Resources for Native American Ministries
Sunday – April 6, 2008
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Date:
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(Third Sunday of Easter—two weeks after Easter) - April 6, 2008
If the designated date has occurred or if it conflicts with your local church’s calendar, please select an alternate date for your congregation’s observance of Native American Ministries Sunday.
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Purpose:
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“This Sunday serves to remind the Church of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society.” (Par. 264.6, The Book of Discipline 2004)
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History:
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In a petition to the 1988 General Conference, the Native American International Caucus proposed Native American Awareness Sunday, and delegates approved the new
church-wide Special Sunday with offering. The 2000 General Conference changed the name of the observance to Native American Ministries Sunday.
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Recipient:
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The annual conference keeps 50 percent of the receipts to develop and strengthen Native American ministries within the conference. The conference committee on Native American ministry administers these funds. Northern Illinois Ministry of Presence has two locations one in the Chicago land area which is connected with the Roman Catholic Ministry (Anawim Center) where Bill Buchholtz is our coordinator. In Chicago we also have a presence at the American Indian Center, with Rev. Michelle Oberwise Lacock
actively involved and a member of the Board of Directors of the American
Indian Center. Our ministry out in the western side of our conference is
coordinated by Eliza Gates, a member of the Conference Committee on Native
American Ministries. Please see our past historical reports for further
information about all of our activities.
The other 50 percent of the receipts provides scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist and other approved schools of theology.
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Receipts:
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In 2005, the Native American Ministries Sunday offering totaled $354,522, an average of only 4 cents per U.S. member. Remember: $1 per member per Special Sunday offering makes a big difference! Please give generously.
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Please note:
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Northern Illinois Annual Conference Chair of the Conference Committee on Native American Ministries, Rev. Michelle Oberwise Lacock can be contacted at 630-336-2317 (cell) or home phone is 630-551-0511 or by email at Mickiol@aol.com. We have members of the committee who are willing to come to your church and speak, please contact me if you are interested.
Please note: According to The Book of Discipline 2004 (Par. 650),
“Every local church at charge conference shall designate by nomination and election a minimum of 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.” Make sure your congregation elects someone for this important role.
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