I was raised in a non-Christian, Indigenous home by my Lakota mother and grandparents. We didn’t attend church. We did practice the Lakota ceremony, and I was taught at an early age about Tunkasila or Grandfather the Creator. My maternal grandparents were Catholic residential school survivors from Pine Ridge, South Dakota. They were forced to become Catholic and learn about a white Jesus and his teachings. Years later, my mother, an ordained ELCA pastor, found Grace Lutheran in Phoenix. They welcomed me by getting me involved, being friendly, initiating conversation, and showing me grace when I didn’t understand what the service elements were.
Now that I am a leader in ministry, my job is more challenging because we have to show Indigenous people that we’re not the church that hurt their ancestors. I believe that letting other Native people know it’s okay to be in our worship service because God loves them is the most important way I can welcome them to my community. We as a church can work on inclusion by accepting newcomers and their traditions, culture and heritage. The future of the Lutheran church is going to depend on accepting all people, not just welcoming them.
This message is excerpted from “My experience as a new Lutheran” by Wanda Frenchman in the October 2024 Café online magazine. Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the United States.
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