Hispanic Latino Celebration Recap

By: Susan Suarez Webster, WNCC Justice and Reconciliation Team Member

On Saturday, January 25 at 4 pm, St. Luke UMC in Hickory opened their doors and arms to the Hispanic Latino congregations of the WNC Conference for a time of prayer, worship, preaching and fellowship. Close to 90 people attended the service which was conducted mostly in Spanish but with English added in for the supportive and loving English speakers who were also in attendance. 

Pastor Candido Albino and Pilar Perez, (Chair of the WNCC Hispanic Latino Committee) led the worship music accompanied by other musicians and a liturgical dancer from Hickory Grove UMC. Pastor Chris Harbin, pastor of Smyrna and Wingate churches, preached from Romans 5:1-11 emphasizing the hope we have in Christ Jesus who died for us even though sin is still so present in us. Reconciliation in the Lord by grace is a gift. 

Holy Communion was celebrated and time was taken for meditation and reflection. A meal and time for fellowship came at the end of the evening in which "brothers and sisters had spent time together and with the Lord in harmony." 

We give thanks to the WNCC Hispanic Latino committee for the planning and implementation of the gathering. Muchas gracias/Many thanks.