Peace, Justice, Love: A Political Valentine’s Day
By Robert Waddell, February 9, 2009
 On Saturday February 14th, The Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas will hold a first ever dinner dance and gala. The church hopes to raise funds in order to secure a permanent location for the 11-year-old church that is a member of Metropolitan Association of New York Conference, United Church of Christ.
The Gala twists the traditional concept of a Valentine’s Day dance, practicing love for community with religious and social justice love. Honorees include Elpidia de la Cruz, Rev. Lucios Walker, Rev. Michael Caine, Moises Perez and Nieves Ayres.
“I want to see a lot of people there having fun and sharing,” said Nathalie Tejada who has been a church member for the last 2 years. “There’s going to be a lot of love in the air,” she said.
 Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas, lead by Pastor Claudia de La Cruz, and named for Liberation theology’s Archbishop Romero of El Salvador, is dedicated to the teachings of Jesus Christ in a social justice context. In their mission statement the church describes themselves as “the goal of our prophetic ministry is the empowerment and enrichment of the city’s Latino/Hispanic communities and to organize these communities on the basis of the social and political dimensions of their spirituality…. we are devoted to strive to eradicate social sins such as male supremacy, heterosexism/homophobia, classism, racism, ethnocentrism, and xenophobia- to mention some of them- because they destroy the original plan of God….”
The church has had no permanent home and has met for services in member’s homes, other churches and in the park. This dinner dance is the first fundraiser for the church to secure funds for a permanent home and the ability to expand their ministry and education that include young people, political prisoners and other social justice issues.
“By having our own space,” said Manuel Castro, member for 8 years, “we will increase activities in our church and increase our participation in the church and the community.”
“We’re trying to get a place to serve our community,” said Tejada, “We want to talk about immigration and housing. We want to have a place available for the community we serve so they’ll get the support they need.”
 Grateful for the honor, Luz de las Nieves Ayress Moreno of La Pena del Bronx, which helps poor people of the South Bronx said that she dedicated her award to all of the indigenous, Latina and African American women who have struggled and sacrificed their lives in the cause of justice and liberation.
“We all want to make a better world for us all…Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas does important work,” said Ayress Moreno, “There are many young people who are now coming into their political own.”
Iglesia San Romero de La Americas 1st Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday February 14th, 7 p.m. at Local 32BJ Auditorium, 101 Avenue of the Americas, between Grand and Watts Streets in Manhattan, New York. Tickets are $75. For more information call 917-544-1693.
This story was developed through the Education Beat Writing Fellowship at the New York Community Alliance. |
