March 24, 2008
RE: YOUTH OF THE CHURCH
God bless you!
We have been given the task of completing a vision from our National Pastor, Rev. Dr. Huberto Pimentel. This vision is not only for our Church, but rather has an intentional outreach and importance for our young people. Rev. Pimentel has a long-term vision, and it begins this summer in our bi-annual Assembly in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey.
The vision then continues to 2009, with a Leadership Retreat, which will prepare the young people of the Obra Hispana to work and represent on a national level the Hispanic Churches of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). These two gatherings would then lead us to our Hispanic Assembly in 2010, which will have a focus on youth. What an exciting time this will be!
The golden question then becomes: Are there funds available to complete this vision?
We are currently working on accruing funds for these events. However, we recognize that we need the support of all our local churches.
The activities are geared and designed for youth 12 – 18 years of age. We are asking churches and members of local congregations, to sponsor a young person to attend the 2008 Hispanic Assembly. You can sponsor one, two, three, or more youth.
At this year’s assembly in New Jersey at the Hilton Hotel, the registration cost, if completed by May 30, will be $105. In an effort to have as many young people attend the 2008 assembly, we have established a scholarship program that will fund 100% of the registration costs (does not include hotel and airfare costs). The funds raised will be divided by $105 (one pre-registration cost only, which includes meals during the assembly). That number will be the amount of scholarships available. For example, if we raise a total of $2,100, there will be 20 scholarships available. Obviously, the more money raised, the more scholarships will be available.
How will these scholarships be disbursed?
Young people will need to apply by e-mailing a 400-500 word essay addressing questions to youth@cpohm.disciples.org (see attached application). A committee of Hispanic seminarians in Indianapolis, IN, in which they will decide to whom funds will be awarded, will review all essays.
The deadline to receive your sponsorships will be Friday, April 18, 2008. According to the funds raised, we will determine how many scholarships are available.
You can donate money in one of the following ways:
- Call the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries at (317) 713-2584 to use your Visa or Master Card.
- Make checks payable to "Hispanic Ministries" and send to the Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries.
- On your on-line registration: Under ADDITIONAL OPTIONS, type the amount you wish to give and select YOUTH ASSEMBLY SCHOLARSHIPS from the drop down menu.
It’s that simple!
To read this letter in Spanish and for more information on the assembly, visit www.obrahispana.org/14asamblea.
Also, tell your youth to visit our Myspace page at www.myspace.com/DOCHispanicYouth.
Thank you for your support, and please keep all of our Hispanic/Latino(a) youth in your prayers.
God bless you,
Samuel Robles Jr. Hilda Marie Robles Jr.
