Protestant woman ministers to Catholic Pescadero farm workers

Julia Scott profiles the Reverend Monique Ortiz, pastor of Pescadero Community Church, in the County Times.

The Rev. Monique Ortiz spent much of last week letting Pescadero’s migrant farm laborers know that she would be offering a Spanish-language Easter service at Pescadero Community Church just for them. But none of the men could come on Sunday.

"I couldn’t believe it. It’s Easter. They’re overworked and they can’t say no, because they need the money," said Ortiz. "I tell them, ‘If you can’t make it to the service, come for the tamales.’"

When the men do come to worship at the church, a Protestant United Church of Christ, it is because of Ortiz. She was the one who introduced the Spanish ministry to address their spiritual needs a year ago, and about nine of them come to her services when they can — always followed by a Mexican meal. They are Catholic, but they trust her: she has spent the past three years helping supply their material needs as well, as an intern at Puente de la Costa Sur, a Mexican workers’ resource center down the street.

The article also profiles the church, which serves a wide variety of faiths in Pescadero.