Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, NIC Director of Connectional Ministries, helped coordinate the MARCHA event.

At the beginning of August, Hispanic/Latinx United Methodists from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico gathered in Arlington Heights for the Annual Gathering of MARCHA (Metodistas Asociados Representando la Causa de los Hispano/Latino Americanos)—the national Hispanic/Latinx caucus of The United Methodist Church and an advocacy organization committed to justice, equity, and the empowerment of Hispanic/Latinx communities.  

The theme of this year’s gathering, “Now, Yes! With Faith and Courage, We Respond to Our Call to Act,” set the tone for a weekend filled with worship, learning, and action. The Hispanic/Latinx Ministry of the Northern Illinois Conference extended hospitality and strong support as the host of this national event, which convenes annually.  

Bishop Dan Schwerin welcomed the caucus and preached at the opening worship service. He called the community to live without fear. The bishop reminded those gathered that despite current challenges, “there are more of us than there are of them [those who would oppress Hispanic/Latinx people],” and “there is always more God than meets the eye.” Several full cabinet members joined in the vibrant service, in solidarity with the Hispanic/Latinx church. 

Estefany Sanabria poses with the Emerging Leadership award and other MARCHA members from Northern Illinois.

MARCHA Awards 

Each year, MARCHA recognizes outstanding leadership, advocacy, and community impact through its annual awards.

This year’s celebration was especially meaningful for the Northern Illinois Conference as one of the awards was presented to Estefany Sanabria, a young adult from Humboldt Park UMC in Chicago. Estefany is a dedicated attorney who graduated from DePaul University College of Law with a certificate in public interest law and now serves at the National Immigrant Justice Center as a lawyer for the Asylum Project. A committed United Methodist, faithful MARCHA member, and tireless advocate, Estefany represents the emerging leadership and vital contributions of the emerging generation within our community.

The MARCHA gathering also provided an inspiring space for the Hispanic/Latinx community to reflect on current challenges, especially those related to immigration, and to discern a collective call to action. Participants shared ideas and built strategies around accompaniment, resilience and next steps. In the hallways and over meals, participants experienced what felt like a family reunion, renewing relationships, building new partnerships and strengthening the network of Hispanic/Latinx leaders across the connection.

As the gathering drew to a close, the theme became a shared pledge: we will not postpone our response to God’s invitation; now, yes, we will go out with courage and hope, embodying Christ’s love in our neighborhoods, across the connection, and throughout Puerto Rico and the U.S.