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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

NEWSBRIEF

September 13, 1996

LUTHERAN NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRY

A week of "Listening and Learning in Partnership with Native
Americans" is a continuing education opportunity for about 30
leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  "The
target is pastors and associates in ministry serving near Indian
reservations or Native American communities," said Dr. Rodney C.
Maeker, director, cross-cultural education, Luther Seminary, St.
Paul, Minn.  The program will be held Oct. 7-11 at the Episcopal
Retreat Center, Mission, S.D., with the Sicangu Lakota people of
the Rosebud Sioux Reservation.  A sweat lodge will be offered
during the conference, and the entire reservation will be invited
to a Thursday evening powwow.  "It is an effort to meet on Native
American turf and to hear particularly what Native American
elders and tribal people have to say about congregational
ministry," said Maeker.  Participants will visit the Indian
Health Hospital, tribal offices, Sinte Gleska University and
other vital service and economic enterprises on the reservation.
Cecelia Fire Thunder, a Rosebud elder, will speak on social
realities of the reservation.  Robert Gough, a tribal attorney,
will discuss tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.  Rita Means
will talk about Indian religious freedom, sacred sites,
repatriation and prisoner rights.  The Rev. Larry M. Peterson,
director of Native American ministries for the ELCA's South
Dakota Synod, will review ways Lutheran congregations can
minister in a Native American context.  The Rev. Andrea DeGroot-
Nesdahl, bishop of the South Dakota Synod, will preach during
closing worship.  Seminar leaders include Dr. Martin Brokenleg,
professor of minority studies, Augustana College, Sioux Falls,
S.D.; the Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, All Nations Indian
Church, Minneapolis; the Rev. Jon W. Magnuson, campus pastor,
Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mich.; and Ramona Soto
Rank, ELCA Church Council member, Portland, Ore.

For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service,
(312) 380-2958 or AHAFFTEN@ELCA.ORG; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir.,
(312) 380-2955 or FRANKI@ELCA.ORG