Part I: Accompaniment (continued)
Living Waters Accompaniment
Living Waters is just outside the town of Cherokee, North Carolina, within the Qualla Boundary, the homeland of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. The church is one of 30 native congregations that are a part of the ELCA American Indian and Alaska Native Ministries. Pastor Jack Russell and his wife Lisa serve a small congregation as well as hundreds of other people from the native community, especially through the parish’s food and clothing pantries. Seven members of St. Thomas have visited Living Waters in the summers of 2012 and 2013. We have been warmly welcomed and have been privileged to learn about the history and culture of the Cherokee people. We have also come away with a deep respect for all that the Russells and the members of Living Waters do within the Cherokee community.
Living Waters is just outside the town of Cherokee, North Carolina, within the Qualla Boundary, the homeland of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. The church is one of 30 native congregations that are a part of the ELCA American Indian and Alaska Native Ministries. Pastor Jack Russell and his wife Lisa serve a small congregation as well as hundreds of other people from the native community, especially through the parish’s food and clothing pantries. Seven members of St. Thomas have visited Living Waters in the summers of 2012 and 2013. We have been warmly welcomed and have been privileged to learn about the history and culture of the Cherokee people. We have also come away with a deep respect for all that the Russells and the members of Living Waters do within the Cherokee community.
To participate in our mission partnership with Living Waters:
1. Read a copy of the Living Waters monthly newsletter, which is available at the information table in the narthex. Find out more about their programs and how the parish works to help preserve and honor the Cherokee culture within the tradition of the Lutheran church.
2. Keep Pastor Jack and Lisa and the members of the congregation in your prayers. Pray for a person or a program that you have read about in the newsletter.
3. Learn about Cherokee history and culture from books and websites. Read some of the books in our church library for young readers with your family. At your local library, there are books for young and adult readers on the Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the Eastern Cherokee from their homelands and their long journey to Oklahoma. Also look at some websites about tribal life today and about Cherokee culture and crafts. See, for example, www.nc-cherokee.com, www.pbs.org/indiancountry/history/trail.html, and www.quallaartsandcrafts.com.
4. Consider going on a trip to North Carolina with other members of St. Thomas or helping to organize a visit from the Russells and members of their congregation to our church.
1. Read a copy of the Living Waters monthly newsletter, which is available at the information table in the narthex. Find out more about their programs and how the parish works to help preserve and honor the Cherokee culture within the tradition of the Lutheran church.
2. Keep Pastor Jack and Lisa and the members of the congregation in your prayers. Pray for a person or a program that you have read about in the newsletter.
3. Learn about Cherokee history and culture from books and websites. Read some of the books in our church library for young readers with your family. At your local library, there are books for young and adult readers on the Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the Eastern Cherokee from their homelands and their long journey to Oklahoma. Also look at some websites about tribal life today and about Cherokee culture and crafts. See, for example, www.nc-cherokee.com, www.pbs.org/indiancountry/history/trail.html, and www.quallaartsandcrafts.com.
4. Consider going on a trip to North Carolina with other members of St. Thomas or helping to organize a visit from the Russells and members of their congregation to our church.
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