Dear Church Leader,
When your congregation gives to the Native American Ministries Sunday (NAMS) offering, they make a significant change in the lives of Native American seminary students; congregations; rural, urban and reservation ministries and communities. Seminarians who attend United Methodist schools of theology are equipped to share God’s word more effectively. Pastors who attend approved Native American Ministries Course of Study classes received continuing education. Your gifts are an investment in the future of The United Methodist Church.
In two weeks, The United Methodist Church will celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday on April 23. Meet with your leadership team to fine-tune the celebration plans and remind your congregation about the upcoming celebration.
- Communicate your online giving to your members or promote umcgiving.org/NAMS for online giving to Native American ministries.
- Place the Pew Cards in the pew racks or high-traffic areas. You may also place them in your visitor or new-member packets.
- Download the Offering Talk and Liturgy and print the Adult Bulletin Insert or Cover for worship.
- Grow generous and mission-minded adults by sharing the NAMS Children’s Message and Bulletin Inserts with your Sunday school students. This is a great way to get children involved in the mission of the church early in their lives.
- Play a Native American Ministries Sunday video from the UMCGiving YouTube channel as congregants enter the sanctuary or use the video to introduce the offering.
- Share the Social Media Graphics on your social media platform(s). Tag church members and encourage them to share the videos with their family and friends.
- Customize the reminder copy below and use it on your social media platform(s) or send it as an email to remind church members about the April 23rd celebration. Members who are unable to attend the service may find this useful as they participate in your online service, if you stream your service.
- Plan to thank your members for their generosity and arrange to send the offering to your annual conference treasurer.
Recognizing and supporting our Native American brothers and sisters is an important ministry of the church. Your gifts allow us to collaborate with existing Native American ministries, create programs and support seminary scholarships for United Methodist Native Americans. Thank you for leading your congregation to support ministries with Native Americans.
Thank you for your leadership,
The Connectional Giving Team
REMINDER COPY OR EMAIL
Email Title: 2023 NAMS Email #2
Email Subject: Celebrate Native American Ministries on April 23, 2023
Scripture: “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” —2 Corinthians 5:18, ESV
Pretext: Be part of God’s promise of restoration on Native American Ministries Sunday. Give to Native American ministries.
““Many of our [Native] congregations are on reservations or in rural areas and struggle financially. Having seminary-trained pastors helps not only with preaching the gospel but also helps people get through the social ills within the community—unemployment, substance abuse, etc.—helping people live in a productive and fruitful way,” said the Rev. David Wilson, former conference superintendent of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.
As we gather to commemorate Native American Ministries Sunday in two weeks, plan now to attend this celebration and participate in the offering that empowers Native American ministries on April 23.
You can give to the Native American Ministries Sunday offering in the following ways:
- Give through our church’s online giving portal at ________; Designate “NAMS” in the memo section.
- Write a check for the NAMS offering to our local church and place it in the offering plate; designate “NAMS” in the memo line.
- Give your cash offering in the offering plate.
- Give online or set up monthly giving at UMC.org/SSGive.
We look forward to this great celebration as we recognize the contributions of Native American people.
Thank you for your generosity,
Pastor”