After leading her congregations in filling and sending shoeboxes filled with goodies to children around the world through Samaritan's Purse, Rev. Katrina Laude and the people of Homer City UMC, Homer City, Pennsylvania did something different.
"I got in touch with the Committee on Native American Ministries through the North Carolina Conference of the UMC. Members of the Lumbee Tribe live in Pembroke, NC and the surrounding area, struggling in poverty," she said. Pastor Laude and a few others from Homer City delivered the boxes to North Carolina, met with the staff and volunteers at a center that works with the community in Strickland Heights Housing Apartments, and visited an after-school program.
Your gifts on Native American Ministries Sunday helps support the ministries of the Committee on Native American Ministries in their annual conferences. This offering serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society.
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| Unloading Car with gifts. Courtesy photo. |
On December 5, 2017, Homer City United Methodist Church assembled and delivered shoeboxes filled with things for children and personal care items to Strickland Heights Housing Apartments in Pembroke, North Carolina. They received over 100 'shoeboxes' and toys just in time for Christmas.
"They were so excited to receive our gifts of shoeboxes, stuffed animals, soccer balls, and personal care items!" she said.
The Native American Cooperative Ministry of the North Carolina Conference includes Native American United Methodist churches three counties in North Carolina and two in South Carolina. NACM's focus areas are Outreach, Leadership Development and Christian Education.
Laude said they'll take another trip to North Carolina in the Fall to deliver shoeboxes, personal care items and other gifts to the Lumbee community.
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Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference website
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, Native American Ministries Sunday serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society. The special offering supports Native American outreach within annual conferences and across the United States and provides seminary scholarships for Native Americans.
When you give generously on Native American Ministries Sunday, you equip seminary students who will honor and celebrate Native American culture in their ministries. You empower congregations to find fresh, new ways to minister to their communities with Christ's love. Give now.
