November is recognized as Native American Heritage Month, also referred to as Indigenous Peoples' Month. There are a variety of resources that can help congregations observe this time and honor Indigenous people.

On October 11, 2021, Indigenous People’s Day, The Episcopal Church hosted a panel discussion with Indigenous Episcopalians as they responded to a statement on Indigenous boarding schools issued by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President Gay Jennings. A moderated Q&A follows the panel. You can watch the video at this link. 

The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Indigenous people. Building Faith (A ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary) offers a simple liturgy that includes multiple prayers, two forms of Prayers of the People, and music suggestions. Learn more on their site at this link. 

Building Faith also shared the following prayer offered by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Port Royal, Virginia:

A Prayer for Healing and Hope
O Great Spirit, God of all people and every tribe,
through whom all people are related;
Call us to the kinship of all your people.
Grant us vision to see through the lens of our Baptismal Covenant,
the brokenness of the past;
Help us to listen to one another,
in order to heal the wounds of the present;
And give us courage, patience, and wisdom to work together
for healing and hope with all of your people,
now and in the future.
Mend the hoop of our hearts and let us live in
justice and peace
through Jesus Christ,
the One who comes to all people
that we might live in dignity. Amen.

Check out additional resources below. More will be added to this posting over the coming weeks:

• The Office of Indigenous Ministries within The Episcopal Church celebrates the longstanding presence and influence of Native Americans throughout the history of The Episcopal Church in the U.S., from its earliest days in the New World. Learn more on the Episcopal Church website at this link: www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/indigenous-ministries/
• Learn more about the state recognized Native American entities on the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs website at this link.  The commission offers additional resources to celebrate Indigenous peoples in November and every other month of the year on their website at this link. 
• Sewanee, The University of the South, shared an article about "The Episcopal Church, Indigenous People, and Creation Care." Read it at this link.

 

The Right Reverend Ruth Morse Woodliff-Stanley was ordained and consecrated as the 15th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston, South Carolina. Woodliff-Stanley is the first female to lead the diocese as bishop, and the first full-time diocesan bishop serving the diocese since 2012.
 
“My deep heart’s desire is that we begin a new season today of resurrection, hope, justice, and love in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina that will be a beacon for all,” said Woodliff-Stanley during the service. “I give you my heart, and I will give you my best each day, and I seek to walk with you, humbly, and with deep joy.”
​
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, served as the chief consecrator. Joining Bishop Curry as co-consecrators were: the Rt. Rev. Kimberly Lucas, bishop of the Diocese of Colorado; the Rt. Rev. Robert J. O’Neill, retired bishop of the Diocese of Colorado; the Rt. Rev. Bonnie Perry, bishop of the Diocese of Michigan; the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of the Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York; and the Rt. Rev. G. Thomas Shelton, bishop of The Moravian Church in America, Southern Province.