Presbyterian Hispanic Caucus members volunteer at Portland’s Union Gospel Mission

Group eschews group dinner to serve ‘the least of these’ at General Assembly

by Gail Strange | Presbyterian News Service

Members of The National Presbyterian Hispanic/Latino-a Caucus serve dinner to the guests of the Union Gospel Mission in Portland, Oregon while attending GA 222 (2016). (Photo by Rod Cartesegna)

PORTLAND – It wasn’t your typical General Assembly celebration, but it did have great impact. Members of the National Hispanic/Latino-a Presbyterian Caucus celebrated their time together at General Assembly 222 (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by participating in a June 21 service project at the Union Gospel Mission in Portland, Oregon.

Caucus members broke out in impromptu music as they gathered around a piano played by Almir Dias, field associate for the Portuguese-speaking ministries in the Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Members sang hymns of the church in English and Spanish as they waited for their assignment at the mission.

“Traditionally, the caucuses come together at General Assembly and host an elaborate dinner,” said Tony Aja, moderator of the National Hispanic/Latino-a Presbyterian Caucus. “In talking with my colleagues it was decided to do a mission project rather than a fancy dinner,” says Aja. Each caucus member paid $25 to participate in the project. As a result of not spending money on a traditional dinner event, the National Hispanic/Latino-a Presbyterian Caucus made a $1,000 contribution to the Union Gospel Mission.

The service project at General Assembly was a first for the organization. “This event exposed caucus members to direct mission. It was a hands-on and meaningful opportunity,” Aja continued. “We hope it will serve as an example for other groups.” A total of 15 caucus members participated in the project. Members joined guests and residents for chapel, served dinner to those who came for an evening meal and cleaned tables when everyone had finished.

Members of The National Presbyterian Hispanic/Latino-a Caucus join in song at the Union Gospel Mission in Portland, Oregon while attending GA 222 (2016). (Photo by Rod Cartesegna)

Bernadette Gonzales, volunteer groups and special events coordinator for Union Gospel Mission, said the evening meals severed at the mission by LifeChange residents and volunteers are intended to be a true act of compassion that demonstrates respect and honor for homeless and hurting people in the community. “For many of them, coming to the mission begins with an attempt to find a safe, warm, dry place to rest for a bit and eat a hot meal—it ends with them regaining the self-respect they have lost on the street,” says Gonzales. “I’m glad the Presbyterian Church could join us during their stay in Portland.”

The goal of the caucus is to advocate for the rights of Hispanic/Latino-a persons in the PC(USA). One key purpose of the group is to educate the church about Hispanic culture and to be a voice for the Latino-a community within the church. Membership of the caucus has representation from 10 of the 16 PC(USA) synods.

The Union Gospel Mission was founded in 1927 when 40 area churches came together to minister to the homeless and hurting on the streets of Portland. The organization’s purpose is “feeding the hungry, restoring the addict and loving our neighbor.” The Mission provides over 200,000 meals each year to homeless persons and people in need. In addition to meals, Union Gospel Mission provides food boxes, a dayroom with coffee and snacks, clothing, hygiene items, referral services and emergency cold weather shelter to homeless persons in Portland. Additionally, the organization is home to the LifeChange program, a Christ-centered recovery community. LifeChange’s purpose is to transform lives and help program participants break free of addiction and destructive life patterns.

“The time we spent at [Union Gospel Mission] feeding the least of God’s children offers an opportunity for the community to see the Presbyterian Church, God’s church in service,” said Aja. “It was time well spent.” The National Presbyterian Hispanic/Latino-a Caucus is a ministry in partnership with the Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries of Presbyterian Mission Agency.

For more information about The National Presbyterian Hispanic/Latino-a Caucus, visit presbyterianmission/rewm.org.