Reflection on the First Delegation to Living Waters

 Pastor Jack and his wife and partner in ministry, Lisa.  Living Waters Church, below.

After a 10-hour drive, the last part of it through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, our delegation arrived in Cherokee, North Carolina, on Thursday night.  On Friday morning, we met with Pastor Jack Russell of Living Waters Lutheran Church.  He spent some time telling us about the Eastern Band of the Cherokee, the land that they now occupy (which is known as the Qualla Boundary), and their congregation.  There are about 13,000 eastern Cherokee--descendents of those who hid from the 1838 forced removal to Oklahoma which became known as the Trail of Tears) who now live on the tribal lands in North Carolina as well as in neighboring parts of that state and other states.  Of the 16 churches that serve the town and surrounding area of Cherokee, Living Waters is the only Lutheran Church -- and only one of 3 congregations that ministers to the community through a food pantry and clothing pantry.
 
We also met Lisa Russell, as well as their daughter and son.  We spent most of the day working in the food pantry (Lisa put our guys to work sorting all of the bulk foods into portion bags) and the clothing closet.  We were able to sort the bags and boxes of your donated clothing into categories for the upcoming distribution on June 27.  Lisa runs a truly remarkable ministry to the Cherokee community from their small church -- clothing is donated to anyone in need who comes to the church on distribution days, but she also works with the local Drug Court to give clothing to young people who are coming out of a rehab program as well as mothers and children living in the local emergency shelter for victims of domestic abuse.  Some of your donations will also go to a local group that works with men and women trying to find employment who need a set of good clothes for their job interviews.  
 
On Saturday, at Pastor Jack's urging that we learn more about the Cherokee history and culture, we went to the wonderful Museum of the Cherokee Indian in town, as well as the Oconaluftee Indian Village, which recreates the life of the eastern Cherokee people in the 1700s.  On Sunday morning, we were warmly welcomed at worship service, which begins with the traditional Cherokee practice of smudging -- sage incense is burned in a large sea shell and the shell is passed to each member of the community, who prays and cleanses themselves four times with the smoke from the incense.  The congregation also sings the Cherokee Morning Song and prays a traditional seven-direction prayer (East-South-West-North-the Sky-Mother Earth-and the inner human spirit).  All these take place before the official Lutheran liturgy begins.  After worship, we joined the congregation for a Father's Day dinner, with Lisa Russell's delicious Indian fry bread made into tacos, as well as lots of great desserts. We met and spoke with many members of the congregation and received a wonderful and warm welcome.  Monday morning, we regretfully left behind our view of the mountains and the cool weather (in the 70s every day we were there) and headed for home.  
 
We are all grateful for the opportunity to have represented our congregation to another loving and giving group of Christians at Living Waters.  We hope that this will be the first of many visits between our congregations.
 
On behalf of our delegation (Ruth Rives, Liz Gaskins, Alonso Saldivar, Darrell Bakken, and Dawn Bakken), thank you.

 Delegates Alonso and Darrell helping in the pantry at Living Waters (above).

 Delegates Liz and Ruth helping in the clothes closet at Living Waters (above).

The Smoky Mountains (above).  Thanks to delegate Dawn for this reflection and the photos!!

Living Waters Delegation Update

Our delegation to Living Waters in Cherokee, North Carolina arrived safely!  Friday they spent about half of the day meeting with Pastor Jack and learning more about their congregation.  Then they helped with two of their projects there - the clothes closet and the pantry.  Thank you to those of you who sent along summer clothes as they requested to help boost the summer clothing they have available in the clothes closet!  Our delegation will worship with our new friends at Living Waters tomorrow.  We look forward to hearing more from them.  Please continue to keep them in your prayers.  Look for additional Cherokee prayer resources in the narthex provided by the delegation.

Cherokee Morning Song

Our delegation to Living Waters is sharing some devotional material with each other in preparation for their trip to visit our new friends in Christ there in Cherokee, North Carolina.  Below is a video of the Cherokee Morning Song, which we understand they sing regularly.  Thanks, Dawn, for circulating this to share with us!

