Alejandro Escoto
Hospice Chaplain
Baldwin Park,CA
Summary
Spiritually grounded pastor and chaplain counsels persons on their spiritual journey as well as those undergoing difficulties in their lives, or facing end of life issues. Previously ordained pastor for the Hispanic/Latinx LGBTQ+ Community with years experience in congregational ministry, pastoral care, spiritual counseling, and hospice. I am skilled in working with a diverse population.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Associate Pastor/Hispanic-Latinx Outreach
Founders Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles
12.2005 - 12.2023
- Planned and conducted worship for the Spanish service, wrote sermons, and collaborated with key leaders with the purpose of having dynamic services.
- Collaborated on Creative Worship Team with key church leaders for an overall dynamic and progressive church experience for in-house and virtual congregants
- Recruited, trained, and supervised volunteers for Bible study groups, fellowship hosting, and service opportunities
- Planned, coordinated, and recruited volunteers for Musical, Dramatic, Artistic fundraising and Pride Events
- Provided cultural, linguistic, gender and sexuality sensitivity training for church volunteers and various non-profit community organizations
- Officiated special services in English and Spanish for weddings, funerals, and baptisms
- Facilitated virtual bereavement groups during and after initial Covid crisis for the congregation and their families
- Organized community Blue Christmas Service for persons dealing with loss during the holidays
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer
- Collaborated with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to develop and recruit volunteers for a Peer Support program at church
- Provided general pastoral care training to volunteers with a heart for compassion and a desire to visit homebound congregants
- Volunteered with the church's Hope Net Pantry to distribute food and supplies to communities in need
- Organized, recruited and trained volunteers to deliver donations to El Albergue Las Memorias HIVAIDS Hospice in Tijuana, Mexico
- Wrote grant for underprivileged and marginalized communities to provide free Covid and Flu vaccinations on site which was awarded
- Developed and built relationships with the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental and Public Health, local community, civic organizations and other churches
- Authored and published weekly Spanish meditations on social media platforms, and speeches for specific events.
Pastoral Care/Spanish Language Chaplain
Burnet Hospice Care
08.2018 - 12.2019
- Supplied spiritual care, grief and bereavement support to the underserved Spanish speaking patients and family
- Met with individuals, discussed issues compassionately and determined appropriate type of involvement to meet spiritual needs
- Ministry of presence through the art of silence and prayer to dying patients and their families
- Visited and counseled patients and their families concerning death and dying by providing direct spiritual care
- Provide a friendly, compassionate, and approachable "ear" for those who need comfort and guidance
- Provided religious sacraments for sick patients and family members when requested
- Organize and lead annual memorial services
- Preside at funerals for former hospice patients
- Collaborated, updated the spiritual needs of patients and families, and lead weekly devotions for team meetings
Hospice Chaplain
AHF Carl Bean Hospice
01.2006 - 07.2006
- Supplied spiritual care and grief support for diverse needs, religious and non-religious, of patients whom had no family
- Applied compassionate knowledge and crisis interventions for patients who felt HIV/AIDS was their punishment for being gay
- Resolved crisis and emotional issues through empathic listening, support, prayer and scripture for patients living and dying of HIV/AIDS
- Provided spiritual guidance and emotional support for staff as the Carl Ban Hospice was scheduled to close
Education
Master of Arts - Theology, World Religion, Interreligious Studies
Claremont School of Theology
Claremont, CACertification - Urban Ministry
Pacific School of Religion
Los Angeles, United StatesSkills
- Bilingual, cultural awareness
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Spiritually grounded pastoral skills
- People person, intuitive, caring, empathetic, compassionate
- Calming presence in times of difficulty
- Active listener through art of silence
- Strong leader, team player, good collaborator
- Outstanding worship leader
- Experienced Public Speaker
- Organized and self-motivated
- Creative out of the box thinker
- Previously ordained with MCC
Accomplishments
- Work comfortably within a team environment, communicating respectfully across cultures and with persons of different faiths
- Maintain a high standard of ethical behavior, professionalism, and confidentiality
- Pastoral skills and the respect, dignity and 'sacred' nature in relating to and connecting with others
- Develop meaningful spiritual quotient programs, relationship and recovery workshops, grief/bereavement support groups
- Creative energy and passion working with others in their spiritual journey
- Provide cultural, linguistic, gender, and sexualities sensitivity training to volunteer, community non-profits, and universities
- Planned, coordinated, recruited volunteers, delivered donations for over 12 years to El Albergue Las Memorias HIV/AIDS Hospice in Tijuana, Mexico
- Presented for 15 years the Spanish language adapted musical of "The Passion of Christ" and a collaborative community talent show, "High Heels - Tacones Altos".
Timeline
Pastoral Care/Spanish Language Chaplain
Burnet Hospice Care
08.2018 - 12.2019
Hospice Chaplain
AHF Carl Bean Hospice
01.2006 - 07.2006
Associate Pastor/Hispanic-Latinx Outreach
Founders Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles
12.2005 - 12.2023
Master of Arts - Theology, World Religion, Interreligious Studies
Claremont School of Theology
Certification - Urban Ministry
Pacific School of Religion
Quote
"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded."
"I know that when I pray, something wonderful happens. Not just to the person or persons for whom I'm praying, but also something wonderful happens to me. I'm grateful that I'm heard."
Dr. Maya Angelou
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