Turn-Around Resources in Hiding in Plain Sight
Rev. Christian Coon, the NIC director of congregational development, once thought there might be some yet-to-be-discovered magic program or resource that is going to help the chur…
Rev. Chebon Kernell shares insights and learning related to indigenous communities’ history, present work being done, and how we can be in solidarity as we prepare for the future.
Our Redeemer's in Schaumburg, 1600 W. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, IL.
Speaker: Rev. Chebon Kernell, Executive Director of the UMC Native American Comprehensive Plan
Moderator: Dr. Richard R. Guzman
Find out more from the 2022 Speaker Series
Rev. Chebon Kernell
Rev. Chebon Kernell is a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and of Muscogee Creek heritage. Rev. Kernell is the current Executive Director of The Native American Comprehensive Plan of The United Methodist Church and formerly served as Executive Secretary of Native American and Indigenous Ministries for the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministries.
Rev. Kernell is an ordained Elder in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. He has worked with the World Council of Churches, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops assisting in a denominationally mandated effort to improve relationships with Indigenous communities through dialogue, study and local or regional acts of repentance acknowledging harms inflicted upon Indigenous communities.
In 2016 he was honored by receiving the Religious Literacy Award sponsored by the Westar Institute “for his tireless efforts to educate the general public, including not only mainstream American Christians but also native peoples themselves, about the ‘deep and broad religious riches’ of Indigenous peoples in the context of reconciliation work and the recovery of native practices. “
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Oklahoma City University and a Master of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary. He is a cultural practitioner and member of the Helvpe Ceremonial grounds. He is married to Sara and has five children Kaycee, Josiah, Raylen, and Solomon and niece Cali.
Dr. Richard R. Guzman
Dr. Richard R. Guzman is a professor emeritus at North Central College where he taught writing, literature, race/ethnicity, and social change and is active in his family’s foundation, Emmanuel House. He serves as a consultant on anti-racism initiatives for the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church and headed the committee that produced the Becoming the Beloved Community workshop.
The Becoming the Beloved Community Planning Team is Dr. Richard Guzman (Bolingbrook: Friendship), Tom Butler (Evanston: First UMC), Lennox Iton (Hinsdale UMC), Rev. Tennille Power (Chicago: Hazel Crest Community UMC), and Donna Sagami (Chicago: Ravenswood Fellowship).
Rev. Christian Coon, the NIC director of congregational development, once thought there might be some yet-to-be-discovered magic program or resource that is going to help the chur…
"Our sacraments are baptism and the Eucharist," Bishop Dan Schwerin says. "They are gifts for pilgrims, a bath and a meal. Surely walking alongside is another ancient embodiment of Jesus…
Some 657 lay and clergy members of Northern Illinois Conference gathered to practice hope at their annual session, held June 14-16 at the Schaumburg (I…
This October, the United Methodist Council of Bishops will host leaders from the episcopal areas around the world in Calgary, Canada, for "Emboldened by the Spirit: Im…