JuDee Anderson, chairperson of the Yellowstone Conference CONAM, talks about her experience at the recent Western Jurisdiction Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) meeting.
Your gifts on Native American Ministries Sunday helps support the ministries of the Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) in their perspective annual conferences. This offering serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society.
The Yellowstone committee met to discuss their work and plan their future focus with Native American communities in the western United Methodist conferences. Anderson felt that the day was a success. "What a joy it was to be present and participating ... I met new people as we all contemplated our work and how to focus in the coming years."
Among the presenters at the meeting was the Bishop Minerva G. Carcano of the California-Nevada Conference. Anderson relays that she was "blessed by the presence and thoughtful contributions of Bishop Carcano."
The mission of the Yellowstone Annual Conference Committee on Native American Ministry (CONAM) and Healing Relationships is to create opportunities to bring people together to build authentic relationships with Native Americans for justice, healing and wholeness; to promote and determine the distribution of the Native American Ministries Sunday offering; to guide and implement a process within the Yellowstone Annual Conference to resource new and developing Native American ministries within the conference; by:
- Examining our own attitudes, beliefs and actions;
- Identifying people who have the heart for this ministry and supporting their learning and preparation to begin conversations with indigenous people;
- Seeking occasions to mindfully approach appropriate tribal members and authorized representatives of Native American organizations;
- Bringing relationships forward for the purpose of listening and learning;
- Participating in the lives of Native American brothers and sisters both within and outside of the church;
- Advocating for system change within our conference, the worldwide church, and society that will lead toward ceasing harm, acknowledgment of our guilt and a commitment to living differently.
"Although I had to leave early to catch my plane, the focus as I left was on the Doctrine of Discovery and the Acts of Repentance," Anderson continued. "We were nourished by the shared experiences and goals for the work of CONAM."
Anderson also expressed joy to be a part of this ministry, saying "I am grateful to Creator for bringing me to this work and to such a powerful group of people supporting and encouraging ourselves."
JuDee Anderson, Chair, Yellowstone Conference CONAM
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.
