wfn.org | Indian Caucus Nominates Director

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (2975 notes).

Note 2975 by UMNS on May 28, 1996 at 15:55 Eastern (3346 characters).

SEARCH: Native American, NAIC, caucus, church, United Methodist,
Deer

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CONTACT: Linda Green                           261(10-34-71){2975}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470              May 28, 1996

Full-time director nominated for 
Native American International Caucus

                 by United Methodist News Service

     The treasurer for two Native American tribes in Oklahoma has 
been nominated to become the first full-time executive director of
the United Methodist Church's Native American International Caucus
(NAIC).
     The Rev. Alvin Deer, a member of the Kiowa and Creek tribes
and fiscal controller of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes was
chosen by a seven-member search committee on May 18 to head the
28-year-old caucus.  A mail ballot is being sent to the 44 NAIC
members for approval.
     Deer also is pastor of Native American United Methodist
congregations in El Reno and Kingfisher, Oklahoma. 
     He received his ministerial training from Perkins School of
Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas. He received a
bachelor's degree in business administration from the University
of Oklahoma.
      NAIC is an advocacy group working to empower Native American
ministries, churches and programs throughout the denomination.
     Deer has been selected to replace the Rev. Sam Wynn,
Fayetteville, N.C., who is leaving the NAIC staff position for an
appointment as District Superintendent in the North Carolina
Annual Conference. 
     If Deer is elected, the NAIC office will relocate from
Fayetteville, N.C. to El Reno, Okla., on July 1.
     Since the NAIC was established in 1968, its executive has
been a part-time responsibility, but following the 1996 annual
conference season it becomes a full-time appointment beyond the
local church. An appointment beyond the local church is granted to
clergy who serve in ministries other than as pastors of
congregations.
     "I know Alvin will do an excellent job of being a positive
advocate for the Native American community," Wynn said. He said
Deer can dedicate more time to performing caucus duties as well as
time visiting native communities.
     Deer said he hopes the NAIC can build new bridges for
ministry.
     "We must begin to pull down barriers in the church and
improve relations," he said.
     Earlier this year, Deer presented the 1996 United Methodist
General Conference with a resolution to extend a hand of
reconciliation for the 1864 massacre of more than 200 Native
Americans, mostly women and children, led by a Methodist lay
preacher. 
     The 1864 massacre "still affects the lives of the Cheyenne
and Arapaho people," Deer said. "The people carry deep scars ...
that manifest themselves, even today, both socially and
spiritually."
     The General Conference responded and asked forgiveness for
the deaths of tribal members who died in Colorado.
     Four Native American congregations in the Cheyenne and
Arapaho areas, are part of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary
Conference. 
                              #  #  #

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