Minute for Mission: Native American Day

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“Be still and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10

The biennial conference of Native American Presbyterian Women met on the Gila River Indian Community reservation south of Phoenix on Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, 2024, for their first conference since 2019 due to the pandemic. Participants were welcomed by keynote speaker Elona Street-Stewart, Co-Moderator of the 224th General Assembly (2020). She is a member of the Dela­ware Nanticoke tribe and is the first Native American elected to that office.

Workshops included:

• Presbyterian Ruling Elders Training
• Leadership Development – How Leaders can EQUIP for Maximum Impact
• Worship and Evangelism in Native American Presbyterian Churches
• The Gifts of God and Those They Serve: Opportunities to Serve National                 
• Committees and Boards
• Cultural and Multigenerational Effects of Indian Boarding Schools
• Presbyterian Women Organizations (National and Local)
• Native American Issues and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Response to Them

The Native American Presbyterian Women represent the 98 Presbyterian congregations. The conference is an opportunity for delegates to meet other Native women, learn from workshops, make friends and share ministries from their experiences. The ongoing tradition of an “Apron Exchange” has been a part of the conferences for many years. Many make, buy or donate aprons to exchange with each other in a drawing often created with Native American designs.

Different reservations are chosen to host the conference to highlight various Native American communities and cultures. 

Irvin Porter, Associate for Native American Congregational Support, Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries, Global Ecumenical Liaisons — Interim Unified Agency

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff:

Becky Burton, Data Entry, Funds Development Operations, Administrative Services Group, A Corporation         
Olivia Cacchione, Outreach Specialist, Presbyterian Historical Society, Interim Unified Agency

Let us pray:

Creator God, life’s situations and concerns overwhelm us, but we can still find peace. You are this peace; you are our strength and refuge. When we acknowledge you as God of our lives, when we are still, then we know that you are God. Amen.