The Beauty Way

Issue 14/ Spring 2025

This prayer of hope was given to the Diné people who survived The Long Walk and returned home within The Four Sacred Mountains. This prayer is for our future generations to become resilient—mentally, spiritually, and physically. It also guided the vision for change within the Navajoland Area Mission and became our prayer for hope, forming the core foundation of growth and transformation.

Resolution C009 to The Episcopal Church General Convention granted The Episcopal Church in Navajoland the opportunity to pray and discern what it means to be a faithful community as Navajo (Diné) and Episcopalian. The (Diné) Navajo theological understanding of (Hózhó Naasháa doo) Walking In Beauty is rooted in our (Nihimá Nahasdzáán) Mother Earth, (Ke’) Clan Family, and (áshįįnéé) the purest act of loving, which corresponds to the Greek interpretation of “Agape.” Through these prayers, we recognize that (Diyin) Our Creator has been guiding us through these processes of change.

By recognizing our own unbalanced beliefs regarding creation and each other, we also acknowledge the imbalance present within our Diné communities. This is a community that has been fighting to preserve the language, cultural practices, and prayerful songs that define us as Diné. Our Medicine Chanters have taught us to deeply examine our own lives and, in our case, to thoroughly assess our church’s vision and mission. Through this process, we can identify a clearer path forward during this time of discernment.

The current path ahead involves ECN reviewing and discerning our core structures that comprise the beliefs of the Episcopal Church in Navajoland. We recognize three structures, or as we refer to them, streams. These streams include our Vision and Mission Statement, Canons and Constitution, and the election process for a Bishop to the Missionary Diocese of Navajoland.

One way to discern change from the usual structure is by incorporating our traditional practices into what we recognize as our way of life. Our annual Diocesan Convocation/Convention has typically been held once a year, combining the Canonical business of the church with a celebration of achievements and goals for the upcoming year. This year, we have divided the Convention into two distinct seasons: one in the spring/summer, when families traditionally “get down to business”—a time for farming, caring for newborn livestock, and gathering traditional herbs. The other gathering will be in winter, when we traditionally come together as a family in a “Hooghan nímazí,” a round traditional earthen house. During winter, families tend to stay indoors due to the harsh conditions, allowing time for learning and teaching prayer songs, weaving rugs, and crafting traditional tools for prayers. It’s a more intimate time for family togetherness.

At the spring gathering, we will address the church’s canonical business, including elections, major changes, and resolution proposals. The winter gathering will provide an opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments and prayers.

These changes to the structure of Navajoland lead us to believe that God is asking us to glorify His name to the Diné and to love what He has created for the Diné people, nurturing a deeper love for Him without shame in being Diné and showing that love within our communities. He tells us, “Áshįįnéé Shi Diné – My precious beloved, holy, and divine children, with whom I am satisfied, I love you.” When this prophetic act of healing and love becomes the path for healing within our Navajo Nation community and throughout The Episcopal Church, a world of brokenness will transform into a world of Love again. Love will Heal All…