Be an ally. Create awareness of an issue impacting Native Americans. Some examples:
- Learn about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women–http://www.redressproject.org/; https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/redress-project/
- Click here to download the worship liturgy “Remember Their Names” created by CoNAM members Rev. Suzanne Duchesne, PhD.
- Learn about the Negative impact of sports mascots—http://www.changethemascot.org/
- Learn about protecting sacred lands and National Monuments from exploitation—https://www.npca.org/advocacy/
Acknowledge the land. It is important to know the history of the land where you live and worship. Research local geography for precolonial inhabitants, those who were removed, what happened to them, and what place names remain.
- Search for historical markers or plaques for your county or local area: http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/apps/historical-markers.html
- An example of land acknowledgement for our Conference area: “Recognition of the Land— Susquehannocks.” A similar acknowledgement can be created for the Lenni Lenape. Source: Indians in Pennsylvania by Paul A. W. Wallace.
Research the Doctrine of Discovery. Learn the history not taught in schools and share it with your small group or congregation. A good website: www.dofdmenno.org.
Share the story. Find stories of Native peoples and their origins. Coyote Places the Stars by Harriet Taylor is a good example. Tell your own stories of how your ancestors came to settle on the land. Reflect on how your stories intersect with those of Native peoples. Note the impact of this intersection on both your settler ancestors and Native inhabitants. Incorporate these stories into a worship service.
- Coyote Places the Stars is available at cokesbury.com.
Use UMC Resources. Find stories, videos, bulletin inserts and more at umcgiving.org and share them to show the impact you are making with your gifts to Native American Ministries Special Sunday Offering. Go to umcgiving.org/NAMS
- For worship resources go to https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadership-resources/native-american
- Click here to download the worship liturgy “Water is Life”
Visit St John UMC. The closest Native American congregation to EPA Conference is also one of the oldest Native American churches in the nation. They welcome visitors every fifth Sunday when they plan a special Native American worship service.
Come to Camp Innabah. Did you know that the name “Innabah” was given by the Navajo People to the daughter of the man who donated the original $5,000 to purchase the property on which the camp was founded in 1929? EPA CoNAM has a program at Camp Innabah every spring and fall featuring guest speakers, presentations and worship. Join us as together we “walk the good road,” learning and worshiping together.
Contact us. For more information about resources and speakers send us an email: epaconam@gmail.com, and be sure to explore the further resources below.
Native American Ministries Resources
- CoNAM Brochure
- Discipleship Ministries Leadership Resources: Native American
- The introduction to the Act of Repentance, video 1 (4 minutes)
- George Tinker’s sermon excerpt video: Repentance is an Ongoing Process (4 minutes)
- Native American Sunday poster & giving envelopes are available for free at Umcgiving.org
- Order Culture Cards (free) (through a government agency; maximum quantity 50 per person): 877-726-4727
- UMC Book of Discipline: Paragraph 654
- Singing the Sacred: Book $12.95, CD $12.95 at Shopumc.org
- Voices: Native American Hymns & Worship Resources, Amazon.com – used from $44.94; new from $84.21
- A Native American Interpretation of Psalm 23
- Find a Pow Wow to attend or view online: Powwows.com
- Issues confronting Native Americans today: Lastrealindians.com
- “The Act of Repentance” Powerpoint (in PDF form) developed for 2015 Bishop’s Days on the Districts
- Role and Responsibility of the Native American Ministries Representative in the Local Church
- Resources from CONAM’s “Hidden Figures” presentation on April 19, 2020:
- A link to the google drive which contains the presentation From April 19 and the power point presentation can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Zu1dgoQ3SBKS9UrmUgANAOwFlqWinpQL?usp=sharing
- A link to the NEJ website with an edited form of the power point presentation which would be useful for worship can be found here: https://www.nejnamc.org/worship-resources
- An edited video link can be found here – visit the NEJNAMC YouTube channel for other videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdQVIl8uj48&feature=youtu.be