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RELIGION & PHILOSOPHY > RESEARCH
Student Research & Scholarship
Jessi LeClear ‘08
Major: Religion/Spanish
Hometown: Northwood, Iowa Latino
Religious Life in Waterloo, Iowa
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Lake Lambert III, associate professor of religion
Presented at the Upper Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Academy of Religion As the population of Latinos in the United States continues to rise, Latinos and religious leaders from many alreadyestablished, English-speaking institutions have formed ministries that cater to their Spanish-speaking neighbors. While many Latinos have the passion and ability to form their own ministries, it can often be difficult to sustain these ministries without the assistance of already established religious institutions. Such is the case in Waterloo, Iowa. Based on interviews with Latino and English-speaking religious leaders in Waterloo, this paper describes the various religious opportunities for Latinos thriving in Waterloo, and the lack of public information currently available on them (such is the scarcity of information, that even some of the existing Latino ministries in Waterloo are unaware of each other). In addition, the paper interprets the delicate relationship and partnership between Spanish and English-speaking religious communities, also addressing the responsibility alreadyestablished, English-speaking institutions have in the development and support of Latino ministries.
Wartburg College has been a member of the Bethsaida Excavations Consortium since 1988 with Professors Strickert and Walter "Chip" Bouzard serving on the board of directors. Nearly 300 Wartburg students have participated in ten May Term excavations, along with faculty Susan Vallem, Randall Schroeder, Darold Wolff, Bill Waltmann, and Les Huth. Since 2001, excavations have been minimal, and participants have focused on publication. An exhibit of Bethsaida Artifacts is currently on display at the University of Hartford. In reviewing the exhibit, Biblical Archaeology Review highlighted two artifacts in particular that were discovered by Wartburg May Term classes in 1996 and 1994: a bronze Roman period cultic incense shovel and a door key. A replica of the latter was presented by the Israeli Antiquities Authority to Pope John Paul 2 on his visit to Israel in 2000, symbolic of the key of Saint Peter (a disciple from Bethsaida). |
