The United Methodist Church, the world and our communities are in a time of transition and we are invited to partner with God in this season of restoration. One of the ways that we do this as a denomination is through our Special Sunday offerings. On Sunday, May 7th our offering joins with other United Methodist Church offerings to celebrate and strengthen Native American ministries.
For example, the 2021-2024 Quadrennial Vision for the United Methodist Native American Comprehensive Plan emphasizes four areas of focus:
• preserving Indigenous language,
• understanding Indigenous spirituality,
• addressing the epidemic of violence against Indigenous women and children, and
• seeking climate justice globally.
On Native American Ministries Sunday (NAMS), we partner with other UMC congregations in a special offering to support these focus areas by equipping and empowering Native American pastors, congregations and seminary students to worship and serve Jesus freely as Native American United Methodists. Half of our gifts stay with local ministries in this conference and half support the work of Native American United Methodist ministries nationally.
- Funds collected for NAMS partner with existing Native American ministries to create beneficial programs.
- 25% of every donation on NAMS provides scholarships.
- The UMC has a seminary scholarship for Native Americans.
May 1-May 7, 2023 is the National Week of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women And People. Take action with the Muckleshoot Tribe or the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, or learn about our state legislature’s recent action on missing and murdered Indigenous women and people.
Read about the Circle of Indigenous Ministries to learn what the Greater Northwest Area is doing in Portland, Chiloquin, the Wallowas, and beyond!
And don’t forget to bring your gift on Sunday, or make it online.