PC(USA) - Native American Congregational Support

Native American Congregational Enhancement


	First Presbyterian Church, Flandreau, South Dakota. Photo courtesy of First Presbyterian Church Native American Congregational Support The Native American Congregational Support Office’s purpose is to enable the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to respond to Native American congregational issues, enable Native American Presbyterians to participate actively in the mission of the PC(USA), facilitate the church's task of evangelism and leadership development and serve as a liaison to ecumenical and denominational entities in relation to issues affecting Native American Presbyterian churches and chapels.


	American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving From The National Museum of the American Indian This teaching poster, designed for educators and students grades 4-8, examines the deeper meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday for American Indians through the themes of environment, community, encounters and innovations. Appropriate for use at any time during the year, the poster includes information that is essential to understanding and teaching about American Indians along with compelling images and ideas for classroom activities. The National Museum of the American Indian provides additional resources to use with the poster as well as educational resources on Native American histories and cultures.


	‘I Love to Tell the Story’ Add this video to your Web site or blog. The Native American Consulting Committee, aka the Native American caucus related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), developed this visual presentation of Native American Ministry within the church. One sees a glimpse of faith expressed from a select number of communities. While loss of identity, language and culture created historical trauma given expression in different ways today, faith in God has been central to the worship of God. Family identity is deeply rooted to their church. While the video was completed in 1994, it is good to see the story as it was told then, which is not so different from today. This video has been converted to a DVD with a running time of 33 minutes and is available through the Office of Native American Congregational Support. Contact the office at (502) 569-5684 or email Sallie Cuaresma.


	Support Native American Urban Ministry A high priority for church growth is directed toward Native American peoples through an urban strategy. United States Census data reflect more Native Americans residing in urban areas rather than reservations or rural areas. The focus is on identifying and developing ministry in consultation with Native Americans with a Presbyterian background or with those who have not connected with a Presbyterian church since entering an urban area. E051002 Goal: $20,000


	Theological Context

	The Church of Jesus Christ is built on the universal love of God and its power to transform people of every race, culture and class into a community living together as the Household of God. If the church honestly recognizes the gift of Christ as a cherished possession and genuinely manifests that gift in joyful celebration, then it will naturally be a gift to all people. This is the essence of the message in both the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:36-40) and the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20, Mark 16: 14-18).


	Historical Context

	The Congregational Enhancement offices were created as part of the 1986 Structural Design for Mission to ensure that the PC(USA) would become a racially inclusive and just denomination by means of enhancing racial ethnic congregations. The specific circumstances were the reunion of the two previous denominations in which the racial ethnic membership was in jeopardy of serious decline and congregations needed strengthening in order to produce a vital racial ethnic witness and leadership. The Native American Congregational Support Office and the Native American Consulting Committee (NACC) work collaboratively on issues related to Native American Ministries. The Native American Congregational Support is available to assist synods and presbyteries, congregations and others in developing a partnership for new ministry with Native Americans. On this Web site you'll find various synods and presbyteries, ministries and committees, related institutions, resources and events related to Native Americans.


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