First Steps
“We confess to God, acknowledging our guilt, resolving to cease the harm, pledging ourselves to live differently, reversing the damage that has been done through our participation in violence, maltreatment and neglect of Native and indigenous peoples so that we may bring about healing and restoration to all.”
Statement of Repentance,
UMC General Conference, 2012
On April 27, 2012, the delegates to the United Methodist General Conference in Tampa Bay, FL took part in an “Act of Repentance Toward Healing Relationships with Indigenous Peoples,” acknowledging and repenting of the church’s actions towards Native people of all nations. The conference also adopted a resolution requiring an on-going effort to strengthen relations through dialogue, study, and local or regional acts of repentance.
In response to this call, we will welcome the Rev. Glen Chebon Kernell to the 2016 Annual Conference. Rev. Kernell is Executive Secretary of Native American & Indigenous Ministries for the General Board of Global Ministries. Rev. Kernell is the coordinator of the church’s on-going efforts.
The Reverend Chebon Kernell
Where We Begin
To prepare for our Act of Repentance in June, Annual Conference attendees are asked to participate in a viewing and talk back session. Together, we will watch “Our Fires Still Burn,” a new documentary that tells the story of Native Americans living in the Midwest.
Please join us at one of these important sessions:
| Session | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Asbury United Methodist Church, Flint | April 6 | 6:00pm |
| St Luke United Methodist Church, Rochester Hills | April 9 | 7:00pm |
| Trinity United Methodist Church, Grand Rapids | April 12 | 6:30pm |
| Newburg United Methodist Church, Livonia | April 22 | 7:00pm |
| Central United Methodist Church, Traverse City | April 23 | 10:00pm |
| Wesley Foundation/Heartland District Office, Mt. Pleasant | May 15 | 5:00pm |
| First United Methodist Church, Marquette | May 15 | 4:00pm |
| University of Michigan Wesley Foundation, Ann Arbor | TBD |