{"id":27019,"date":"2021-03-18T14:12:26","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T18:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=27019"},"modified":"2021-03-18T14:43:15","modified_gmt":"2021-03-18T18:43:15","slug":"methodist-reach-out-to-help-native-americans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=27019","title":{"rendered":"Methodist Reach out to Help Native Americans (April 2021)"},"content":{"rendered":"

John Wesley, the founder of what is now known as “Methodism”, urged us to constantly be involved in “Works of Piety” and “Works of Mercy.”\u00a0 Piety means that we need to personally take on habits that help us grow closer to God spiritually.\u00a0 This involves prayer, Bible Study, and Worship.\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

We usually think of “Mercy” as meaning forgiveness or withholding punishment.\u00a0 But as we’ve seen in Pastor Jim’s recent Bible Studies on the Beatitudes, “Mercy” goes deeper.\u00a0 The Greek word used in Matthew’s account of the Beatitudes means to “get inside the life of a person.”\u00a0 Or as we would say, “walk a mile in my shoes.”\u00a0 And this is ongoing; it’s a lifestyle attitude.\u00a0 When we “walk in someone else’s shoes,” prejudice begins to wear out and we begin to feel the needs of others.\u00a0 It is then that we can fully engage in “Works of Mercy.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

One of the ways that United Methodists engage in “Works of Mercy” is through something we call UMCOR.\u00a0 UMCOR stands for “United Methodist Committee on Relief”.\u00a0 It’s a stuffy term.\u00a0 But this “committee” matches a variety of world wide needs to the people who feel the call to minister to those needs.\u00a0 UMCOR provides the organization to allow ministry to happen.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

One of those “Works of Mercy” ministries that UMOCR organizes is for Native Americans.\u00a0 This recent Missions Report highlights Native American Ministries…<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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NATIVE\u00a0 AMERICAN\u00a0 MINISTRIES<\/span><\/h3>\n

The United Methodist Church designates April as a time for us to focus on Native American Ministries and to remind us of the traditions, gifts and contributions of Native Americans to our church and to society. For centuries Native Americans have shared their love of God’s creation, their respect for all people, and their desire to live peacefully. Each tribe has a unique heritage in danger of being lost if we don’t help protect and preserve Native American arts, language, customs, and spirituality. To this end the United Methodist Church is working in their midst to support our Native American brothers and sisters spiritually, physically, and emotionally.<\/p>\n

Here are a few of the things we’re currently doing to help Native Americans…<\/p>\n

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