The annual Native American Ministries Sunday Offering is May 5th. A portion of the funding helps support initiatives in Michigan's Native American congregations like Greensky Hill Indian United Methodist Church.

KAY DEMOSS
Senior Content Editor

Greensky Hill Indian United Methodist Church has historic roots that go as deep as those of the Council Trees in its side yard. “We had one of the fallen trees dated and its age is estimated at 204 years old,” said Pastor Jonathan David Mays. That means those maples were already 40 years old when Peter Greensky and other Native Americans constructed a church there out of hewn-logs in the mid-19^th century.

That pine log church still stands today and is in good repair thanks to a renovation project that began in 2016 with the help of a grant from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation that is housed in that building is as vital as ever and is working on initiatives that will celebrate their past as well as innovate for their future.

Greensky, located in the northwest part of the lower peninsula near Charlevoix, is a multi-racial congregation; about 50% Native American and 50% non-Native. Pastor Mays has been serving in their midst since July of 2013. While he has heard stories of his own great grandmother’s Native identity, he has no documentation. Mays notes, “DNA doesn’t matter. It’s cultural connection and experience that matters.” He adds that, “From my very first meeting with Greensky, I have been embraced and welcomed by the congregation.”

Mays came to Greensky with a passion to learn about Native American culture and to minister to the trauma experienced by that community. “I made a point before arriving to gain information about the Grand Traverse and Little Traverse Bands of the Anishinaaabe.” He adds, “I encourage every United Methodist church to take time to find out what native land their church is located on and reach out to current members of that tribe to start conversations and relationships.”

At present there are three new ministry initiatives underway at Greensky. The first involves food. Last January the church changed their Sunday morning worship time to 10am. This made it possible to start a Breakfast Ministry at 9am. “We serve a full, hot breakfast to the community every Sunday morning,” Mays explains, “and we make it clear that guests do not have to stay for church in order to be welcome at the meal.” Through a partnership with Manna Food Project: Feeding the Hungry through the North, Greensky has access to food resources. There’s also a potluck after the 5pm worship each Sunday and food is sent home with those who need it.

The second project is the Greening of Greensky. “We want to get our 180+ year old church completely off the grid through use of alternative solar, geo-thermal, and wind energy,” the pastor says. They even hope to put energy back into the system. Currently they are engaged in fund-raising and talking with other churches who have done this. Michigan Interfaith Power and Light is part of this conversation. Water protection is another issue of concern and advocacy.

Restoration of the log sanctuary continues along with archeological exploration of the site. The third initiative being undertaken by the congregation moves this effort beyond historic artifacts. “We want Greensky to be not just a living United Methodist Church but a cultural center,” Mays reflects. “Many people come to Greensky to experience liminal space, which in part goes back to the grove of crooked trees.” Members hope to offer displays and information about the history of the site to enhance the spiritual experience. The goal is to have an educational center that will tell the story of the Anishinaaabe people in Northern Michigan.

This culture nurturing reaches out to the community and to the young families at Greensky as well. The annual youth camp includes young people of Native American ancestry who may not meet the criteria for tribal membership. “Our camp gives these kids opportunity to experience the integration between Christ and their own culture,” Mays says. A special series is also being planned for fall 2019 that includes Greensky youth and teens from other United Methodist churches in the region. “Walking in these White Man Shoes” is a UMW study by Ray Buckley that will be the basis of these four sessions. This is a joint effort of Greensky, Horton Bay and Charlevoix UMCs supported by a grant from the Northern Waters District. Details will be available soon on the Greensky website.

Worship at Greensky Hill Indian UMC keeps Native American culture alive through use of Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibway language. The Lord’s Prayer, Doxology and a hymn are voiced during each gathering in Anishinaabemowin. “There is nothing inconsistent between traditional spirituality and the teachings of Christ,” Mays remarks. “We acknowledge that whenever we worship.” A Native American Communion is observed on the first Sunday of each month at both 9am and 5pm. A rotation of Native preachers and worship leaders serve the other Sundays at evening worship.

Pastor Jonathan Mays hopes that the white church and culture will listen to Native peoples and build relationships from a non-defensive point of view. “We must recognize how privilege has affected our relationships, how we understand scripture, and how we teach about the ways of Christ,” he continues. He believes “When we open ourselves to learn from our native brothers and sisters, we are more fully like Christ.” Mays concludes, “To put it more simply, I hope that we all see each other as fully human and beloved children of God.”

~Native American Ministries Sunday is May 5. Part of that denomination-wide offering returns to the annual conference to meet needs and fund emerging ministries in Michigan. Michigan Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) will distribute the funds. Click here for a Leader Kit for promotion of the Native American Ministries Sunday Offering.