What is Native American Ministries Sunday?
Native American Ministries Sunday is one of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church. Native American Ministries Sunday serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society. The special offering supports Native American outreach within annual conferences and across the United States and provides seminary scholarships for Native Americans.
When do we celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday?
United Methodists celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday on the Third Sunday of Easter.
Can our church celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday at a different time?
Yes! If your local church needs to celebrate a Special Sunday on a different date, that is fine! Do not let the given dates prohibit your congregation from celebrating Native American Ministries Sunday if you have a time conflict.
How does The United Methodist Church allocate the offerings collected on Native American Ministries Sunday?
The annual conference treasurer retains 50 percent of the receipts to develop and strengthen Native American ministries within the annual conference. The annual conference Committee on Native American Ministry (CONAMN) administers this portion. If there are no Native American ministries within the annual conference, the annual conference treasurer remits this 50 percent to the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA).
The annual conference treasurer remits the remaining 50 (or 100) percent of the receipts to the GCFA. The GCFA treasurer distributes net receipts, after payment of promotional expenses, to the administering agencies:
- The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry administers scholarships for Native Americans pursuing ordained or licensed ministry at approved theological schools.
- The General Board of Global Ministries oversees programs and ministries that support established Native ministries in developing new initiatives for Native American communities.
How can you give to Native American Ministries Sunday offering?
Special Sunday offerings are best collected through your local church. Include your church’s online giving link during worship or through your social platforms. If your church doesn’t have online giving, direct people to the official donation site at donate.gcfa.org/nams. To give by mail, send checks to GCFA, P.O. Box 340029, Nashville, TN 37203 and put the name of the Special Sunday in the note section.
Where should a local church send offerings for Special Sundays?
Church offices gather donations and send them to the annual conference treasurer, who forwards them to GCFA.
What resources are available to promote and learn about Native American Ministries Sunday?
A resource kit is available online at resourceumc.org/nams providing everything you need to introduce and celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday. It includes materials for worship, promotion, and age-specific resources to engage all members of your congregation.
Where can I find a Native American church?
Native American Ministries Churches Listing (PDF Version)
