On February 17th, 2024, a special Pow Wow was held at Native American United Methodist Church in Anaheim, CA. People from all over California, various states, and even Oklahoma gathered to honor and celebrate the 90th birthday of Winnie Esther James, a recognized elder in the Native American community of Southern California.
Winnie James has been a part of the Native American UMC from L.A. to Norwalk to Anaheim. She came out to California in the late 1950s from Oklahoma on the Relocation program. She is full Chickasaw, went to Boarding School, and came to California working in the aerospace industry as an Administrative Assistant. She has been a member of Cal-Pac’s Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) for more than 30 years. Whenever the church attended a community event, set up a booth, or was at Annual Conference, Winnie was there. She has also been a part of the national CONAM or Native American Comprehensive Plan for decades and involved with UMW throughout the years as well. Winnie James was also an excellent athlete and was part of the Native American sports leagues, playing softball, basketball, and bowling.
Rev. Gregory Douglas, pastor of Native American UMC, said, “When I attend an event or set up a booth, everyone wants to know where Winnie is or how she is doing. Whenever there were funds to be raised, a mission to support, an event that needed helpers, or a group to assist, Winnie was there.”
During the 90th birthday celebration, representatives of our Cal-Pac Conference (Rev. Ken Suhr, Rev. Dr. Denyse Barnes, Sandee Furuta, and Sunnie Suhr) were invited to come forward to bless and honor Elder Winnie James. Rev. Ken shared words of blessings, then read and presented a certificate of acknowledgment and congratulations from Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, and the whole representative Cal-Pac team then presented and wrapped Elder Winnie James in a Pendleton buffalo patterned blanket.
The Pow Wow was a blessed time of drumming, dancing, singing, honoring, eating, and celebrating. Family and friends shared stories of Winnie’s grace, kindness, love, wisdom, service, excellent athletic skills, and the impact she has had on people’s lives and communities.
True to her character of grace and generosity, there was a time during the Pow Wow when all in attendance came forward to give money to Winnie as a sign of respect and honor. After all had come forward, Winnie turned right around and gave it to the drummers and singers.
“Elder Winnie is a true blessing and tangible witness of God’s grace and love, and she is good medicine for all who know her and have the privilege of spending time with her.” -Rev. Ken Suhr
