On Sept. 4, 2016, the congregation of East Saugus United Methodist Church and seminary students from Boston University School of Theology celebrated the establishment of Casa Raices Latinas, an intentional community for seminary students preparing to be in ministry with the church and their communities.

The parsonage to the church will house six students for the 2016-17 school year. Five of the students are participants in the Raices Latinas leadership convocations organized by the school of theology (This is an intentional effort to identify, recruit and facilitate discernment of call for Latino/a students.), and one student is from the Methodist Church in Africa. Students will participate in monthly conversations with faculty and pastors and will be involved in a ministry of a local church.

Dr. Cristian De La Rosa, Director of Contextual Education and Community Partnerships at the School of Theology, (pictured at left with the students) and the Rev. Charlene Zull, Director of Spiritual Life at the School of Theology, facilitated the consecration ritual.

Students expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to access affordable housing and a space for ministerial practice.  Church members expressed their appreciation for the students and the blessing they represent to the local church.

Casa Raices Latinas is a ministry of the East Saugus congregation in partnership with the United Methodist Foundation of New England and the Office of Contextual Education at Boston University School of Theology. This is a new model linking the local church, the annual conference and a seminary within our United Methodist connection.

Students living in the house are:
Jonathan Rodriguez-Cintron
You are invited to pray for these students as they prepare to be stronger leaders for our church. 

Photo and story courtesy of Cristian De La Rosa.