Rivera, Th.D.
Interim President
AETH Board of Directors
