The Center for Hispanic Studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, announces its 2006-2007 Annual Lecture in Hispanic/Latino Theology and Missions, to be held Wednesday, March 14, at 10:45 a.m. in the Seminary’s Clara and Spencer Werner Auditorium. Dr. Hjamil A. Martinez Vazquez, a historian from Puerto Rico who teaches in the department of religion at Texas Christian University, will be the guest speaker. Rev. Steve Morfitt and Melissa Salomon, J.D., who have worked among Hispanics along the United States—Mexico border, will respond to Martinez’s lecture based on their own ministry experiences.

The theme for this year’s lecture is “Identity & Borderlands.” It has been said that Hispanics in the United States are a borderlands community. How does a borderlands social location affect Latino/a identity and others’ perceptions of them? What contributions do borderlands peoples bring to church and society? How should our identification with borderlands communities actually shape our identity as humans and people of God?

The lecture is designed to raise awareness and educate the Seminary community and the general public about issues that affect Latino communities and the contributions of Latinos and others to the shape of the church’s task in such contexts.

For more information, contact the Center for Hispanic Studies at (314) 863-2772, or chs@csl.edu.