The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue May 2007

Ute Elder Duncan Baptized on Easter

By Sue Duffield

I am awake and clock watching at 5 a.m. on Easter when the alarm is supposed to go off and I find myself wondering "why am I doing this? Why a 6 a.m. Easter Vigil Service?"

Then the bonfire in front of the church and shining faces in the fire light from babes in arms to young children and elders surrounding the rock pit. The Bishop is in her white and gold vestments. Willy Ridley is holding the Paschal Candle on one side of the Bishop, and Charley Denny with her crosier is standing on the other side.

Then as dawn's early light seeps through the church windows behind the altar and Ute tribal elder Clifford Helm Duncan bends over the 100 year old font where all his ancestors and living relatives have been baptized, I know the answer to my question!

We are in the midst of experiencing a treasured journey of each of our souls from the darkness of sin, fear and uncertainty to the light of Christ and freedom to soar in the Resurrection. It is taking place in so many dimensions before our very eyes as the morning unfolds.

I see Duncan's daughter, Lena Duncan of Washington, DC, standing next to him and know two other daughters Dawn and Rena are nearby with his brother and sisters, grand and great grand children and other relatives witnessing this event.

I see his Native American red stole around his neck and beaded moccasins on his feet and think about the new journey he is about to embark upon. Then I hear myself say "Clifford Helm, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." The congregation responds "AMEN."

For Duncan, who was two days shy of his 74th birthday, it has been years of a mystery and wondering why he was not baptized like all of his three other brothers and 10 sisters?

Born to Ivan and Clara Chegup Duncan, he remembers attending St. Elizabeth's with his mother Sunday after Sunday. He was active in church life and a member of St. Elizabeth's Posse in the 1950's when the Rev. Joseph Hogben known as the buckaroo priest, Vicar of St. Elizabeth's, rode his large sorrel horse King in this well organized group.

Why was Clifford left out and not baptized? The question still remains, but no longer matters.

Bishop Irish reaches to Duncan's forehead and says, "Clifford you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever." AMEN. He is now a full member of the Episcopal Church, the Body of Christ and St. Elizabeth's Church family.

Duncan is a leader in many areas. He is an advocate of sharing his Native American traditions, history and spirituality to help others understand the beauty of the Native American culture. He participated in the Salt Lake City Olympics going to Greece as part of the team to bring the Olympic Flame to Salt Lake.

As a Ute Tribal Elder, he rode an Arabian horse in full war bonnet regalia and welcomed the Olympic Games in his native language of Ute in the Opening Ceremony. He has participated in multi-cultural events in Europe and Georgia and recently offered the blessing at the ground breaking of the new Humanities building at the University of Utah.

Duncan has a deep interest in religion and has studied history, anthropology and archeology extensively. He is a consultant for many agencies and businesses currently excavating and working in the Uintah Basin, much of Utah and the eastern Colorado area.

Duncan attends to the spiritual needs of the Ute people who call upon him to lead traditional cer emonies and he is comfortable blending Christianity with Native traditions. He wanted his baptism to take place in the spring symbolizing his new journey and at the time when new life and hope abound in creation. He understands that his baptism only br oadens the depth and br eath of his life experience and faith journey.

The Rev . Sue Duffield is Vicar, St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church

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