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[PCUSANEWS] Native American group honors pioneer


From PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>
Date 30 May 2003 23:01:00 -0400

Note #7798 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Native American group honors pioneer
GA03109

Native American group honors pioneer

Soon-to-retire Dubuque Seminary professor showered with accolades 

by Midge Mack

DENVER, May 30	- His friends often tell stories on him, because they love
him and he's a good sport. This year they honored him as well.
	
     He's Henry Fawcett, of the Tsinshian tribe, now of Dubuque, IA, whose
40-year ministry among Native Americans has taken him from his Metlakatla,
AK, home village on Annette Island, to the faculty of Dubuque Seminary.
Fawcett, a graduate of Sheldon Jackson College, the Presbyterian-related
institution in Sitka, AK, served pastorates in Nebraska, Minnesota and
Washington before landing in Dubuque.

      The honors came at his retirement celebration during the 215th General
Assembly. Fawcett will retire in July after two decades as pastor of students
at the University of Dubuque and director of the Native-American program at
Dubuque Seminary, which provides scholarship and placement assistance to
Native-American students.

Because of the program - and Fawcett's devotion to it - the seminary can
claim more Native-American graduates this year (six) than any other
Presbyterian seminary.

     Fawcett is also a member of the board of trustees of Cook College and
Theological School in Tempe, AZ. He served a lengthy term as moderator of the
Native American Consulting Committee, and in 1974, he was a candidate for
moderator of the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America.

     It was in that pivotal year of 1974 that Moderator Lois Stair named the
first Native American to the General Assembly Nominating Committee, after
which Native Americans' participation in church leadership increased tenfold.
    

     Fawcett's friend, Ralph Scissons, of Owyhee, NV, the current moderator
of the Native American Consulting Committee, says Fawcett's call to ministry
was like those of Jesus' earliest disciples - it came while he was fishing.

      Scissons also recalls Fawcett's years at Sheldon Jackson, where chapel
was (and is) compulsory. Students take turns leading worship and preaching.
On one occasion, when it was Fawcett's turn to preach, he and a friend went
early to the chapel and removed all the chairs. Worshipers had to stand that
day - and Fawcett wrote to his parents that he'd preached to a
standing-room-only audience.

     Among numerous gifts presented to Fawcett during the Tuesday-evening
dinner meeting of the Native American Consulting Committee, was a plaque from
the Dubuque seminary and a ceramic Communion set crafted by a Laguna-Pueblo
potter. The program also featured Native American musicians and PowerPoint
presentation on Fawcett's career.

     The Native American Consulting Committee is composed of representatives
of eight synods, plus eight at-large members. It includes people of Choctaw,
Cherokee, Laguna-Navajo, Nez Perce, San Felipe Pueblo, Seneca, Sioux and
Tsinshian heritage.    

     Fawcett and his wife, BeNita, will remain in Dubuque, where their foster
son, Jefferey Bulloch, serves as president of the University of Dubuque.
Fawcett says he intends to continue with the ministry closest to his heart -
one-on-one counseling with Native American students. 

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