The official date set to celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday is Sunday, April 23, 2023, but we encourage churches to celebrate on a date that is most convenient for your congregation. A full package of ready to use resources for Native American Ministries Sunday is available for you to explore how we give, why we give and the impact we make through connectional efforts.
Official date: April 14, 2024
Churches are encouraged to donate through their local churches or give online.
To give by mail, send checks to GCFA, P.O. Box 340029, Nashville, TN. 37203
What is Native American Ministries Sunday?
Native American Ministries Sunday serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society. A gap in knowledge exists in The United Methodist Church, in congregations and other United Methodist entities, relative to comprehending concepts of Native American life, cultures, languages, spirit, values, contemporary issues, and such. We affirm the sacredness of indigenous people, their languages, cultures, and gifts to the church and the world.
An offering is taken on this Special Sunday to support vital ministries and churches in the Native American communities and allow The United Methodist Church to partner with existing native ministries to develop new programs on behalf of Native Americans.
Half of the funds collected on this Special Sunday remain in the Annual Conference to develop and strengthen Native American ministries in the conferences. To assist in developing these programs, each conference has a Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM). These committees seek to advocate for ministry with and by Native Americans to share the diverse culture, history and traditions of Native peoples. The committees determine the distribution of the Native American Ministries Sunday offering, coordinate the promotion of that Special Sunday, and monitor Native American ministries within the Annual Conference.
Twenty-five percent of the donations received fund scholarships designated scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist schools of theology. A significant shortage exists of Native American pastors and trained professionals and these scholarships provide development, implementation, and assessment of a higher education recruitment/retention for Native Americans.
The final twenty-five percent of the donations collected are used to create beneficial programs. These funds allow the UMC to partners with existing native ministries to develop new programs on behalf of Native Americans. Some of those efforts include mentoring programs, peer support systems, funding for economic development projects, and restoring traditional and historic ways that bring forth new leaders for Native American communities.
Read stories about the impact you are making with your gifts.
