NAMS: Congregation celebrates Native members and neighbors
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Marie Child, an Enid Intertribal Council member, explains Native regalia displayed at Enid-First for Native American Awareness Sunday.
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"This Sunday gave us an opportunity to present Native peoples as contemporary community members, with unique tribal cultures, languages, spiritual beliefs and dress,” said the Rev. David Wiggs, First United Methodist Church, Enid, Okla. “We celebrated that Native peoples are a valuable part of our present and our future.”
Most United Methodists observe Native American Ministries Sunday in April, but congregations can celebrate it any time of the year. Enid leaders chose Nov. 1. November is Native American Heritage Month.
"This gave First UMC a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with the Enid Intertribal Council and their Native American Heritage Week," explained Renee Hoover, a member of both the church and the council.
To assure the congregation wove Native traditions throughout the worship service, Wiggs, Hoover and worship arts director Thom Whitaker worked closely with the council. During the special day, council members shared artwork and regalia in the church lobby and answered questions. Council members also participated in worship.
The altar featured ceremonial Native items such as cedar, sweet grass and an eagle feather. The table was draped with a buffalo robe and a Pendleton blanket. A Muscogee horn—blown in all four directions—called the congregation to worship.
Special music by Native flutist Virgil Tawkoyty highlighted the offertory. Congregational singing included "Heleluyan," a Creek traditional hymn.
The Sunday service marked the beginning of Native American Heritage Week. A bulletin insert publicized council events: the Native American Food Tasting and the Intertribal Powwow. The insert included an explanation of powwows, a guide to powwow etiquette and text from the poster "Teaching Respect for Native Peoples."
Members responded enthusiastically. Some volunteered their families’ Native histories and connections and expressed interest in the intertribal council. Several shared about family marriages into Native families and their desires to understand and respect tribal culture.
--Adapted from the Oklahoma Conference Web site
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