A Position Statement on “Indigenous Peoples Day”

From the Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes (ACET)

ACET is an intertribal league of sovereign American Indian Nations continuing from the colonial era of the eastern and southern seaboard of the continental United States. The Nanticoke-Lenape confederated tribes are charter members of the organization.  The following statement by ACET well represents 1st Light Mission's perspective on Indigenous People's Day.

A Talk by the Water

The Clearly Quaker Podcast recorded an informal "Talk by the Water" presentation by Dr. JR Norwood on October 1st, 2016 at the Tri-Quarter Meeting of Friends held by the lakeside at Camp Ockanickon in Medford, New Jersey. 

A Prayer for Justice

By Rev. JR Norwood, PhD

As we enter a new year at the start of 2017, the Nanticoke-Lenape People are still engaged in a struggle with the State of New Jersey.  The administration of Governor Chris Christie has sought to rewrite history in regard to the status of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation and deny that state recognition was extended to the tribe in the 1980s, even though legislative resolutions, state statutes, official statements of previous administrations (and even from his own administration) demonstrate that the tribe was and is recognized. 

Pastoral Letter on the 2016 Presidential Election

Pastoral Letter on the 2016 Presidential Election 

A letter from Dr. JR Norwood to his Congregation on 11/13/16 also shared with 1st Light Mission

Christianity and Smudging

Rev. J R Norwood, PhD.

When considering the American Indian practice of smudging, along with many other traditional tribal ceremonies and practices, American Indian Christians must evaluate the method and intent of the act and also whether it could be appropriated for uses which are consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dismissing such things merely because they are not common within a European/Western Christian tradition does not make them necessarily evil or unusable. In fact, dismissing such things merely because they do not conform to Western practices is due more to a cultural and racial bias than a fair evaluation based upon biblical doctrine.

On Christians Receiving a Tribal Name

By Rev. J R Norwood, PhD

In modern American culture, people are known by many different names. Sometimes the names are their formal legal name, written on the birth certificate and other legal documents. And, sometimes the name is more of a well-known nickname, given by family, friends, and community members. There are some people who are better known by their nicknames than by their actual names. There are also various aliases that may be used for business. Sometimes entertainers or authors will use pseudonyms instead of their actual name. None of these various names are necessarily in conflict with the concept of receiving a “new name” when one is born again as a “Child of God” or the victorious eternal name granted by our Lord and Savior when we will be received in his heavenly kingdom.

Life is Sacred - A Prayer in Response to Recent Domestic Shootings and International Terrorism

A prayer by Dr. J R Norwood

Lord Jesus, Creator and Redeemer, our nation and our world are torn by violence. The sinful refusal to see one another as your image bearers has left families in deep mourning over loved ones lost and inflamed irrational responses and extremism among many who have harbored hostility against those whom you have declared to be their neighbors.  Far too often we have rejected your command to honor, value, and respect all life.