SHARING THEIR HERITAGE

Ninth-grader Richard Burt and his grandfather draw on family history for a recent Native American Awareness Sunday program at the teen’s church, St. Paul’s UMC in Ponca City. Burt and his grandfather, Edwin Hinman, are Ponca. They spoke about the relationship between traditional Native American spiritual ceremonies and Christian rituals and services. In tribal regalia, Richard expressed reverence by worshipping God through dance. He also knows many Ponca hymns. Symbols on his regalia and a tribal drum reflect the nature of God. Rev. Hinman is a retired elder of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. St. Paul’s raised $328 for an OIMC church van project. Lisa Crone-Sheldon is pastor at St. Paul’s.