OIMC Immersion to take place in October
The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference will host their next immersion experience from Oct. 24 to 28. The immersion will include visits to the new First Americans Museum, the Washita “Massacre” Battlefield Site and Standing Bear Park.
Rev. David Wilson, conference superintendent and assistant to the bishop, said “several OIMC persons” are helping with the grand opening.
“I am so excited about the grand opening of the First American Museum,” Wilson said. “I have supported this effort for 25 years and have worked with the great staff there. It will be the premier spot to visit in this region when it is open.”
The immersion will begin on Oct. 24 in Oklahoma City at the Best Western Plus Saddleback Inn and Conference Center, which will serve as the host hotel for the event. The following day, the immersion group will spend the day at the First American Museum.
“The museum will include all of the 39 tribes in the state,” Wilson said. “They will also have a great collection from the Smithsonian which will be on loan.”
On Oct. 26, the group will visit the Washita “Massacre” Battlefield Site in Cheyenne. The day will include a visit to the Clinton Indian Church and Community Center to speak with Dr. Henrietta Mann, Cheyenne Prayer woman, about the massacre site.
The following day will be spent at Standing Bear Park. In addition to learning about Standing Bear’s role regarding the “humanity” of Native peoples, the group will hear about current issues affecting Native tribes from tribal leaders.
A debriefing session and closing worship will be held on Oct. 28 at the host hotel.
The immersion event is $275 per person, which will cover both the cost of meals and any entry fees; a chartered bus will be used for transportation. If the event is cost-prohibitive, contact Wilson at dwilson@oimc.org. The deadline to register for the event is Sept. 15.
Hotel accommodations are a separate cost from the event registration and will be paid directly to the hotel. A special daily rate of $89.99 for single occupancy and $94.99 for double occupancy is available for the OIMC immersion event. This special rate will be valid through Sept. 30.
For more information or to register, visit umc-oimc.org and click on 2021 OIMC Immersion Experience.