By Ruth Randall
August 10, 2009

Spanish speaking immigrants in Albuquerque, thirsty for the comfort and solace offered by a house of worship, can have their thirsts quenched at a place tucked away in the southeast quadrant of the city. That place of spiritual refreshment, Iglesia Congregacional Unida (ICU), is pastored by the Reverend Daniel Erdman. Established in 1926, the church emerged from years of mission efforts by Congregationalists and Presbyterians.

Ministering to immigrants
Prior to 1996, when Erdman became the sole pastor of ICU, the church had made a bold decision to reach out to immigrants. That courageous endeavor has resulted in a change in membership, which at the time consisted of mostly older folks, to a multigenerational Hispanic/Latino congregation. Worship services are conducted almost exclusively in Spanish; however the church is looking for ways to minister to bilingual and English-dominant speaking people. Children share in the worship service with a sermon designed especially for them, and then join their teacher for Christian education. Adults meet at one another’s homes for bible study.

Celebrating a variety of special observances.
In conjunction with other churches of the South Albuquerque Cooperative Ministry (SACM), they celebrate Las Posadas (The Lodging Places), which is a reenactment of Joseph’s search for a room at the inn. They also hold an Epiphany/Reyes Magos (Three Kings) event and sometimes join the SACM for Easter sunrise services. 
The church participates in special events with choirs from Second Presbyterian and El Buen Samaritano (The Good Samaritan) United Methodist churches. Coming of age services, Quinceañeras, are held for young women when they reach the age of fifteen. Liturgy for this service is included in the Himnario Unido, the United Church of Christ’s official Spanish language hymnal.

Supporting the community
Church members are excited about participating in more joint activities with Second Presbyterian, the largest of which is an ecumenical new church development among Hispanic/Latino people in southwest Albuquerque.
Housed in the church’s annex, ICU supports Mujeres en Acción (Women in Action) and El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos (The Center for Equality and Rights).

Providing refuge
The Rev. Erdman, who began his ministry there in 1993, was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA in 1981. He retains dual standing with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the UCC. Prior to serving as chaplain of Menaul School, a private co-educational Presbyterian affiliated institution in Albuquerque, he served as co-director of the Nicaragua branch of Witness for Peace, an organization of people committed to nonviolence and to changing US policies toward Latin America.

Ruth Randall is the Southwest Conference UCC Multi-Racial, Multi-Cultural Correspondent and a member of Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque.