Latinos Hispanics Attracted by Same Values as Others

Latinas/Latinos and Hispanics are the largest minority group in the U.S., and in some places the majority. Some are attracted to Unitarian Universalism and have long been part of our congregations. More would come if we reached out to them.

"We have a prejudice if we think Latinos will never come because they're all Catholic," says the Rev. Ken Brown, Pacific Southwest District executive. "They come for the same reasons anyone comes, for openness and diversity, to support social issues they care about, and because they've rejected religious authoritarianism."

Two UU congregations, San Jose and Los Angeles, Calif., have Spanish-language services. That's important if you're near recent immigrants, says the Rev. Jose Ballester, interim minister at UUs of Palm Beach County, North Palm Beach, Fla. (221), but most congregations should start by welcoming middle-class Latino/as and Hispanics, most of whom speak English. "Get involved in the communities where they live and in the issues they care about," he said.

At First Unitarian Church, San Jose (292 members), a Sunday morning Spanish-language service has 65 members and friends and an attendance of 30, says the Rev. Lilia Cuervo, the extension minister who leads it.

The congregation is reassessing its Spanish-language ministry. Grants that made it possible are running out. "Its problems are mostly budgetary," says Cuervo. "Many lives have been transformed by this ministry. The program inspired both Latinos and non-Latinos to learn a second language. Latinos and Hispanics are starting to bring their more conservative family members. We've broken barriers of class and education. We have learned great lessons. We have learned that with love and care a ministry like this is possible."

First Unitarian, Los Angeles (55), has two services a month in Spanish. In May, after long association, the Msgr. Oscar A. Romero Spanish-Speaking Ministry became an official part of the church. An antiracism workshop led to the closer relationship, said L.A. interim minister Chester McCall. "It helped us to hear what Latino/as and Hispanics needed." The services attract 25--45 people.

The church has always helped Latino/as, Hispanics, and others with immigration, labor, and human rights issues. The Oscar Romero Ministry is working on a more formal plan for community involvement, said Juan Ramirios, an Oscar Romero leader. "When people have a problem we hope to help them through our experience, guided by the UU Principles."

The UU Fellowship of Hidalgo County, McAllen, Tex. (30), has a street sign in Spanish and English. All Souls Church, Unitarian, Washington, D.C., is in the early stages of developing a "Latino Initiative" outreach program.

The UUA's Office of Latina/o and Hispanic Concerns in the Identity-Based Ministries Staff Group is collecting data on UU Latina/os with a questionnaire on the Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries website. "The idea is to figure out where we are," said the Rev. Marta Valentin, interim program associate in the Latina/o and Hispanic office. "There are congregations with one or two Latina/os and Hispanics. and others like Los Angeles and San Jose."

RESOURCES

For more resources, contact the Office of Latina/o and Hispanic Concerns at 617-948-6453.

La Fe Que Hemos Escogido (Our Chosen Faith) is available from the UUA Bookstore, #6201, $14.00. Also available are the pamphlets Nosotros Somos Unitarios Universalistas (We Are Unitarian Universalists), UUA Bookstore #3027 and Latino/Latina Spiritual Journeys, UUA Bookstore #3096. Both pamphlets are $7.00 per pack of 25.