Cherokee Morning Song

Help Fill the Clothes Closet at Living Waters

When our delegates to Living Waters Lutheran Church in Cherokee, North Carolina, leave on June 14^th, we would like to take with us contributions of clothing for the “Clothes Closet” run by the church as part of their mission to the community.  Right now, they are looking for summer clothing in all sizes, infant to adult.  Please consider donating—from your own closets, garage sales, consignment shops, Goodwill, etc.—any lightweight, summer clothes that are 1) gently used, 2) clean and without stains, and 3) with all original buttons, working zippers, etc.  

There will be large marked bins in Room 13 in the Sunday School wing, or label your bags and boxes “Living Waters Clothes Closet” and place them in the room. 

Please make sure that all donations are at the church by Sunday, June 10.

Trip this Summer to Living Waters

We have just started walking alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ at Living Waters ELCA church in Cherokee, North Carolina. This is the only Native American ELCA mission east of the Mississippi River. The Mission Committee reached out to Liz Gaskins to see if we could start learning more about the native peoples of North American, as well as our learning about the native peoples of Central American through our Sister Parish program.  We sponsored the first event with Liz when she shared a video presentation about some of the history of American Indians.  Subsequently, the Mission Committee started seeking more ways to deepen this understanding and perhaps build a similar relationship as to the one we have in Chichipate, Guatemala where we accompany one another and deepen our mutual understanding and faith together.  

Living Waters has been sharing their digital newsletter with us now for a few months and we hope to share ours now too more easily since it is going digital. In their newsletter they highlighted two new ministries: a clothes closet and food pantry for those who need either or both. As a Partner in Ministry, St. Thomas supported their new clothes closet and food pantry ministries through mission committee, Mission Endowment and Thrivent funds. We are also sharing prayers and hope to continue to find more opportunities for learning and sharing our faith communities. 

Photo: Pastor Jack (center, in purple) of Living Waters at his installation as an ELCA pastor


Pastor Jack from Living Waters said they would love to have us join them for worship on Sunday, June 17 in North Carolina. They integrate some of their Native American traditions into the ELCA worship service. We are talking with Pastor Jack about staying a few days perhaps to work on a joint project together, and learn more about their history, customs and congregation. 

We currently have an intergenerational group planning a trip together from approximately June 14-17/18.   The group is planning on driving out together, staying a few days and then driving back.  They are doing a little bit of fundraising with an Indian Taco sale on May 19th at church, but also welcome donations both to underwrite the cost of the trip and to support the projects being done by Living Waters.  If you are interested in learning more or donating, please contact the church office, Liz Gaskins or Dawn Bakken who are coordinating this trip on behalf of the Mission Committee.  

Sunday School Lemonade for Red Cross and Salvation Army

One of our St. Thomas Sunday School classes (co-teachers Ronna and Tiffany) is participating in the Bloomington-wide Lemonade Day (www.bloomington.lemonadeday.org) and they are raising funds for tornado victims via the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.  The stand will be open for business from 11 am – 3 pm on Saturday, May 19 at Lowe’s near the main entrance. Come and treat yourself to a cup of summer! 

Guatemalan Worship and Lunch

The St. Thomas delegation members who traveled to Chichipate, Guatemala planned a wonderful Sunday of reflections to share their experience more widely with the congregation.

 Delegates to Chichipate, Guatemala planned and led our worship service, sharing the type of music and prayers they experienced there:

  "The Q'equchi' greeting of our Sister Parish is "Ma sa ach'ol?" Literally, this means "How is it with your heart?"  Our hearts are full of your love and care for the people of Guatemala.  Fill our hearts and spirits with your love that embraces all persons and places; all hopes and dreams. "
 ~ from the worship service greeting

 Each delegate shared a reflection, here Kris is sharing hers.

We had a marimba player too with the celebration.

 The delegation provided a wonderful Guatemalan meal for the congregation, both as a "thank you" and as a way of sharing more of what they experienced.

 Pastor Lyle enjoying some of the delicious food!

 The huge pot of chicken soup is almost gone!

 Suzanne in a lovely Guatemalan blouse, showing us her plate of tortillas, beans and rice.

 Jon and Zach at the tortilla table, trying to demonstrate how to make tortillas!

Beautiful watermelon for everyone...thanks to the delegation for this wonderful event!