| abstract | The United Methodist Church of Port St. Lucie, in its desire to reach out to the Hispanic community, had
merged with El Aposento Alto, a small Spanish speaking congregation that had been meeting on site for the last twelve years. The Florida Conference
of the UMC placed its backing behind this merger in order to plant within the community a multicultural and multiethnic Church that would mimic the
existing demographics of Port St. Lucie. Our challenge was to be intentional, to celebrate our differences, and to move towards a culture of
community building inspired by the Spirit of God. These challenges, or the lack of, are not new to the multiethnic, multicultural, and multiracial
congregations but those that have defined it throughout its history. We dreamed of allowing the Holy Spirit to direct us through these challenges
but we also knew that the resolve of the church in continuing its mission to the world would once again be tested. We knew that our response to
these new challenges would fail unless it was one that depended on God, was corporate, and rooted in faith and experience. For this project,
the LAC and I developed a group of activities that we hoped would bring the Churches and pastoral staff closer together. These activities included
an evangelistic event inviting the Bishop of Cuba, Ricardo Pereira, to be our guest speaker; a joint luncheon, a joint preaching schedule for lent,
and a joint mission trip to Cuba. It was during these activities that we discovered the voice of God speaking through us and in us. We heard the
Holy Spirit nudge us forward toward a better future that would give testimony to the world about a united, holy, catholic, and apostolic church
living out its calling. |
