wfn.org | Native American Consulting Committee Honors Gene Wilson

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99061 
23-June-1999 
 
               Native American Consulting Committee 
                        Honors Gene Wilson 
 
 
FORT WORTH - The Native American Consulting Committee (NACC), tonight 
honored the Rev. Gene Wilson for all his work on behalf of Native Americans 
in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  He was given a beautifully woven 
blanket in recognition of his more than 30 years work on behalf of Native 
Americans. 
     Seven speakers told the 100 people gathered at NACC's annual dinner, 
about the history of the Presbyterian Church's involvement with native 
peoples and of ongoing work.  Wilson reviewed the history of NACC and its 
predecessors.  He summarized by saying that the Presbyterian Church's work 
with Native peoples has moved from a "centralized to decentralized 
ministry," and from a ministry "to" Native Americans to a ministry "with" 
Native Americans. 
     June Lorenzo reported on the Task Force on Native American Ministries. 
Lozenao, a lawyer with the Indian Law and Resource Center, Washington, 
D.C., told commissioners that the Task Force has three tasks.  The first is 
to study the history of ministry and mission to and with Native Americans. 
The second is to look at current programs and the situation of Native 
peoples.  The third is to develop "recommendations for the next century" 
for work with Native Americans.  She reported that the Presbyterian Church 
currently has 110 Native congregations in eight synods.  Native Americans 
comprise 1% of the membership of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), she 
reported. 
     Lisa Hart gave highlights of the work of the American Indian Youth 
Council.  Hart is from Kamiah, Idaho.  She said that one message they are 
trying to get to Indian youth is "there are a lot more things to do in the 
church than just go to church."  
      
     Angie Bohanon from the Choctaw Larger Parish, Okla., reported on 
NACC's Youth Adult Ministry.  She noted that the next consultation for 
young adults will be held in Daytona Beach March 8-10, 2000 .   
     Sallie Curaesma reported on her work as the denomination's Associate 
for Native American Congregational Enhancement.  She said that of the 40 
ordained Native American ministers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 
"about 1/3 are active as pastors, 1/3 are retired, and 1/3 are working in 
other positions, either within or outside the church."  She noted that more 
Native American candidates for the ministry were needed. 
     She also said that the strongest feature of Native American churches 
was their Commissioned Lay Pastors.  She listed five priorities for her 
work:  being a clearinghouse for providing mission opportunities for 
congregations; establishing new Native congregations and building up 
existing ones; working with the Task Force on Native American Ministries; 
youth and young adult ministries; and urban ministries. 
      Elona Street-Stewart, Associate for Racial Ethnic Ministries and 
Community Empowerment in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, spoke about the 
need for better communication among the Native American churches. 
Street-Stewart chairs the denomination's Advocacy Committee on Racial 
Ethnic Concerns.  
     She said that communication among Native Americans themselves and with 
other Presbyterians was critical in order to carry on effective ministry. 
She pointed out that "our churches do not have offices; our pastors don't 
either.  When you call the church you are calling someone's home; when you 
mail things, they go to someone's home or post office box, if they can 
afford one." These facts, and how spread out Native Americans are across 
the country, doubles the importance of good communications, she stressed.   
     The Rev. Dr. Henry Faucett gave an update on Dubuque Seminary's 
program for Native American students.  He reported that in the fall 10 
students will be enrolled in the Master of Divinity program.  Dubuque gives 
full scholarships for all expenses plus a stipend to Native American 
students.  Faucett also told the crowd that the seminary's Board of 
Trustees recently reaffirmed their support for this program. 
     Randel Bohanon, moderator of the NACC, welcomed the guests and 
introduced the speakers. Elaine Guthrie, vice-moderator, gave the 
invocation.  The Rev. Clark Chamberlin, stated clerk of the Synod of the 
Sun and an enrolled member of the Cherokee nation, offered the benediction. 
 
Peggy Rounseville 

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