News and Views

Native American Ministries Sunday is May 1

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By Neal Christie

May 1 is Native American Ministries Sunday - Learn more.  

Since 1989, United Methodist congregations have observed the third Sunday after Easter as Native American Ministries Sunday — May 1 this year. The purpose is to elevate and support the contributions and voices of Native/Indigenous people in our church. Native American Ministries Sunday serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society and in our communities. With more than 20,000 Native Americans within the denomination, this Special Sunday helps to ensure that Native American United Methodist leaders are recognized and to celebrate their special voice in The United Methodist Church.

This Special Sunday was officially recognized in 1988 and has been celebrated on the Third Sunday of Easter since 1989. An offering is taken on this day and is used to develop and strengthen Native American ministries in the annual conferences, and Native American rural, urban, reservation ministries and communities. It also provides scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist schools of theology.

 The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has compiled suggestions for congregations and individuals wishing to honor native/indigenous people as well as offering a new downloadable infographic. 

Here is the Special Sundays Native American Ministries Pastor and Leader Kit

View this resource from Religion and Race and these resources from the NEJ Native American Ministries Committee. 

 May 5 is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Awareness Day 

Register for this May 5th 1:00-2:3:30 Eastern Time Webinar on Human Trafficking in Honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Facilitated by Rev. Carol Lakota Eastin, Native American International Caucus (NAIC)

May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). 

 According to (MMIW), since 2016, the National Crime Information Center has reported 5,712 cases of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls. Strikingly, the U.S Department of Justice missing persons database has only reported 116 cases. The majority of these murders are committed by non-Native people on Native-owned land. There are numerous reasons, but at the forefront lies the impact of the Indian Relocation Act and federal policies. Only 22% of Native people live on tribal lands or reservations where when someone goes missing, the community and tribal law enforcement band together in search efforts. Too often Native women who live in urban areas fall into a “pipeline of vulnerability”: people of color, young girls coming though the foster care system and economic insecurity and impoverishment, increases in domestic and intimate partner violence and trafficking. 

 April 29 – May 5 is a call for the nation and the world to raise awareness and take action in honor of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

 The Native American International Caucus encourages you to bring awareness through events and education. Below you will find resources to help plan you awareness event and do your part to end the violence! Click below to read our Justice for MMIW Event guidance for ideas on what you can do. 

 How can we do our part? 

 These are resources to help plan you awareness event and do your part to end the violence. Here are several resources to focus on MMIWG Awareness May 5, 2022.

Please also consider following and liking our MMIW Awareness Facebook Page here:

To learn more how you can support the BWC Native American Awareness Ministries, go the BWC Native American Ministries webpage or contact: Jill Maisch  or Richard Church  , co-chairs.

A Mission Moment:  A Message to Share with your Congregation

May 1st is Native American Ministries Sunday 

 Since 1989, United Methodist congregations have observed the third Sunday after Easter as Native American Ministries Sunday. The purpose of this Special Sunday is to equip and celebrate ministries that empower Native American congregations to find fresh and culturally appropriate ways to minister to their communities with Christ’s love.

 The offering taken on this Special Sunday supports Native American Ministries both within our Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference and elsewhere. Part of the offering helps to provide scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist schools of theology. Funds are also used to build new and support current Native American ministries in rural, urban, and reservation settings.

Besides giving generously on Native American Ministries Sunday, United Methodists are encouraged to build awareness of the ongoing issues faced by Native Americans. An event coming up soon is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Day on May 5. Information about this important day of awareness and suggestions for action are on the conference Native American Ministry web page.

 

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