The fabric of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is woven with threads of triumph and tragedy. One of the deepest stains on this tapestry is the Sand Creek Massacre, which occurred on November 29, 1864, in Colorado Territory. This week we pause to recognize it has been 160 years since that day, the day when Colonel John Milton Chivington, a Methodist pastor leading a regiment of Colorado volunteers, launched a surprise attack on a peaceful encampment of Cheyenne and Arapaho people. The ensuing slaughter claimed the lives of nearly 300 men, women, and children, leaving a legacy of pain and generational trauma.For far too long, the UMC and its antecedents were unaware of or did not acknowledge the massacre. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement within the Church to raise awareness, acknowledge the past, seek forgiveness, and work toward healing. Bishop Elaine Stanovsky, the former leader of the Mountain Sky Conference (MSC) encompassing Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and the Native American Committee from First UMC in Sheridan, Wyoming, played a pivotal role in this movement.
Bishop Stanovsky's dedication to raising this awareness, in tandem with actionable responsiveness became a trait of her legacy. She actively advocated for truth and reconciliation, organizing educational initiatives to inform the UMC about the massacre's impact on Native American communities. She stood alongside those most affected, participating in pilgrimages to the Sand Creek Massacre site, where acts of reflection and repentance spawned deeper understanding and empathy within the UMC. Alongside the Bishop was a growing collection of Mountain Sky members, championing collaboration with Native American leaders, fostering dialogue about the Church's historical role and pledging a commitment to a more just future.
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