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Show Some of our guests remarked about the similarity of our people and land to those of the Old Testament. We have often seen the parallel between Navajos and the Ancient Hebrew people. "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" (Psalm cxxxvii). Navajo-dine, The People-herd their flocks of sheep and goats on barren hills and sandy valleys where the coyote lies in wait and t heir "still waters" very likely contain alkali. The Canaanites who inhabited t heir Promised Land were the cave-dwellers, whose ruins are still extant and relatively untouched, for the Navajos are wary of those gods who might conflict with the Navajos' own gods and departed ones. Babylon was Fort Sumner (Bosque Redondo), New Mexico, in 1864, when "Nebuchadnezzar," Kit Carson, led the United States Army in a scorched earth and starvation policy to force-march 10,000 Navajos to a four-year concentration camp. And their "Moses," Manuelito, led them home. The Navajos have had t heir Captivity and Languishing for Home, their Exile and Return to the Land, but t heir prophets have not spoken. And where is their New Covenant? The Church must be the prophet to "the People." "The People" is noble, proud, reserved, patient. What great fea rs and frustrations must lie behind this noble pride after 100 years of living in subjection to the white man's government at " Washingdoan" far away! Alcohol can be the answer, and-another problem for the Church. At present, a treacherous abyss separates the Navajo culture from the inevitable American scene into which they must venture forth. More and more inroads are made daily. The United States Government is at present operating a relocation program in larger city areas. The dispersion is beginning, but there is no message to carry - no synagogues await "the People." More often than not, the relocatees return to t heir already overcrowded land, having been victims of prejudice, loneliness, bewilderment and lack of education. The Church must admit great shame in the indifferent inclusion of Navajo families and individuals in their pastoral ministry and parish registers. But the Lord's song must be sung. The Church cannot speak properly to the Navajo without approaching t heir corporate entity through t heir land and history, tongue and temperament, trials and t ribulations. Such an approach is attempted here at St. Christopher's Mission, in an endeavor to most realistically aid in the Redemption of "dine" through the only real corporate entity, the Church, the Body of Christ. We salute our summer workers who have now departed for college work. Dottie Mullikin has chosen to remain with us for some time. This summer at least three vocations were strengthened by work here - two to the priesthood and one to the convent. It was a trying summer in many ways, but youth can usually cope with such situations. To you all - God be with you! Return to us when you can! Brother Juniper will be lecturing in the Chicago and surrounding areas in October. A quick call to Mrs. B. B. Nelson, 8020 Kathryn Drive, Crown Point, Indiana, may enable you to arrange a date for guild or parish. His many colorful tales of this Frontier should not be missed. Through our error, a wrong price for Father Mitchell's recording was quoted in the last Newsletter. So, to repeat, with corrections-a long-playing record in either monaural ($4.95) or stereo ($5.95) may be obtained with 25¢ included for postage, by ordering from American Folk Song Mass, 2100 North Avers, Chicago 47, Illinois. In appreciation, Father Mitchell will send one dollar from each record sold this way to the Mission for its work. Be sure and mention the Newsletter when ordering. You will want to order several for your friends and for gifts. Father Wayne and Jo wish to announce to all our readers the birth of the newest member of the community, John Lorainne, on June 28th. He's growing fast and even holding his own with his three sisters! May the warmth of our desert Autumn be with you all. autumn 1963 news letter saint christopher's mission to the navajo A volunteer Mission of the EPISCOPAL CHURCH bringing the Christian Religion, Education and Better Health to the Navojo Indians in Southern Utah . bluff, utah |