Ray Buckley Led an Inspiring Bible Study on the Importance of Our Names at Wisconsin 
Annual Conference.
On Saturday, June 8th, Ray Buckley, a renowned author and speaker on Native American spirituality, presented an inspiring Bible Study on the importance of the names we are given and live by. He presented many topics about discipleship. I particularly am inspired as he talks about his older brother.
I studied Mr. Buckley’s book, Dances with Words, in a Lay Servant Class last year, and I greatly loved that book. I was delighted when I learned that Mr. Buckley would be at our annual conference. He addressed all the laity Friday night and led Bible Study on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
As noted in the Conference news, on Saturday, he spoke on the significance of the names children are given at birth within the Native American culture. As he explained, you cannot know someone without knowing their name, whether they have eaten, and how well they have slept. He explained how the Native American culture “pulls all of their people into relationships.” For example, he said, there is no word for child, brother or sister…it is “my child, my brother, my sister.” He also said that we shouldn’t live by the names of derision that others give us. We need to be positive about who we are and live out our sacred names. Click here to watch the full video from the morning.
Hopeful 