> Native American ministries 

Celebrate Native American Ministries in your church this year (Press release, 3/14/12)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | TN UMC Native American Ministries
Contact: Mary T Newman (615.329.1177, email)

“In reading the history of Tennessee I have discovered that there were several tribes of Native Americans in this part of the country when the English and French came here. They have been here much longer than the Caucasians and others who now inhabit the great state of Tennessee. Some 18,000-20,000 Native Americans still live in the state. We are fortunate to have them as friends and neighbors--and some of them are members of The United Methodist Church.

It is very appropriate that we set aside a day each year to honor the Native Americans with their proud history and traditions. They enrich our churches and our Annual Conference. So it is a privilege for me to recommend that all our churches in the Tennessee Conference set aside a Sunday to honor and recognize the contributions of Native Americans that are a part of our church and our state. May God bless the contributions they make to our way of life and the contributions many of them make to The United Methodist Church.” -Bishop Ben R.Chamness

Native American Ministry Sunday is the third Sunday after Easter according to the United Methodist Church calendar. The Committee on Native American Ministries, known as CONAM, is charged by The Book of Discipline with providing resources to the local church. With a strong commitment to dispel myths and misunderstandings about Native American cultures and traditions-especially pertaining to spirituality, the committee has garnered or developed audio/video resources, displays, study materials and have qualified speakers available.

> CLICK HERE to see resources from the global United Methodist Church

This season of the year already has several Special Sundays designated. Due to that fact, CONAM suggests and
encourages that the celebration and recognition of Native American Ministry Sunday be any time during the year, even up to the season of Advent.

The offering is used by the Tennessee Annual Conference CONAM for hands-on ministry and seminarian scholarships for Native Americans. The offering is also used for other educational endeavors/projects with Native Americans.

FOr further information about celebrating a Special Sunday dedicated to Native American Ministries, please contact Mary T Newman at 615.329.1177 or mtnewman@tnumc.com for resources and more.

Video: Casey Church, explains the special day; talks of it as a way it is giving back to the Native American community and to support Native American students.

Native American Awareness Sunday 2011 from Global Ministries on Vimeo.

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Bishop Chamness: 'set aside a Sunday to honor Native Americans' (Press release, 2/15/12)

TN UMC Committee on Native American Ministries
Contact: Mary T Newman (mtnewman@tnumc.org)

Native American Resource Day, March 4, 2012 - Bishop Chamness encourages Special Sunday be set aside in your church to honor Native Americans

"In reading the history of Tennessee I have discovered that there were several tribes of Native Americans in this part of the country when the English and French came here. They have been here much longer than the Caucasians and others who now inhabit the great state of Tennessee. Some 18,000-20,000 Native Americans still live in the state. We are fortunate to have them as friends and neighbors--and some of them are members of The United Methodist Church.

It is very appropriate that we set aside a day each year to honor the Native Americans with their proud history and traditions. They enrich our churches and our Annual Conference. So it is a privilege for me to recommend that all our churches in the Tennessee Conference set aside a Sunday to honor and recognize the contributions of Native Americans that are a part of our church and our state. May God bless the contributions they make to our way of life and the contributions many of them make to The United Methodist Church." - Bishop Ben R. Chamness

> DOWNLOAD Native American Resource Day flyer
> See this on the calendar

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10th Annual ‘Mocs Rock’ recap (from The Connector, Nov. 2011)

by Mary T Newman, CONAM chair

A full moon rose over Lake Benson Christian Camp in Bon Aqua for our 10th Annual Native Moccasins Rock. Held each year in August, this weekend retreat is always a highly anticipated event. Sponsored by the Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) of the Tennessee Conference UMC, “Mocs Rock” has become a festival with internationally known artists, performers, demonstrators, and speakers. This year, four out of our five jurisdictions were represented and folks from 12 tribes and several states were in attendance. Open to the public, the local church, and the Native American community, the event strives to promote understanding through education.

Building on the trust established through fellowship over the years, CONAM strives to bring in Native American leadership and continues to promote workshops revolving around the traditional and cultural life of Native Americans. A highlight this year was a new workshop exploring the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. Our “Time for Spirit” session invites everyone to assemble to hear a speaker address pertinent issues. Native American author and Interim Director of the Center for Native American Spirituality and Christian Study, Ray Buckley, was our featured speaker this year. Ray briefly addressed historical trauma and then brought us forward into the issues affecting Native Americans today.

Running concurrently with Native Moccasins Rock was a youth track, “Walking the Spirit Path.” Youth Leadership was led by Reverend Anita Phillips, Executive Director of Native American Comprehensive Plan (NACP). The youth also heard from the Native American leaders in attendance during a workshop entitled, “A Native American Presence.” Our leadership met with the youth and shared stories of where they came from and where they are today.

Whether it’s learning to make a river can basket, making or playing a flute, or studying the Cherokee language or Choctaw culture, there is something for everyone. Numerous workshops rotate to continuously add new leadership and topics. For example, stone carver, Freeman Owle, taught soapstone carving. Freeman’s work is featured in the Museum of the American Indian. Another interesting workshop included a popular class on medicinal herbs and plants lead by certified herbalist and operator of a wilderness training school, Darryl Patton.

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we enjoyed a traditional Native American meal of Indian tacos, hominy, and banaha. We turned the meal into a workshop on how to prepare traditional foods!

Sunday worship is in the form of a prayer circle. A reflective and prayerful time, the circle draws us to center ourselves with our great Creator God. Words spoken aloud and silently, we burn the leaf prayer bundles of tobacco, sweet grass, sage, and cedar. As the breeze lifts the prayers to the heavens in a whiff of smoke, we watch as new friends and old depart, already anticipating our time together next year.

Native Moccasins Rock is scheduled for August 10-12, 2012. To join the mailing list, contact Mary T. Newman at the TN Conference Office of Connectional Ministries: mtnewman@tnumc.org; 615.329.1177.
 

This article or a version of it was featured in the TN Conference newsletter The TNUMConnector. Get a full year for only $12!
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