Native American Sunday

 The following is excerpted from a letter sent by The Rev. Glen Chebon Kernell, Executive Secretary of Native American and Indigenous Ministries, General Board of Global Ministries and Allyson Potts, Executive Director, Loans and Scholarships,
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

 
The United Methodist Church is a connection of many congregations worldwide that share a tradition of serving Jesus Christ. As churches set up new platforms to worship, we become more aware of our connections through Jesus Christ. We are stronger together and a source of hope for a world that is living in fear.

On April 26, 2020, United Methodist churches will gather to celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday. Your gifts to this church-wide Special Sunday help create strong Native American ministries and highlight the gifts and contributions to The United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Prentiss Harris III earned a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University in 2013. Harris is a United Methodist pastor because of the support he received from the offering. “It is important for the church to invest in initiatives like Native American Ministries Sunday because of the need for educated Native persons in ministry in our churches,” said the Rev. David Wilson, conference superintendent, Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.

As you plan your worship service, please remind your congregation about the upcoming Native American Ministries Sunday celebration and ask them to download the resources listed below:

• Ask your youth leaders to use the Youth Resource guide with their United Methodist Youth Fellowship members.
• Encourage speakers to use the sermon starter to support their online message.
• Invite members to download mobile wallpapers to their phones and also share wallpapers on their social media pages.
• Upload posters to your church’s website to remind members about this Special Sunday.
• Use social media cards as visuals to engage participants during worship on your online media platform.
• Pastor and Leader Kit resources are also available in Spanish and Korean. These include a sermon starter, bulletin insert, offering talk, liturgy, poster and social graphics.