The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
July 2007

Cornerstones: Emergent Ministries: Native American

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By Nicole D'Arcy

This is an exciting year for the Native American ministries in the Diocese of Utah. Excitement is building not only in our diocese, but across the nation for the upcoming celebration of the Second Decade of Remembrance, Recognition and Reconciliation, the Decade of Action.

The Rev. Richard Mendez, from Church of the Holy Spirit, was there when the Jamestown Covenant was signed and the first decade of reconciliation began over a decade ago.

A general feeling that the first decade had not accomplished its goals and intentions the idea of a second decade for remembrance, recognition and reconciliation was born. November 1, 2007 will mark the beginning of the Second Decade of Remembrance with the signing of the New Jamestown Covenant.

Many parishioners from both St. Elizabeth's and Holy Spirit are hoping to be able to travel to Virginia and attend this historic celebration. The congregations are planning to have bake sales, rummage sales, raffles and whatever other ideas they can come up with to raise the money to be able to attend and be a part of this historical event.

This year at our Diocesan Convention there will be a covenant signing and we will all have an opportunity to show our support and sign the new Jamestown Covenant. All are welcome to sign. The new covenant it is available on the Diocesan website.

Also at this year diocesan convention the Native American community will be sharing their culture with us by means of an instructional Eucharist which is to include the traditional smudging of the altar, a reading in the Ute language, the use of a drum altar and more. This promises to be a wonderfully enriching and educational service.

In addition there are currently two postulants for ordination to the deaconate who have been raised up from the Church of the Holy Spirit, Sue Ann Cotonuts and Ann Brock.

This has been a very long process and a dream since the time of Bishop George Bates, more than 12 years ago. The entire congregation is excited and supportive of their accomplishments.

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