Praying Friends,
Cassie's Ministry
Thank you for praying for Cassie. She had a great time "just being part of the gang" with some kids in the village of Quinhagak. It went great. She will report to you next update!
Christianity Today Article
I have been told that there is an Article that refers to Arctic Barnabas Ministries in the April 2003 edition Christianity today, Page 23.
There are no copies here locally, but I can order some through Good Books & More bookstore. But the first person who faxes me a copy will get an extra orange in their stocking this Christmas! (Not really, but I would really like to see the article before I decide how many to order!!)
ABM fax number is 907-283-3347
Women to Women Ministry At It's Best
A couple from Dimond Grace Brethren Church, one of our supporting Churches in Anchorage, are traveling to the village of Allakaket. Allakaket is on the south bank of the Koyukuk River, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River, approximately 190 air miles northwest of Fairbanks and 57 miles upriver from Hughes.
This couple is going to spend time with one of the missionary families they were introduced to by way of Arctic Barnabas Ministries' Women to Women Program that Kris heads up. We are so excited to see people with the vision of encouragement and support that has gripped our own hearts! Praise the Lord!
Whadaya Think About This?
I will be attending a open panel discussion on the influences of Christianity on Native Culture in Anchorage. I know some of some of the panelists. I also have an idea of the type of audience that will be there. I'm just going to observe. Like our brothers and sisters in IRAQ and similar areas, Christianity is often viewed as OUR religion that we brought to THEM. It doesn't help that, In Alaska, kids were sent off to boarding schools and children would be punished for speaking their native tongue in the "Missionary/Schoolhouse" model that was used here in the early 1900's, and people were wiped out because of TB brought to their villages.
I think of one native brother, an older man in his 70's, who starts out his testimony with "I thank God for the missionaries who first brought us the Gospel!"
What follows is the Press release about the program. I'll end my part here.
God Bless you!
ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER EXPLORES THE INFLUENCE OF CHURCH AND
SPIRITUALITY ON ALASKA NATIVE PEOPLE
(Anchorage, AK) - The Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) is exploring
the influence the church and spirituality had on the Alaska Native
people. The program will be held on March 29, 2003 from 12pm to 5pm.
Church and Spirituality Day is one of the continuing series of
Celebrating Culture Saturdays sponsored by BP.
Spirituality has always been an integral part of Alaska Native people's
lives. Their beliefs and ceremonies were often centered on their
relationship with the earth, sky, sea and animals. Songs, drums, dance
and masks as well as other cultural objects and traditional healing ways
all played a part in their spiritual beliefs. Native ways of healing
were also part of people's spirituality.
When the Alaska Native peoples came in contact with the Christian
missionaries, some of the valued traditions and ceremonies were
forbidden and eventually lost. Many Native people became Christians and
were educated by the missionaries. The missionaries' ways of healing in
many cases replaced the Native healing ways. The relationship of
missionaries and Natives was complex and often involves mixed emotions.
The Alaska Native Heritage Center will be hosting a mini-symposium with
representatives of Christian churches that have worked with Native
peoples for a long time. This program will provide a sharing of the
beliefs and spirituality of Native peoples, Christians and Christian
Alaska Natives both ancient and current. There will be a discussion and
question and answer period.
Panel members include: Pastor Nicholson from the Moravian Church, Mary
Koch, Reverend Koch's wife from the First Congregational Church, Pastor
Wilson from the First Native Baptist Church and Reverend Elliott the
Rector Emeritus from the All Saints Episcopal Church. Pastor William
Nicholson has served in Dillingham, Bethel and now at the Moravian
Church in Anchorage. He is the only Moravian pastor who is Alaska Native
and graduated from the Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania in 1977. Pastor Jonathan Wilson has been a minister for the
First Native Baptist Church for the last 10 years. He has spent time in
many rural locations such as Mekoryuk, Kobuk, Dillingham, Tetlin and
Tanacross. Reverend Norman Elliot came to Alaska in 1951 and became a
ordained priest in 1952. He has traveled extensively doing missionary
work from Point Hope all the way to Southeast Alaska. Choirs that will
be performing will be the Moravian Fellowship Choir and the Anchorage
Native Assembly Church.
See ya!
Gary
