Native American Ministries Sunday: Supporting Native American Ministries in The United Methodist Church

2. History In 1735, John and Charles Wesley sailed from England to Georgia to work as missionaries with the Native Americans. When the colony leadership had them serve only the settlers, the discouraged brothers returned to England. However, they planted a seed that was nurtured and watered over the next 250 years. In a petition to the 1988 General Conference, the Native American International Caucus proposed and delegates approved “Native American Awareness Sunday” to recognize and support the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to the church and the community. The 2000 General Conference changed the name of the observance to “Native American Ministries Sunday.”

3. Your gift educates, evangelizes and enriches. The special offering nurtures mission with Native Americans and provides scholarships for United Methodist Native American seminarians. It allows The United Methodist Church to launch and strengthen Native American ministries, both urban and rural, and to recruit and prepare Native American pastors.

4. Your gift reaches across the United States. Now more than ever, your contributions on Native American Ministries Sunday are critical so The United Methodist Church can honor its commitments to invest in mission that reaches out to more than 20,000 Native Americans. Many are part of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, but Native American United Methodists ministries are far-reaching – from the tip of Florida to the top of Alaska.

5. Your generous gifts on Native American Ministries Sunday support: • Native American ministries within the annual conference • Scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist schools of theology and seminaries approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church (administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry) • Expansion of the number of target cities in the Native American Urban Initiative (related to the General Board of Global Ministries)

6. Changed lives A member of the Potawatomi nation, Ray de Zafra thought he never belonged until he began to feel at home with members of Houston’s Third Sunday Native American Fellowship. His adoptive parents raised him in a culture that did not match his genetic memory and did not encourage him to remain in touch with his Native American heritage. “All my life I’ve been seeking the truth. The Lord blessed me by bringing me into this ministry where I can be who I really am – not only a Potawatomi Indian, but also a child of God.” – Ray de Zafra

7. Changed lives “I received the Native American Seminary Award for graduate work. Scholarships made a huge difference in my life because, otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to go to school. My primary role is to educate people about Indian people and their life. My second role is spiritual leader. Every time Native American Ministries Sunday comes around, I remind my congregations I would not be there if it hadn’t been for this scholarship. I love the church, and any way I can be of service, that’s where I’ll be.” – The Rev. Evelene “Tweedy” Navarette, the first Native American woman received in full connection in The United Methodist Church

8. Changed lives “We provide a children’s vacation Bible school experience Monday through Thursday in the summer. Receiving Native American Ministries Sunday funding through the Dakotas Conference is very important to the program, which provides a food pantry and clothing closet, VBS and a cultural event for volunteer-in-mission teams. The cultural event also provides summer jobs for 15 Native Americans. Funding for these ministries is extremely important.” – Mike Flowers, missionary, Spirit Lake Ministry Center, North Dakota

9. Changed lives “I have worked to find ways to reconcile, celebrate, honor and integrate my identity as a Native American. I have been serving as a pastoral intern and am humbled and inspired by the role of servant leader. I am devoted to seeking common ground and fostering shared ministerial goals of our multicultural church as we continue to grow and build God’s church. The Native American Seminary Award has assisted in the management of appropriate debt and workloads.” – Stephanie Esher, Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe and student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

10. Changed lives “Once when I was grieving the lack of love in my past, the director of New Beginnings gave me a precious teddy bear that would love me no matter what. In a few months, I will be on my own, but another needy, hurting woman will take my place.” – Client, New Beginnings Program, Navajo United Methodist Church, Farmington, N.M.

11. How you can help • Every local church at charge conference is to elect at least one person per charge (without regard to race or ethnic origin) or a designated member of an established church committee to represent the need for better awareness of Native American contributions in the local church. If you do not know who your representative is, ask your pastor. • You can give online at www.umcgiving.org/give-now • You can give through your local church. Write a check to your local church and identify it as “Native American Ministries Sunday offering.” Place it in the offering plate or give it to your church treasurer.

12. Learn more! • Visit our website: www.umcgiving.org/nams • General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, www.gbhem.org • General Board of Global Ministries, www.umcmission.org