We uplift and pray for Rev. Mary Louise Frenchman, Vicar Wanda Frenchman and the people of Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix, part of the Capital Conference.
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In her compelling reflection in Women of the ELCA’s Café blog post, Wanda Frenchman shares her journey from a non-Christian Indigenous upbringing to embracing Lutheran faith. Raised in a Lakota household, she highlights the significance of community, food, and genuine welcome in her transition to Grace Lutheran Church.
As a leader in Native American Urban Ministry, Wanda emphasizes the need for authentic inclusion in the church, encouraging congregations to embrace newcomers’ diverse traditions and identities. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the love of Christ and the importance of welcoming all people into our faith communities.
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In celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Grand Canyon Synod lifts up Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix and the Navajo Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ. Both ministries serve as powerful examples of faith and service, providing spiritual and material support to Native American communities. We honor their efforts and the Indigenous people whose land we now inhabit.
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On September 30, the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools invites us to honor Indigenous survivors and their families. Wearing orange is a powerful symbol of solidarity with those affected by the trauma of forced assimilation. Learn how you can participate and engage with the ELCA’s ongoing Truth and Healing initiatives in this post from Wanda K. Frenchman, vicar for Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix.
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In a recent blog post for the Women of the ELCA, seminarian Wanda K. Frenchman reflects on what she learned about God and ministry from her mother.
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The Native American Urban Ministry (NAUM) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Cook Native American Ministries Foundation for 2024. This grant will support the expansion of NAUM's "Living Our Values Everyday" (LOVE) Project, aimed at fostering personal development, leadership skills, and community service among Native American youth, adults, and elders in Phoenix.
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We pray for Rev. Mary Louise Frenchman and the people of Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix, part of the Capital Conference. Visit their site at facebook.com/Nativeurbanministryinphoenix.
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They call her “Big Mama.” It’s probably not the most common of titles used by church members for their pastors, but it works here.
Mary Louise Frenchman might be “Pastor Frenchman” in professional circles. In more formal settings, some might introduce her as “the Rev. Mary Louise.” But to those who gather for worship and greet her almost daily on the streets of Phoenix, it’s “Big Mama.” Read more in this profile in Living Lutheran.
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In this report, Santa Cruz Lutheran in Tucson updates us on their audio/visual upgrade for live streaming, made possible partially with help from a Grand Canyon Synod Grant.
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In this report, Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix updates us on their expansion of their online ministry and Christian education, made possible partially with help from a Grand Canyon Synod Grant.
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We share a video highlighting Fund for Leaders scholar Wanda Frenchman, who helps lead the Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix, Ariz. which was founded by her mother, Mary Louise Frenchman.
Wanda is participating in the TEEM program at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. This allows her to pursue rostered ministry while she continues to lead her community in Phoenix.
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In Café, a publication of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA), Wanda Frenchman shares her wisdom about learning to live again as she celebrates the joy of the Resurrection. Read in this post or at boldcafe.org.
The song, “Times like these” by the popular rock band, Foo Fighters, came to life for me recently as I heard it performed live at a concert—one of the few that I attended since the pandemic began.
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ELCA World Hunger announced recently that two ministries in the Grand Canyon Synod received Domestic Hunger Grants in 2022: Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix and Grace Lutheran Church, also in Phoenix. Read more in this post, and learn about the 2023 Grants here.
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We pray for Rev. Mary Louise Frenchman and the people of Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix, part of the Capital Conference. Visit their site at Facebook page.
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On April 26, 2020, the Grand Canyon Synod was awarded $10,000 from the ELCA’s COVID-19 Response Fund to assist GCS Native American and Latino ministries with food, water and basic hygiene items.
On April 28, Bishop Deborah Hutterer shared this good news and issued a challenge to match this amount for even greater impact. As of this writing, we have exceeded the initial challenge by $3,700, raising $13,700 in one week. We celebrate the generosity of this synod.
Additional gifts from congregations and individuals can still be made to this appeal through online giving or checks with the designation of GCS Daily Bread Grants. Grateful for how God does good through you.
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Native American Urban Ministry, Phoenix, received a $10,000 grant from Cook Native American Ministries Foundation, which will allow the NAUM to launch “Elders and Youth, Leaders Together,” a project that will serve inner city Natives from multiple generations and varied life experiences.
Elders and youth will be paired up to learn from one another by engaging in community service and leadership training projects and sharing cultural and spiritual experiences. At the center is the notion of Christian fellowship that will allow youth and elders to build supportive and long-lasting relationships.
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The leaders of ELCA's American Indian/Native Alaska Lutheran Association were in Phoenix to plan their upcoming triennial gathering (Tulsa, OK, Jan. 2-5, 2020), and we were honored they took the time to visit the office.
From left: Elizabeth Gaskins, Treasurer; our very own Pastor Mary Louise Frenchman of NAUM; Pastor Joan Conroy, President; Bishop Deborah Hutterer; Loni Taylor, Secretary; and Pastor Jack Russell from Living Waters Lutheran Church, Cherokee, NC.
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We prayer for the Pastor Mary Louise Frenchman and all those who are part of Native American Urban Ministry (NAUM) in Phoenix. NAUM is a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community (SAWC) of the Grand Canyon Synod. Their ministry is possible through the grants they receive from the ELCA Domestic Mission Unit and the Grand Canyon Synod.
We particularly give thanks to God for the elders among us. We are graced by their wisdom and seasoning. We are touched by their knowledge and faith. Bless them, O God, as they are a blessing to us. Pour out your Spirit, that our elders may continue to dream dreams and testify to the Light of their salvation, Jesus Christ.
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Last Saturday, April 13th, Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta and Don Stevens worshipped at Native American Urban Ministry (NAUM), one of the ministries made possible through mission support to the Grand Canyon Synod.
During worship there is a time for testimony called “Shared Blessings,” where people stand and “testify” of God’s action and presence in life. We heard amazing stories of how God had touched people’s lives through NAUM.
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