Rio Texas Conference to Commemorate Valley Farm Workers’ Union 1966 March in Kenedy, TX this Saturday
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 25, 2015
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Rio Texas Conference to Commemorate Valley Farm Workers’ Union 1966 March in Kenedy, TX this Saturday
SAN ANTONIO (Thursday, June 25) –The Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Valley Farm Workers’ Union 400-mile march to the State Capitol this Saturday. They will also be celebrating the induction of a Texas Historical Marker at El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church, Kenedy, TX for its involvement in the march.
The 400-mile march stopped at El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church in August 1966. They were invited by Rev. Isabel Gómez, (pastor of El Buen Samaritano) and Rev. Roy Fisher (pastor of First United Methodist Church, Kenedy), for a brief service of scripture and worship. It was the only protestant church that welcomed the marchers. After stopping at Kenedy, they also stopped at the Alamo in San Antonio and met Cesar Chavez at the Capitol in September 1966.
“We are going to memorialize the people that died for that march,” said Retired Bishop Joel Martinez. “They put hard work into raising that cause for higher wages and better working conditions. We must not forget them.”
The celebration this Saturday will include a service of remembrance and thanksgiving. Speakers include Rev. Isabel Gómez, Doris Hudspeth Miller (widow of Rev. Roy Fisher), Retired Bishop Joel Martinez (former Bishop of the San Antonio Episcopal Area from 2000 - 2008) and Bishop James E. Dorff (San Antonio Episcopal Area Bishop). A fellowship luncheon will follow the worship service.
This open event will take place at El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church in Kenedy, TX (249 Booe St., 78119) this Saturday, June 27 starting at 11 a.m. Multimedia professionals are welcome.
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ABOUT:
The Rio Texas Annual Conference aims to reach out to people of South and Central Texas. Some of our churches are located in some of the fastest-growing areas of the country. Others are located in areas where people are struggling with issues of poverty, lack of affordable housing, and a loss of hope. We are committed to providing vital missions, vital congregations, and strong leaders to connect our churches to the people. Our churches are in large cities and small towns from Austin to McAllen, from San Angelo to Victoria in vibrant cities, historic small towns and struggling communities. Our churches and congregations meet annually during the month of June to conduct the business of the conference and gather for worship in Corpus Christi at the American Bank Center. Our Bishop is Bishop James E. Dorff, who has presided as Bishop of the former Southwest Conference and the Rio Grande Conference (now Rio Texas) since 2008. For more information about the conference or our bishop, please visit http://riotexas.org and follow us on Twitter @RioTxAC.
CONTACT:
Rev. Will Rice
210-408-4500 Ext. 505
wrice@riotexas.org
16400 Huebner Road
San Antonio, Texas 78248