Dear SCNC Friends,

On behalf of the SCNC Board of Directors, it is with regret that I write to inform you that Rev. Ms. Rosario Ibarra is no longer able to continue as a member of our Conference staff.  Rosario has been our Pastoral Assistant for Community in Diversity for more than a year.  The need for her to leave our staff was not desired by either the Board or Rev. Ibarra.  It is the result of an unavoidable immigration-visa situation too complicated to explain here.  Rev. Ibarra is remaining in the country while seeking student visa status and while she, her attorney, the Conference and our attorneys are exploring options for the future.

As your staff and Board leadership continue to explore the implications of this reality, here's what we can say to you now:

• Rev. Ibarra has been a valuable asset in her too brief tenure with us, teaching UCC History and Polity in Spanish, translating UCC resources and portions of our Conference website, leading diversity workshops and teaching Spanish.  This development is a significant loss to our Conference.;
• An employment conclusion agreement has been made between the Conference and Rev. Ibarra;
• The Conference leadership is planning opportunities to thank Rev.Ibarra for her ministry with us and will share those plans with you shortly;
• A subcommittee of the Board and I will be working to plan for alternative leadership in our priority for Diversity in Community;
• We will continue to learn more about immigration and employment matters.
   

We ask your prayers for Rev. Ibarra as she plans the next part of her life and ministry journey. She continues to be an important part of our Conference community and we want to offer our love and support during this time of challenge.

With You in Christ's Service,

Jane