Friends of Navajoland

Advocating for the Mission and Ministry of The Episcopal Church in Navajoland

Our Mission

Cultivate

Cultivate church-wide awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of Navajo Culture, traditions, and spirituality as complementary of Episcopal theology and the mission of ECN.

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Advocate

Advocate for the mission and ministry of ECN and its outreach to the people.

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Volunteer

Develop a sustaining corps of volunteers for greater collaboration between ECN and other Episcopal dioceses, congregations, and individuals to share mutual gifts.

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Support

Support the ECN Bishop, Economic Development Corporation, and the Church Development Office to raise funds for ECN’s mission, ministry, and economic development projects.

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Articles

With clean water in southern Utah in short supply, a Navajo mission plays crucial role

A historic church and its well have long filled gaps left by environmental injustice, but ministry leaders worry its aquifer, too, could come under threat.

| January 09, 2024

By Leia Larsen
The Salt Lake Tribune

"I Can't Wait To Go Back"

St. Christopher’s Mission in Bluff, Utah welcomed its second group of “pilgrimissioners” from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New London, NH in late April. Nine parishioners and the Rector came to work with local Diné on replacing windows in the church and preparing the property ….

Article Written By – Jay McLeod

"Sacred Mountains: Pilgrimage To Huerfano Mesa"

A hardy bunch of Navajo Episcopalians and a few bilagaanas braved freezing temperatures and blistering winds to trek to Huerfano Mesa on October 30. Many Dine’ and their friends make a point of trying to visit each of the Four Sacred Mountains that define the Dinetah, spiritually and geographically.

Article Written By – Kathleen Wells

"On Navajo Time"

We’ve spent 20 plus summers here, at St Mary’s of the Moonlight. The small mission outpost of the Episcopal Church is located on a desert road between Monument Valley and the town of Oljato, Utah, population 880, elevation around 5000 feet (depending on which rock you stand.) The church is a work of art: a square shape built from irregular slabs of native sand stone….

Article Written By – Marlies Parent

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Friends of Navajoland?"

Friends of Navajoland (“Friends”) is a volunteer membership association of persons and entities to support the mission and ministry of Episcopal Church in Navajoland (”ECN”).

How is Friends organized?

In December 2016 Bishop David Bailey and the ECN Council established Friends as an unincorporated association and ministry of the ECN. The Bishop and Council appointed individuals to serve on the Friends advisory board of directors, with board members and officers to include active Navajo leaders. Each board member (1) is a proven church leader or a participant in a recent mission retreat or pilgrimage to Navajoland and (2) has demonstrated a heart for ECN’s work by donating resources or otherwise supporting ECN’s ministry. Friends’ board of directors includes local Navajo leaders and other church officials, including bishops, from across the Church. The Friends board and executive committee, appointed by the Bishop, are the planning and decision-making body for Friends’ projects and ministry.

What is the purpose of Friends?

Friends is established to encourage and promote cross-cultural understanding and support of the ministry of The Episcopal Church in its Navajoland Area Mission.

How can I join?

All financial donors to ECN, its Economic Development Corporation, or its churches are automatic members of Friends. Individuals, churches, dioceses, and other ministries or entities can request membership on the Membership page or by contacting the ECN offices in Farmington at (505) 327-7549 or info@ecofnavajoland.org. Members can request to opt out of membership status at any time by contacting the ECN offices.

Plan Your Mission Group Visit Here

Navajoland has many opportunities for you and your church to assist in our communities. Do you or your ministry group want to partner or aid in a project in one of our Regions? We’d love to have you. Click the link below to download a registration form for two of our regions to learn more on how to get started. Thank you for visiting Friends of Navajoland.

Download the Southeast Region Form

Click Here

Download the San Juan Region Form

Click Here

Would you like to join Friends of Navajoland?

If you would like more information on how you can help, fill out the form below and you will be contacted soon. Thank you for your interest.