{"id":444,"date":"2023-09-26T15:05:32","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T21:05:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/elcaracialjustice\/?p=444"},"modified":"2023-09-26T15:05:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T21:05:32","slug":"a-conversation-with-rev-alejandro-mejia-in-celebration-of-hispanic-heritage-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/elcaracialjustice\/a-conversation-with-rev-alejandro-mejia-in-celebration-of-hispanic-heritage-month\/","title":{"rendered":"A Conversation with Rev. Alejandro Mejia: In Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. You can find the original post here.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre estamos hablando con luteranos de ascendencia latin\u00e9 para amplificar las voces de nuestros hermanos en Cristo. Hoy estamos hablando con Rev. Alejandro Mej\u00eda, director de la misi\u00f3n evang\u00e9lica del S\u00ednodo de Delaware-Maryland.<\/p>\n

Las respuestas han sido editadas para su publicaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

\u00bfC\u00f3mo est\u00e1 usted conectado a la ELCA?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nac\u00ed y crec\u00ed en Colombia, Am\u00e9rica del Sur. Mi familia siempre ha pertenecido a la iglesia luterana. Recuerdo estar presente en conversaciones en las que se mencionaba el nombre \u201cELCA\u201d. Cuando me hice m\u00e1s activo en la iglesia, aprend\u00ed sobre los fuertes lazos que hay entre la Iglesia Evang\u00e9lica Luterana de Colombia y la ELCA. Recuerdo haber visto o escuchado de l\u00edderes como Mary Campbell, Rafael Malpica Padilla, por mencionar a algunos que son conocidos y que todav\u00eda est\u00e1n entre nosotros. Tiempo despu\u00e9s, cuando ya serv\u00eda a una congregaci\u00f3n, me lleg\u00f3 una invitaci\u00f3n del S\u00ednodo de Carolina del Sur de la ELCA en los Estados Unidos para servir como desarrollador de misiones entre la creciente comunidad latina.<\/p>\n

Todo eso es para decir que la ELCA siempre fue parte de mi jornada de fe, gracias a su asociaci\u00f3n con la iglesia en Colombia. Por supuesto que nuestra conexi\u00f3n se ha vuelto directa y m\u00e1s fuerte desde que me mud\u00e9 a este pa\u00eds.<\/p>\n

\u00bfC\u00f3mo cree que la ELCA puede amplificar mejor las voces latin\u00e9s?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Creo que, juntando las caras con las historias, explicando los puntos fuertes de nuestra gente. Debemos fomentar atenci\u00f3n y empat\u00eda en nuestra iglesia hacia las necesidades y realidades de nuestros hermanos latin\u00e9s, pero tambi\u00e9n es necesario que publiquemos historias sobre las habilidades, los puntos fuertes, el poder que existe entre nuestra gente. Somos luchadores; nunca nos echamos para atr\u00e1s. Eso es algo que hay que mencionar. Por supuesto, a\u00fan hay tantas necesidades por satisfacer. Sin embargo, hay tanto que podemos ofrecer para hacer m\u00e1s fuerte a nuestra denominaci\u00f3n. As\u00ed como contribuimos a la grandeza de este pa\u00eds, tambi\u00e9n podemos hacerlo en nuestra denominaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

\u00bfEn qu\u00e9 formas puede la ELCA ser m\u00e1s inclusiva de la comunidad latin\u00e9?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Es importante abrir espacios en la mesa de toma de decisiones donde se sientan los poderosos. Pero no se trata de traer a una persona latin\u00e9 porque existe la necesidad de cierta diversidad. Se trata de traer suficientes personas de una comunidad en particular, en este caso la comunidad latin\u00e9, para que haya una voz m\u00e1s fuerte y asertiva. Para una persona de color es intimidante estar en la mesa con probablemente otras dos o tres, pero en la que todav\u00eda somos una minor\u00eda.<\/p>\n

Tambi\u00e9n es importante tener presente que Am\u00e9rica Latina est\u00e1 formada por varios pa\u00edses, cada uno con tantas culturas diferentes que nos hacen \u00fanicos. Los l\u00edderes de nuestra iglesia deben confiar en nosotros, escucharnos, y aprender con nosotros y de nosotros. Podemos prosperar si lo hacemos juntos.<\/p>\n

