Navajo Lutheran Mission (NELM) Executive Director and Pastor Kate Adelman shares hope and observations of Navajo winter, Christmas highlights, and a giveaway of over 1,000 quilts.

NAVAJO WINTER STORIES OF ORIGINS

Hope and observations from Executive Director and Pastor Kate Adelman

Winter greetings from your friends at Navajo Lutheran Mission,

 In Navajo tradition, the days of winter are set aside for storytelling. It is a precious and joyous time for elders to share cultural wisdom with their grandchildren. These oral adventures passed from generation to generation are meant to form the foundation on which the children learn to live joyfully and with gratitude, in spite of the hardships. These winter stories about the origins of the Diné people correspond to the Christmas story that proclaims God’s coming into the lives of all people. Through the antics and adventures of ancient ancestors, elders explain how humanity came to inhabit the earth and receive the gifts of food, water, plants, herbs, animals, and mountains as tangible signs of the Creator’s love and constant presence. 

My father used to say, "We are all alike, yet different somehow." There is so much we can learn from one another. Here at Navajo Lutheran Mission we strive to bridge the differences so that old and young together may experience the joy of deepened understanding, rewarding accomplishments and achievable dreams. 

Because of your prayers and financial commitment, the Mission is stronger and more vibrant than ever. The food bank, water well, and winter firewood supplement the hundreds of nutritious meals lovingly prepared for students and community members. This newsletter is filled with tales of adventure and intrigue for all ages. Together we continue the legacy of storytelling, passing on to the next generation renewed hope, tradition, love, respect and compassion. 

 I encourage you to enter the story, giving of your time, talent, and dollars to the area of Mission programming that most inspires you. 

On behalf of everyone here, thank you for partnering with the Navajo people. We pray your Christmas will be filled with joy and abundance. 

 Yá'át'ééh Késhmish!

MISSION CHRISTMAS PROGRAM DELIGHTS

Christmas at the Mission is always the highlight of our year. On December 16th, 39 of our Mission students put on a program that delighted all the families in attendance. “The Not-So-Silent Night” theme was told by each class in their own special way. Christmas carol-singing by students and audience included favorites such as, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, “Away in a Manger”, “Silent Night” (in candlelight), “Go Tell it on the Mountain”, and a rousing finale of “Joy to the World”. Our thanks to all the participants and families who made this season and special event a beautiful time to remember for everyone!

2021 Warm quilts from warm hearts

Thursday, December 16, was a long-awaited day for Rock Point and surrounding residents. Late that afternoon the local community lined-up down the road (driving-in for social distancing) for the annual Mission community quilt giveaway. Over 1,000 warm, mostly hand-made quilts were given as gifts to Navajo families from many churches, sewing groups, and, especially, the wonderful Orphan Grain Train organization out of Wichita, Kansas. Winter is here. The quilts are now warming our beloved friends.