Native American Ministries

Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

Mission

The Native American Ministries Committee of the Holston Annual Conference seeks to advocate for ministry with and by Native Americans to share the diverse culture, history and traditions of Native peoples, with an emphasis on those peoples original to and/or living in Holston Conference.

Vision

The committee is in the process of reorganizing and reprioritizing its activities. Over the next four years, the committee will be working to:

  • Become a resource for and promote the importance and observance of Native American Ministries Sunday
  • Become a resource for and promote awareness of the Native American community residing within the bounds of our annual conference, and develop leadership among the Native community
  • Advocate for inclusion of Native American United Methodists to serve at all levels of the church.
  • Develop a series of annual events for Conference clergy and laity designed to provide education about Indigenous culture, spirituality, and contemporary issues of importance to Native Americans and Native Nations including, but not limited to, addressing the epidemic of violence against indigenous women and children, the abuses perpetrated at Indian board schools, economic and infrastructure disparities, and addressing climate justice globally
  • Develop resources for use by clergy and laity in planning and observing Native American Sunday including, educational events, printable materials, worship planning materials, and a list of available speakers
  • Identify and work to secure sources of supplemental funding for NAMC activities and Native American Ministries in Holston Conference to include possible grants and designated donations

The committee currently meets on the second Thursday of each month via Zoom. The committee has requested a change to its standing rules to increase its size from seven to nine members with a goal of one member from each District to take effect in 2023, and would like to encourage members of Holston Conference churches who are Native or who have a sincere interest in helping the committee achieve its goals to contact their District Supervisor to have their names submitted for nomination to the committee. 

For additional information, please contact Rev. Val Ohle, Chair.

(Approved for publishing by NAMC on January 13, 2022)

Resources

Discipleship Ministries

General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR)

The Upper Room

United Methodist Church

UMC Mission

UMC Church & Society

UMC News

 

Resources for Learning About Native Culture:

 

Book Lists:

  • Children’s Books:
    1. UMC Church & Society Book List: https://www.umcjustice.org/news-and-stories/10-great-kids-books-by-indigenous-creators-1371
    2. Frybread: A Native American Family Story, Kevin Noble Maillard, Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, Roaring Brook Press, ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1626727465   ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1626727465
    3. We Are Water Protectors, Carole Lindstrom, Illustrated by Michaela Goade, Roaring Brook Press, ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250203554  ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250203557
       
  • Spiritual & Worship Resources:
    1. Ladder to the Light: An Indigenous Elder’s Meditations on Hope and Courage, Steven Charleston, Broadleaf Books, ISBN 978-1-5064-6573-9
    2. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Milkweed Editions, ISBN 978-1-57131-177-1
    3. Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God, Kaitlin B. Curtice, Baker Publishing Group, ISBN 978-1-58743-431-0
    4. Not Your Princess: Voices of Native American Women, Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, Annick Press, ISBN 
    5. Voices: Native American Hymns and Worship Resources, Marilyn Hofstra, Discipleship Resources, ISBN 0-88177-095-7 (may be out of print)
    6. Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us about Wisdom, Persistence, and Strength, Kat Armas, Brazos Press, ISBN 978-1-58743-508-9

 

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