Es esencial ser conscientes de nuestra presencia proporcionando formas en las que podemos sentir que pertenecemos. No porque necesitemos ayuda, sino como iguales. Un ejemplo de ese enfoque podr\u00eda ser ofrecer interpretaci\u00f3n simult\u00e1nea al espa\u00f1ol en reuniones como la asamblea de toda la iglesia, entre otros espacios importantes para nuestra vida como iglesia; poniendo a disposici\u00f3n material de adoraci\u00f3n, de formaci\u00f3n en la fe \u2014por mencionar unos cuantos\u2014 en espa\u00f1ol, escrito por l\u00edderes latin\u00e9s.<\/p>\n

Necesitamos m\u00e1s y m\u00e1s l\u00edderes latin\u00e9s listos para servir; por lo tanto, debemos crear formas de capacitar y equipar a las personas de nuestras comunidades facilitando el acceso a la educaci\u00f3n. Y no solo seminarios; hay otras profesiones que se necesitan dentro de nuestra iglesia que pueden funcionar por el bien de nuestra comunidad latin\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Hay muchas oportunidades y maneras que nuestra iglesia podr\u00eda implementar para poner en pr\u00e1ctica el hecho de que todos son bienvenidos, con el fin de que podamos sentir en nuestros cuerpos que, en efecto, somos vistos y apreciados.<\/p>\n

\u00bfC\u00f3mo ve a la comunidad latin\u00e9 representada en su s\u00ednodo e iglesias locales?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Soy muy afortunado de trabajar con el obispo William Gohl. \u00c9l me ha dado la oportunidad de ocupar una posici\u00f3n de liderazgo dentro de nuestro s\u00ednodo. Me encantar\u00eda ver que esto sucediera en otros s\u00ednodos. Me encantar\u00eda ver a m\u00e1s ministros latin\u00e9s en la lista como pastores principales o como di\u00e1conos a cargo de programas s\u00f3lidos dentro de congregaciones y s\u00ednodos. Directores juveniles, directores musicales.<\/p>\n

\u00bfQu\u00e9 le da esperanza?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hay comunidades y ministros en la lista que, a pesar de los retos (inequidad, falta de recursos, racismo), se despiertan cada ma\u00f1ana para trabajar duro y prosperar. Ellos y sus comunidades est\u00e1n marcando una gran diferencia en esta iglesia y esta naci\u00f3n. Tengo esperanza al ver a ni\u00f1os y j\u00f3venes diciendo que aman a la iglesia, y se identifican como cristianos luteranos.<\/p>\n

S\u00e9 de familias que se suben al autom\u00f3vil y conducen varias millas solo por la oportunidad de reunirse en torno a la palabra y el sacramento porque sienten que pertenecen. Madres que vienen con sus hijos porque necesitan ser nutridas por el amor de Dios hecho realidad a trav\u00e9s de la comunidad. Dios nos ha inspirado a seguir adelante, a nunca echar para atr\u00e1s, sino a levantarnos si caemos. Y nos levantamos m\u00e1s fuertes, porque no estamos solos.<\/p>\n

\u00bfPor qu\u00e9 cosas ora usted?<\/strong><\/p>\n

El fin de la mentalidad patriarcal, de supremac\u00eda blanca y despreciativa con la que muchos est\u00e1n acostumbrados a mirarnos. Oro por oportunidades para que nuestras nuevas generaciones sean quienes son, que promovamos el biling\u00fcismo, que fomentemos el aprendizaje de otros idiomas, que nuestras iglesias sean espacios seguros, no para asimilar la cultura dominante, sino para afirmar que la diversidad es uno de los dones m\u00e1s preciosos de Dios y la esencia de Dios.<\/p>\n

___________<\/p>\n

ENGLISH TRANSLATION<\/p>\n

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 we are speaking with Lutherans of Latin\u00e9 descent to amplify voices of our siblings in Christ. Today we are speaking with Rev. Alejandro Mejia, director for evangelical mission with the Delaware-Maryland Synod.<\/p>\n

Responses have been edited for publication.<\/p>\n

How are you connected to the ELCA?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was born and raised in Colombia, South America. My family has always belonged to the Lutheran church. I remember being present at conversations in which the name \u201cELCA\u201d would be mentioned. When I became more active in the church, I learned about the strong ties between the Iglesia Evangelica Luterana de Colombia and the ELCA. I remember seeing or hearing about leaders such as Mary Campbell, Rafael Malpica Padilla, just to mention some who are well-known and still among us. Later, when I was already serving a congregation, an invitation came from the ELCA South Carolina Synod in the United States to serve among the growing Latino community as a mission developer.<\/p>\n

