Contact: Nancye Willis
(615) 742-5406
e-mail: nwillis@umcom.org

Jan. 7, 2004

Tambourine Band More Than Music; United Methodist Congregation Helps Teens Fit In

YUMA, Ariz.—The sound of tambourines punctuates worship services at San Luis New United Methodist Church, but the music has a deeper meaning. It represents an effort by the congregation to give teenage girls a place to belong.

And, says the Rev. Ricardo Reyes, pastor of the predominately Hispanic church, the congregation is reaping benefits. “They motivate our congregation. When members see the tambourine girls, they know that we are doing something for the girls.”

(The tambourine band of San Luis New United Methodist Church is featured in the UMTV video report “Hispanic Harmony” the week of Jan. 7. It is available in both Spanish and English at the UMTV Web site www.umtv.org.)

The “something” the church does is to help the girls use music, dance and some sparkly costumes to unite the group—at a time in their lives when fitting in isn’t always easy.

Delia Frausto and her sister Vanessa took up the instruments in hope of finding friendships. It’s paid off, she says. “Every Sunday I go hang around with them because I don’t have a lot of friends around the neighborhood,” she adds.

Because they are self-taught, they learn to listen and respect each other. And, because their rehearsals are conducted in Spanish, they’re learning to speak the language better.

San Luis New United Methodist Church is among 357 predominately Hispanic congregations, with 51,871 members (in a total U.S. membership of about 8.4 million). Hispanic/Latinos are the fastest-growing demographic group in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Two of the denomination’s bishops are Hispanic/Latino, as are 506 ordained clergy. The denomination saw a nearly 30 percent increase in Hispanic/Latino membership between 1996 and 2001.

The United Methodist Church is one of the few denominations with a fully developed plan to address Hispanic/Latino concerns. Its National Plan for Hispanic Ministry was launched in 1993 at the direction of the denomination’s top legislative body.

More information on the United Methodist National Plan for Hispanic Ministry is available at http://gbgm-umc.org/programs/hispanicmin/english.html.