Nov 19, 2025 | Barbara Revere

Many years ago, upon the land of the EPA & GNJ Annual Conferences, the original people lived here. They roamed our Conference land in harmony, love, and peace. White colonists came to the Lenape land in the 1680s and William Penn arrived in 1682. The death of William Penn in 1718 started the devastation of the Lenape people. Lenape land was stolen by the white colonists, and the Lenape people went into hiding to protect their lives, with many tribal members relocating to Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Some members of the Lenape tribe remained hiding in their homeland. Today, most of the Lenape community reside in Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Canada. In 1865, after years of struggling to build and form a Native American Church, St. John UMC in Bridgeton, NJ was dedicated. St. John UMC continues to serve the marginalized in their community.

Our founder, John Wesley, viewed relationships as expressions of love for God and neighbor. We know that as part of our Methodist heritage, John Wesley had a burning desire to work with the Native American people in Susannah, Georgia when he arrived in 1736 and circumstances beyond his control prevented him from being able to do so. Many years later, the UMC launched the Native American Comprehensive Plan which is the foundation for its committee on Native American Ministries in 1988. The plan was developed by the United Methodist Church General Council to serve Native American people, families, and communities by supporting their contributions to the Christian faith.

The Eastern PA Committee on Native American Ministry, (CoNAM) was formed after the United Methodist Church General Conference held an Act of Repentance with Native Peoples in 2012. This act challenges the church to implement actions for repentance and healing, which led to the conference’s formation of the committee to address Native American issues and education. The committee continues to be active, organizing events such as educational programs to learn about the history and ongoing issues related to Native Americans. If you are finding within yourself that you would like to join the EPA CoNAM, please contact Barbara Revere at bre2696294@aol.com.

Check out CoNAM’s activities from the past year below. If you are interested in discussing further any of these activities, please reach out to Barbara Revere at bre2696294@aol.com and she will connect you with the appropriate person.

EPA CoNAM Annual Report 2025

EPA Committee on Native American Ministries has a Team leader with rotating leadership among the 11 active members with additional members as Resource/Advisory, members emeritus, and new members joining the team. EPA CoNAM partners with GNJ CoNAM.

A summary of 2025 from to October 2024- October 2025 follows:

  • Presentation of The Loss of Turtle Island interpretative exercise at Franklin and Marshall College, November 7, 2024; Circle of Legacy Center at the Community Mennonite Church, Lancaster on March 14, 2025. Students from University of West Virginia joined them; Women of Faith East District, October 11, 2025, at Lansdale UMC.
  • The group voted to send a letter of gratitude to Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) whose term as Secretary of the Interior under President Joe Biden ended.
  • Vendor table at Annual Conference, May 20-22, Wildwood NJ, with informational materials. EPA CoNAM collaborated with GNJ CoNAM on a Land Acknowledgement video at the Annual Conference and at the NEJ Conference. CoNAM presented a resolution establishing a Congressional Truth and Healing Commission. The conference passed it.
  • Two beloved and committed CoNAM members, Bill Seybold and Bob Coombe, passed away. The group is exploring ways to honor their commitment to Native Americans.
  • Native American Ministries Program June 29, 2025.
  • NEJNAMC Annual Meeting set for October 25, 2025, 9-4 on ZOOM.

EPA CoNAM members were involved in events and activities:

  • Jim Thorpe Sports Days at the Army War College and reception at Carlisle UMC Carlisle PA, April 24-26, 2025. Bryan Brewer, Oglala Sioux, was the special guest invited but not able to visit.
  • Indigenous People’s Day, Philly, October 13, 2025.
  • Served as speaker at churches on Native American Ministries Sunday, May 4, 2025.
  • Supported Marshallton UMC project to repair the ramp access at St. John UMC on May 31, 2025. Training for the project was May 18.
  • Worked with Marshallton UMC on their land acknowledgement statement which was celebrated with a Land Acknowledgement and Welcome on October 12, 2025.
  • Participated in “Pages for Progress: Witness at Sand Creek” General Board of Church and Society, October 10, 17, 24, 2025.

EPA CoNAM provides financial support for Native Americans in various ways:

  • Scholarships for Native Americans. Provided scholarships for three indigenous youth to continue their educations.
  • Education and awareness of Native American issues and advocating for their rights.
  • Mission trips to reservations and communities that support Native Americans.
  • Support for Native American businesses by purchasing items that help to fulfill our mission to “raise awareness of the history, traditions and contributions of Native Americans in our churches and communities.”