Rev. Ileana Rosario
Pastor
This has been a year of transitions and changes for me and my family. What began as a period of uncertainty, when my position as Director of Hispanic Latino Ministries was closed, ended in a wonderful blessing when I was relocated as pastor of Wesley Chapel UMC in Chuckatuck.
During the beginning of this conference year I worked hard creating awareness of the need for effective Latino Ministries and giving guidance to the efforts to develop new Latino ministries. I offered workshops and trainings to different groups in districts and local churches, including: Waynesboro, Amelia, Richmond, Stafford, Charlottesville, Winchester and Alexandria-Arlington Districts. As a consultant for the National Plan for Hispanic Latino Ministries, I participated in different trainings and workshops around the United States.
I was also elected to represent Virginia in the General Conference Commission, which has the responsibility to plan and organize the next General Conferences of the United Methodist Church. As a member of this Commission, I gave my expertise regarding the understanding of different cultures and suggested new ways to integrate the 'Internationals', or delegates that come from other nations. This was especially meaningfull to me as I understood how my gifts and talents could effectively help the wider church to grow in tolerance and diversity. We will meet again this month in Tampa, Florida and I am ready to serve in this capacity with the same passion as before.
Among the significant events that I had organized before my relocation, I will mention the Latino Laity School were for the first time we trained more than 100 members from 4 different Latino churches in Spanish. Once a month, I instruct them in the basic teachings of the Christian faith, UMC polity, evangelism and mission. I also help the Board of Ordination reestructure their Local Pastor School to integrate the Latino candidates. As a part of that effort I mentored one of the candidates and offered the preaching, worship and counseling pieces in Spanish. I also coordinated the First meeting of Latino leaders with Bishop Kammerer and an additional meeting with Marc Brown to learn about the "All things New" vision in our Conference. I personally interpreted to Spanish all this events, including the Local Pastor School and the Annual Conference.
On July 1st, I moved to Chuckatuck to begin a new life as pastor of Wesley Chapel were I was warmly welcome and fully embraced by this vibrant and faithfull congregation. The beauty of this place and the affection of the people has been a great blessing to my life. From the first Sunday I was amazed by their strong leadership, their biblical knowledge and deep spiritual convictions that makes this a wonderful church to serve. Quickly I realized how lovingly God has moved me from a very stressful position where I daily found myself advocating for Latino immigrants, dealing with immigration issues, interpreting diversity and mediating through extremely polarized situations, to a now more relaxing atmosphere were I can focus on being a Pastor and caring for my people.
Since I came I began to integrate to this community by visiting and participating in their events including the Firemen Fish Fry and the Peanut Festival. I have integrated myself into the Portsmouth District as one of the new pastors serving under John Vest direction. In this district I am actively serving in the Board of Ordination and in the Craddock UMC Transition Committee. I have also attended funeral services and meetings at the district level including the United Methodist Women District meeting, the United Methodist Men Pastor's Appreciation dinner and the Boy Scouts dinner with the Bishop. During the Elders retreat I deliberately joined the pastors of the Portsmouth District to know them better and establish new relations of affection and camaradery that I intent to keep in the future. I have also met with the pastors of other denominations in the area and help in the organization of our Community Thanksgiving Worship Service were I will preach.
At Wesley Chapel we have began together a new trail in our journey of faith, filled with optimism and enthusiasm. We have explored God's vision for us and we have agreed in working together to grow as a church. We will work hard to: invite others, warmly welcome, effectively incorporate and send forth our members to bless the world in service and mission. What an incredible vision to work with! What a privilege it is to serve at Wesley Chapel! What a blessing to be among its people! What a joy they are to my life! I give thanks to God for this miracle of love!
