What It Means to be a Biracial Man and an Anglican
Russell Vick is a new curate at Restoration Church in Arlington, VA participating in The Restoration Clergy Development Program. His Mom’s family is from El Salvador. He reflected on what it means to be a biracial man and an Anglican. In doing so, incorporated thoughts from his attendance at New Wineskins. Enjoy!
by Russell Vick
My mom came to the United States following my abuelita, my abuelito, and my tios. She was just 11 years old when she left El Salvador. Mis abuelos both grew up poor, and they came to this country hoping to provide a better life for their family. My abuelita worked as a cleaning maid, cook, and nanny for different families, and my abuelito worked as a janitor at a used car store. My mom, who was a good student back in El Salvador, struggled in her classes because of the language barrier. Students bullied her because of her accent, and my mom struggled to become accustomed to a foreign language in a foreign land. Through hard work and grit, my mom eventually became a licensed interpreter for the state of California and was studying to become an interpreter for the United Nations until she met my dad. They fell in love, got married, and started a family.
Growing up, I never really thought about the differences between the two sides of my family. I just took it for granted that one side of my family predominantly spoke Spanish and the other side spoke English. I remember being at family gatherings where my sister, and I were the only white kids present. I remember my abuelita’s visits, her cooking, and her joy as she spoke to me in a language I only half-understood. Although I couldn’t understand everything she said, I never doubted her love for me and my sister. Her broken English and my poor Spanish was no barrier for her love.
As I think about the significance of National Hispanic Heritage month, I am reminded of the future hope promised to us in scripture. The goal of the church is to reflect the Triune God whose nature perfectly exemplifies unity within diversity. One day, people from every nation and tongue will proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, and on that glorious day, all of humanity will have peace with God and with one another. Hispanic Heritage month is an opportunity to remember that the gospel story is a story for the whole world.
When I became Anglican, a friend from seminary gifted me with a keychain which I still use to this day. On the keychain is a miniature of an African drum which was handmade in his home country of Uganda. I’ll never forget what he said when he handed me that small gift: “This is to remind you that you are now part of something bigger than yourself.” My friend understood that my identity as an Anglican intrinsically is intertwined with the story of the gospel. I was reminded of this once again when I had the privilege to attend the New Wineskins Conference in Greensboro, NC. As I worshipped alongside Anglican priests, bishops, and archbishops from around the world, I saw a glimpse of the story’s fulfillment when the Lord will unite all peoples and the kingdom of God will fully be manifested on earth. The gospel story is far bigger than any one of us because it is ultimately about God and His love for the world. When we choose to live according to the gospel, we look outside ourselves and participate “in the work that God has given us to do. To love and serve Him as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord…”
Por la gloria del Padre
Por la gloria de Jesus
Por la gloria de Espiritu
Forever and ever, Amen.