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BISHOP'S OFFICE

Many Peoples, One Beloved Community
A Hispanic Heritage Month Reflection

“There was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne.” – Revelation 7:9 (NRSVA)

Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 through October 15, invites us to celebrate the faith, histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. For the churches of the Ohio Episcopal Area, it is also an invitation to embody more faithfully the beloved community envisioned in Scripture.

In Revelation, people from every nation, tribe, and language gather before God. Their unity does not erase their differences. They worship together while retaining the beauty of their identities, languages, memories, and traditions. This is God’s vision of diversity – not assimilation, but communion; not uniformity, but unity in Christ.

Hispanic and Latino communities enrich Ohio through vibrant faith, strong families, joyful worship, generous hospitality and courageous leadership. As we celebrate these gifts, we must also listen to their experiences and stand with families facing challenges involving immigration, education, employment, housing, health care, language access and racial justice.

Christian advocacy begins with listening. It honors the leadership of those most directly affected, confronts harmful stereotypes and works so that every child of God may live with dignity, safety and hope.

Through Multiply Ohio, we are committed to cultivating new faith communities across our state. This must include planting and strengthening Hispanic and Latino congregations, developing clergy and lay leaders and investing in children, youth and young adults. God is already at work in these communities. Our calling is to recognize that work, build trusted relationships and join what the Holy Spirit has begun.

This celebration also calls us into solidarity with other immigrant and marginalized communities. We especially remember our Haitian neighbors in Springfield, who have endured distorted narratives, dehumanizing rhetoric, discrimination and fear. The Haitian community has its own distinct history, culture and linguistic identity and should not be confused with Hispanic and Latino communities. Yet their experience reminds us that prejudice against any community wounds the whole body of Christ.

When immigrants and communities of color are reduced to stereotypes or used as symbols in political conflict, the Church must not remain silent. We must challenge misinformation, reject racism and xenophobia, listen to community leaders, support trusted local ministries and advocate for dignity, fair treatment, safety and belonging. Advocacy is not separate from discipleship; it is part of our public witness to the love and justice of Jesus Christ.

I invite every congregation in the East and West Ohio Conferences to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month meaningfully by:

• inviting Hispanic and Latino leaders to preach, teach, share their stories and help lead the celebration.
• building lasting relationships with Hispanic congregations and community organizations.
• learning about the concerns affecting immigrant families and advocate alongside them.
• standing with Haitian neighbors in Springfield and other communities experiencing discrimination.
• praying about supporting or beginning a Hispanic, Latino, multilingual or multicultural faith community.

We are becoming one not because we are all the same, but because Christ welcomes us to the same table. There, no culture is considered inferior, no language is silenced, and no neighbor is abandoned to fear.

May Hispanic Heritage Month deepen our gratitude, strengthen our solidarity and renew our commitment to Multiply Ohio. Together, may we become a Church of many peoples and languages – rooted in love, abounding in hope and united in Jesus Christ.