CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Every year Americans come together to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15. The month is dedicated to celebrating Latin American culture and American Citizens whose roots come from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. As defined by the United States Census Bureau, the term Hispanic refers to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race.

The legislative history of Hispanic Heritage Month goes as far back as 1968. This was when Congress approved the celebration of a just a week from September 5 to 16 as Public Law 90-490 on September 17, 1968. Later, Proclamation 4310 of September 4, 1974, the National Hispanic Heritage Week was approved for September 10-16.

It wasn’t until August 17, 1988, that Public Law 100-402 approved by Congress 100 and the ultimate change was made from one week to a month Today the celebration begins starting September 15 through October 15.

In all of these various proclamations and public laws, it was asked that people of the United States — especially the education community and organizations concerned with the protection of human rights — observe this month with appropriate activities and ceremonies. What better time to exam how Celebrations occur throughout Southern California and plan some celebrations of your own?

According to the last US Census in 2020, Hispanics make up the largest ethnic group in Southern California totaling 39% of the population. We know that across Southern California many festivals, parade and parties, programs, webcasts, and other local celebrations are held throughout the United States during this special month. You’ll even be able to hear Lutheran Social Services inform and celebrate this special month on our podcast Get Engaged that will air on September 15. Churches and places of faith certainly don’t fall behind in these celebrations.

Here are some ways you can engage your community group or church or place of faith in celebrating:

• Host a dinner or community event with typical dishes and music from the HispanicLatino countries represented that make up the culture of your community. For example, each home study group could pick a country to make a specialty food from a different county and share it. Maybe even choose to collect donations to go to projects or missions that help that particular country of origin or groups of immigrants here in the US from that country.

• Plan and hold special worship services, where elements of the Hispanic-Latino culture are included. Check your denomination for the ability to get free or reduced cost hymnals in Spanish. Or better yet, sing modern worship songs in Spanish and in English

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• Host a guest speaker that can lecture about matters and situations that Hispanics/Latinos are facing.

• Watch a Latinx Film or Documentary featuring Hispanic culture together.

• Learn Spanish together. Whether a formal class or just a few words or scripture verses, this is a meaningful activity.

• Hold joint worship service with another church that speaks in Spanish (or English if Spanish is your primary language). Finding someone to volunteer to translate back and forth is fairly easy if you just ask around.

• Host a virtual lunch and learn featuring members from your group who can share about their culture.

• Learn a Latin dance or two together. Whether your group chooses Samba with The Savior or Mombo with The Master, this could be a team building exercise for any group wanting to have fun and celebrate this special month.

• Give to a group or non-profit that celebrates diversity as they serve. Organizations like Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, for example, provide services, workshops and information in both Spanish & English.

Finally, take photos of how ever your family, you as an individual or your church or other community group chooses to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. We would love to share them in our next issue of ENGAGE. Send your photos directly to our editor at: Lori.butler@lsssc.org.

From Chemist To The Collar

(Continued from Page 8)

Vu proudly shares that he considers himself entirely American as he has been here almost his entire life. Perhaps it’s very fitting then for this bi-vocational Pastor and chemist to patriotically dedicate weeks of his times around each 4th of July to raising funds at a fireworks booth for a medical ministry to Vietnam. “I try not to be too political, but there is a misconception about most immigrants. I am certainly not the type of immigrant portrayed in the media,” he remarks.

“I have lived in the Los Angeles and Orange County area for nearly 30 years It certainly has changed so much that I often worry for my children. The California I came to in 1975 had a strong economy and so much hope and promise. America was a beacon of light for the rest of the world back then and for me personally as a 15-year-old boy especially to be able to freely live out my Christian values.”

“Today the Gospel and focusing on the fact that Jesus will always be our true beacon of light no matter how things change in our country and in the world is what matters most,” he concludes.

It’s clear to see that this experienced working chemist is most truly in his element on Sunday mornings. The 9:30 a.m. service is in English and the 11 a.m. in Vietnamese. You may just want to visit St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Garden Grove some Sunday. You may just discover the perfect formula for launching your own ministry while working in your profession.

WORD FROM DR. LASHARNDA BECKWITH, CEO

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Just as Ms. Fannie Mae, at the age of 94, prepares to embrace her eternal reward, we are encouraged to live our lives in a manner that reflects our trust in Christ's promises. I had some amazing role models as a young woman. Ms. Fannie Mae is near the top of that list. Her faith in the transformative power of Christ was unwavering. I am truly grateful to have had her influence on my life. May we all find comfort in the truth that closing our eyes to this world can lead to the everlasting joy of life in Christ. May the Peace of Christ live in your soul today and always.

WORD FROM DR. TERRY PAULSON, CHAIR OF THE BOARD

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SECRET #6 – Be nice to your parents along the way. Before you were born, your parents weren’t as boring as they are now. They got that way from cleaning up after you and listening to your frequent complaints! Your parents are doing the best they can. So, the next time you feel like being upset with them, remember that they love you and you love them!

SECRET #7 – Don’t believe everything they tell you in college. Some of your professors may have done away with winning and losing, but life has not. They may try to tell you that all moral choices are relative, and there is no standard of right and wrong. These opinions don’t bear the slightest resemblance to anything in real life.

SECRET #8 – Be nice to all people you meet along the way. It isn’t just what you know in life that will get you ahead; it is how you treat others you live and work with. Nice people do get ahead.

SECRET #9 – Cultivate your faith. People may try to convince you that God does not exist. Many intellectuals think that their minds are vastly superior to centuries of faith experience. God will be near you all the way through your coming years whether you acknowledge Him or not.

SECRET #10 – Laugh a lot. Take your school, your homework, and your career choices seriously, but always take yourself lightly! People like being with people who smile and make them laugh.

None of us live all these secrets, but it’s worth trying. Make memories, make a difference, and enjoy the journey.