A Total Immersion Spanish language course is scheduled for February 25-27 at the Duncan M. Gray Episcopal Camp and Conference Center, near Canton, Mississippi. The workshop is presented for the third consecutive year by the Diocese of Mississippi, and for the first time Province IV Hispanic Ministries.
This intensive course in the Spanish language is the vision of the Rev. Canon Yamily Bass-Choate, canon for Hispanic Ministries of the Diocese of Mississippi and coordinator for Hispanic Ministries in Province IV.
Bass-Choate said that this workshop is part of her ministry to open the doors to increasing cross-cultural communication. She also organizes a mobile vacation Bible school, called DeColores, for the Diocese of Mississippi. DeColores is for congregations that desire a summer ministry for children but don't have volunteers or resources. Churches that participate are encouraged to spread the word making sure that children from all cultures are included.
Bass-Choate said that teaching language is an experience of “bridging gaps and breaking down barriers" that emphasizes the presence of Christ in all people.
According to Bass-Choate, research and statistics state that in order for churches to continue to grow over the next 50 years, they must embrace the Spanish speaking community. She said the U.S. Census Bureau proves that Spanish is "really not a foreign language in the U. S. anymore."
The Total Immersion Spanish workshop will be led by licensed instructors in the Command Method, which eliminates much of the grammar instruction found in most language programs. Beginners will learn basic phrases and words while more advanced participants will boost their confidence in speaking the language.
"We give them the key to unlock the language, and the whole weekend is spoken in Spanish," explained Bass-Choate. "A contract is signed in the beginning so there is no English spoken."
Nonetheless, she said previous workshops have taught them that the availability of a respite from the experience is necessary. This year's participants will have the option of dining at an all English, Spanish or English/Spanish speaking table.
Bass-Choate said Total Immersion Spanish workshop has been extremely valuable to dentist, clergy, lawyers, nurses, doctors, and other health professionals and support personnel who interact with the Latin American population.
For more information or registration visit http://www.dioms.org/ or call 601-969-9461.
Seminary of the Southwest sets Latino Ministry course for June 20-24
AUSTIN, TEXAS –The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest (ETSS) will host, for the second consecutive year, Province VII’s Center for Hispanic Ministries course June 20-24.
Since 1980, the Center for Hispanic Ministries has advocated for and supported ministry and evangelism to Latinos and is the only such provincial resource in the Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Jaime Case, executive director of the Center for Hispanic Ministries and a 1994 graduate of ETSS, will teach the course designed for lay and ordained persons preparing for mission to Latinos living in the United States. It does not require proficiency in the Spanish language since instruction will be in English and is identical to an elective class that he teaches to seminary students.
Participants will cover the Latino/Hispanic experience in the U.S., popular religious traditions, the church year celebrations, pastoral care, and Christian education. Topics such as cultural engagement, the importance of Hispanic Episcopal mission, traditions of funding, demographics, and values, authority and culture will also be explored.
Cost of the week – including housing and food on campus – is $600. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due by May 1. The class is a two credit hour equivalent course. For more information, visit www.etss.edu/HispanicJuneCourse.shtml email jaime_case@sbcglobal.net or call 512-477-2644.
Note: The following title is available from the Episcopal Book/Resource Center, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017; 800-334-7626; http://www.episcopalbookstore.org/
To Read: NUEVO DICCIONARIO ILUSTRADO DE LA BIBLIA by Wilton M. Nelson (Nashville, Tennessee: Editorial Caribe Publishers, 1998; 1210 pages; $39.99.)
From the publisher: "Ahora completamente revisado y enriquecido, impreso a todo color y con índice, el Nuevo Diccionario Ilustrado del la Biblia pone en sus manos un verdadero tesoro de information actualizada y confiable. Diseñado, escrito y editado con las neccesidades del lector promedio en mente, este complete diccionario bíblico contiene cerca de 7,000 artículos sobre personas, lugares, objetos y doctrinas de la Biblia. Los cristianos que deseen sacarle buen provecho a su studio de la Biblia, los maestros de Escuela Dominical y estudios bíblicos que anden en busca de material para prepararse major, y culaquiera que desee entender bien la Palabra de Dios y el marco histórico de la Biblia hallarán en este diccionario lo que andaban buscando.
El Finado Dr. Wilton M. Nelson cursó estudios teológicos en Dallas, Texas, y obtuvo una licenciatura en teología del Seminario Bautista de Louisville, Kentucky, y un doctorado en teología del Seminario de Princeton, New Jersey.
