During our recent sabbatical re-visioning process, it came clear that one of the parish’s key concerns was an effective outreach to the Latinx community in Lebanon. St. Luke’s plans to use the wider observance of Hispanic Heritage Month to begin an earnest discernment concerning outreach in the Lebanon Latinx community.
Lebanon’s unique characteristics, the cultural and social dynamics that are at play, and the resources available for effective engagement are all concerns for this discernment process. Lebanon has seen a significant increase in its Latinx population over the past decades. This demographic shift brings both challenges and opportunities for outreach programs that aim to support and integrate the members of this and other ethnic communities into the broader fabric of the region and the life of our church.
The Latinx community in Lebanon is diverse, with individuals from various countries, including Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and other Latin American nations. Each group brings its own cultural practices, traditions, and languages, which must be respected and understood in any outreach effort we might undertake.
Cultural Competence.
Effective outreach always requires that we begin with a deep understanding of the cultural nuances within any community. This includes language preferences (e.g., Spanish vs. English), religious beliefs and traditions, and family dynamics. To have an effective ministry, we need to understand and to honor these cultural elements.
Community Engagement.
Involving members of the Latinx community in the planning and implementation of any outreach programs ensures that the initiatives are relevant and address actual needs. Community leaders, local organizations, and churches can work together as valuable partners.
Language Access.
Providing services and information in both Spanish and English remains crucial. This ensures that language barriers do not prevent individuals from accessing vital resources, whether they are related to healthcare, education, legal assistance, or social services.
Possible Focus Areas for Outreach.
St. Luke’s has undertaken the development of community partnerships to attain several of its mission priorities. The areas that are of greatest concern to the Latinx community often involve concerns around education healthcare legal and immigration services, and economic empowerment. In our discernment, we might want to see where we can best use our partnerships to address these key areas.
In all these efforts, however, the highest priority must be to build trust. Trust is a cornerstone of effective outreach. This requires that we be consistent, reliable, and transparent in all interactions with the Latinx community. Building long-term relationships rather than short-term initiatives will foster a true sense of security and belonging.
Our discernment process will begin with the vestry but must extend to the entire parish. For many Latinx people, the church often serves as a central hub for community, as churches provide not only spiritual support but also practical assistance whenever possible. Along with our partners in the Chestnut Street Community Center and Harding Elementary School, we can begin to provide a thoughtful, culturally aware approach that prioritizes community involvement, trust-building, and the provision of helpful services. By leveraging the strengths of our developing community partnerships, we can hope to contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment for all members of the Lebanon community.