All of that is to say, the ELCA was always part of my faith journey, thanks to its partnership with the church in Colombia. Of course, our connection has become direct and stronger since I moved to this country.<\/p>\n

How do you believe the ELCA can better amplify Latin<\/strong>\u00e9<\/strong>\u00a0voices?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I think putting faces and stories together, explaining the strengths that our people have. We need to promote mindfulness and empathy among our church toward the needs and realities of our Latin\u00e9 siblings, but we also need to put stories out there about the abilities, the strengths, the power that exists within our people. We are fighters; we never step back. That is something that has to be mentioned. Of course, there are so many needs still to be satisfied. However, there is so much that we can offer to make our denomination a stronger one. As we are contributing to the greatness of this country, we are also able to do it within our denomination.<\/p>\n

What are ways in which the ELCA can be more inclusive for the Latin<\/strong>\u00e9<\/strong>\u00a0community?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is important to open spaces at the decision-making table where the powerful sit. But it is not about bringing a Latin\u00e9 person because there is the need for some diversity. It is about bringing enough people from a particular community, in this case the Latin\u00e9 community, in order that there is a stronger and assertive voice. It is intimidating for one person of color being at the table with probably another two or three but where, still, we are a minority.<\/p>\n

It is also important to keep in mind that the Latino America is made of several countries, each having so many different cultures that make us unique. Leaders from our church need to trust us, listen, and learn with us and from us. We can thrive if we do it together.<\/p>\n

Being mindful of our presence by providing ways in which we can feel we belong is essential. Not because we need help, but as equals. One example of that approach could be offering simultaneous interpretation to Spanish at gatherings such as a churchwide assembly, among other important spaces for our life as a church; making available worship, faith formation material\u2014just to mention a few\u2014in Spanish, written by Latin\u00e9 leaders.<\/p>\n

We need more and more \u00a0Latin\u00e9 leaders ready to serve; therefore, we need to create ways to train and equip people from our communities by facilitating access to education. And not only seminaries\u2014there are other professions that are needed within our church that can work for the sake of our \u00a0Latin\u00e9 community.<\/p>\n

There are many opportunities and ways that our church could implement in order to put into practice the fact that all are welcome, so that we can feel in our bodies that we are indeed seen and appreciated.<\/p>\n

How do you see the Latin<\/strong>\u00e9<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0community represented in your synod\/local churches?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am so fortunate to work with Bishop William Gohl. He has given me the opportunity to occupy a position of leadership within our synod. I would love to see this happening in other synods. I would love to see more Latin\u00e9 rostered ministers as senior pastors or as deacons in charge of strong programs within congregations and synods. Youth directors, music directors.<\/p>\n

What gives you hope?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are communities and rostered ministers who, despite the challenges\u2014inequity, lack of resources, racism\u2014wake up every morning to work hard and thrive. They and their communities are making a huge difference in this church and nation. I have hope by seeing children and youth saying that they love the church, identifying as Christians Lutherans.<\/p>\n

I know about families who get in the car and drive several miles just for the opportunity to gather around word and sacrament because they feel they belong. Single mothers coming with their children because they need to be nurtured by God\u2019s love made real through community. God has inspired us to move forward, to never step back, but rather to rise if we fall. And we rise stronger, because we are not alone.<\/p>\n

What do you pray for?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The end of the patriarchal, white supremacist, patronizing mindset from where many are used to looking at us. I pray for opportunities for our new generations to be who they are, that we promote bilingualism, that we encourage learning other languages, that our churches are safe spaces not to assimilate the dominant culture but by affirming that diversity is one of God\u2019s most precious gifts and God\u2019s essence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The following is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. You can find the original post here. Para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre estamos hablando con luteranos de ascendencia latin\u00e9 para amplificar las voces de nuestros hermanos en Cristo. Hoy estamos hablando con Rev. Alejandro Mej\u00eda, director de […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":275,"featured_media":445,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17052,17054,17053],"tags":[17058,17055,17057,17056],"class_list":["post-444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crosspost","category-hispanic-heritage-month","category-latino-ministries","tag-crosspost","tag-hispanicheritagemonth","tag-interviews","tag-livinglutheran"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Conversation with Rev. 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