Mourning the passing of the Rev. Cynthia Abrams

Dear Friends and Relations,
 
We join with you in mourning the passing of a dear sister, the Rev. Cynthia Abrams. 
 
We have all looked with pride for many years upon the service of Cynthia at one of our United Methodist agencies, the General Board of Church and Society.  As a senior staff member there, she looked out for the interests of Native American and Indigenous Peoples, as well as the general church. 
 
Cynthia served as a board member of the Native American Comprehensive Plan (NACP) in its formative years in the early 1990s. Her contributions helped to shape the NACP into what it has become today.  One of the many ways she gave back to our Native Nations and Peoples was through her willingness to share her gifts of leadership and experience.  During my tenure as Executive Director for the Native American Comprehensive Plan, we called upon her many times to lead workshops and serve on panel discussions for topics of great importance to our communities.  Cynthia was also a key resource person in the area of health and addiction issues.  She was always willing to serve as an advisor and resource person for NACP projects.
 
I remember with gratitude her consultation on legislation and resolutions relating to Native Americans for the 2016 General Conference.  She gave many, many hours of writing and editing of critical material for the Native American International Caucus, NACP and other Indigenous entities.
 
It was a blessing to me to know her and to call her friend.  On so many levels we will miss her as we continue our own journeys in this life, but we will be with her again when the time is right.
 
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” -- Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

Respectfully,

The Rev. Anita Phillips
Executive Director
Native American Comprehensive Plan

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