NATIVE AMERICAN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

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  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • 2021-2024 Vision for Native Ministries
    • MISSION
    • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    • CONTACT
  • INITIATIVES
    • SUPPORTING NEW AND EXISTING MINISTRIES
    • RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
    • LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
    • STRENGTHENING DENOMINATIONAL PRESENCE
  • RESOURCES
    • CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES >
      • Northeastern Jurisdiction
      • North Central Jurisdiction
      • Southeast Jurisdiction
      • South Central Jurisdiction
      • Western Jurisdiction
    • OKLAHOMA INDIAN MISSIONARY CONFERENCE
    • NATIVE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CAUCUS
    • NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES SUNDAY
    • RACIAL-ETHNIC SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS
    • NATIVE CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
  • NEWS
    • News
    • Ministry Profiles
  • DONATE
    • Advance #982615
  • Newsletter

Native Women Profile: The Rev. Dr. Justine Wilson

3/31/2020

 
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The Rev. Dr. Justine Wilson, of Cherokee and Ojibwe descent, heard the call to ministry when she was very young. In her perception, ministry was for people with gray hair, so she ignored the call. She saw it as something meant for later in life.

​“I came out of a conservative tradition, and women didn’t do that and were instructed not to do that,” said Wilson. She was a single mom living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a 6-year-old and an infant when she connected with a Native pastor who encouraged her to take the leap into seminary.


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Native Women Profile: Bethany Printup-Davis

3/25/2020

 
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Bethany Printup-Davis, a member of the Tuscarora Nation of New York, is taking a road only 63 Native American United Methodist women have ever chosen in the history of The United Methodist Church. The path to ordination within the denomination is a calling she says has been filled with unique challenges forcing her to balance a fine line between cultures.
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“I really feel the spiritual tension,” said Printup-Davis referencing her Christian existence on her home reservation. She says she grew up attending church on the small reservation where preachers taught Native traditions were not of God.  “When Jesus has been presented to us … where we can’t claim ourselves wholly and authentically as Native people and be welcomed, accepted, and supported it’s a real struggle.”

​She says the first 20 years of her life she had a distaste for the church which caused her to doubt her own self-worth.  However, in college it was a United Methodist campus ministry that kept her from giving up.


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Native Church Profile: St. John United Methodist Church

5/16/2019

 
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Native American members of St. John United Methodist Church in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference have adopted a tribal tradition to honor the community they serve. In many tribes, families hold a Give-away ceremony to honor their relatives who have special achievements. Historically, Give-aways have been a way to distribute wealth and to strengthen the community. In that same spirit, St. John’s holds a monthly food Give-away and feeds nearly 70 families, many of whom are tribal members of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Tribe.

“The church operates under the concept that ‘if I have plenty, so do you because I will share with you,” said Rosa Williams, Greater New Jersey Conference lay leader.

The Church is in Cumberland County which has the highest rate of poverty and food insecurity in the state of New Jersey.
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The Give-away is organized by the Cuff cousins, Pat, Mary Ann, and Bonnie whom are all members of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Tribe.

They coordinate food and household items which are donated by the Food Bank of New Jersey, Amazon, and other community members.  The Cuff cousins recently received the New Jersey Annual Conference Laity ministry award for their service.

“The Laity award re-affirms the work and creativity of the people at the local church who are committed to reaching out to the community in Christ’s love,” said Williams. “The Cuff cousins exemplify this through the Give-away ministry.”

In addition to hosting a monthly Give-away, the Cuff cousins also prepare 30 baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas for families in need.

​St. John was founded in 1841 and became a hiding place for Native Americans after president Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, according to church historians. Today, the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Tribe is very visible in the community and many tribal members attend the church.  

Native Church Profile: El Reno Indian United Methodist Church

2/11/2019

 
Pastor: Rev. Margaret Johnson

Members of El Reno Indian Fellowship United Methodist Church, in El Reno, Oklahoma, serve their local community in a unique way. The small congregation partnered with Wesley United Methodist Church to place a Blessing Box in front of the church. They keep it stocked with canned goods and food items for anyone who is in need. According to members, they try to keep it stocked with things that can be used immediately such as tuna, chicken, and soups. Members say they hope people who come to the Blessing Box will feel the presence of God, love, peace and comfort.

The congregation represents several Native nations including Seminole, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. The church does not currently have an appointed pastor and meet every other month.  However, church members still hold a monthly Indian taco sale to keep the utilities on at the church. They are also planning to start a Bible study and hold a Valentine party for the children in the area.

Church members are requesting funds to purchase easy to eat food that does not require heating such as Vienna sausages, crackers, peanut butter cracker snacks and small bottles of water.
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Native Church Profile: Every Nation United Methodist church

2/5/2019

 
.Pastor: Rev. Murray Crookes

Every Nation United Methodist Church is a new church start in Anchorage, Alaska. Bishop Elaine Stanovsky appointed the Rev. Murray Crookes to lead the ministry in August 2018.  Crooks says he has engaged in active listening within the community and he is working on building partnerships with neighbors to create a ministry that serves the people in the area.  Right now, the ministry offers a weekly free meal which is open to all people. Crookes and his family attend local events and engage in Bible study and prayer with local Native Alaskans. He has shared tribal hymns and has even started learning Inupiaq songs. Murray plans to launch a Sunday morning worship in Spring 2019. Crookes formally served as pastor of the North Oklahoma City Fellowship in Oklahoma City.

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Native Church Profile: Lapwai United Methodist Church

1/22/2019

 
Pastor: Rev. Stephen Kingsley

Lapwai United Methodist Church is located in Lapwai, Idaho, near the Nez Perce Indian reservation. More than half of the 20 active members are Native American. Worship services often include hymns translated into the Nez Perce language. Many of the church members also participate in the tribal circle of elders and hold positions within the tribe. This year, the weekly Bible study is on the Book of Romans, which the Rev. Stephen Kingsley says is inspiring faith and deeper devotion in God’s grace. The Rev. Kingsley baptized nine Native children this past Easter.

Homelessness is a big challenge on the reservation. The church members actively provide meals for those in need. The church also serves as a meeting place for people overcoming addictions.

The church is in need of a van to help get children to church on Sundays.  In addition, funding is needed to help repair and maintain the two church buildings.

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