In Memoriam: Dr. Richard Leo Twiss
Offering a personal reflection on the passing of Richard Twiss, Harper recounts how those close to Twiss came around him in his final days, gathering in the hospital and performing various rites that marked the end of Twiss’ life. She notes the significance the resurrection of Lazarus from John 11and the anointing of Twiss’ feet carried in her own experience and care for Twiss, as well as how it echoed his life work in contextualized ministry.
I’ll See You Later
Describing how Richard Twiss became like an uncle to him, Kriz looks back on his experience of Twiss’ passing, his interaction with him hours before he suffered a heart attack, and his initial contact with Twiss’ wife, Katherine. Kriz emphasizes the need to remember Twiss in his role as uncle, as one who encouraged but also challenged our views of relative, tribe, and earth. Twiss must be remembered for how he modeled an integrated life and served a both a spiritual sage and cultural oracle.
Tribute to Dr. Richard Twiss
Having first met Richard Twiss at the World Christian Gathering on Indigenous Peoples in 1996, Minniecon describes the role Twiss had in helping him find how to live authentically indigenous and authentically Christian. Using the picture of a desert oak, Minniecon explains how Twiss first knew how to be both indigenous and a Christian deep within himself and was therefore able to help others discover this for themselves. Fighting the cultural tides and understanding the gift the Creator had given him in his social and cultural identity, Twiss became a model for other indigenous peoples regardless of their location.
Farewell, Uncle Richard
Daniel Fan wrote the poem “Farewell Uncle Richard” in response to a vision he received shortly after learning of Richard Twiss’ passing. Twiss’ life was dedicated to honoring Creator through contextualization of the Gospel within Native American culture. Richard loved to dance at the annual Wiconi Family Camp and though he cannot take the field on earth those who remain should have no doubt that Richard now dances in Heaven at the biggest Jesus Powwow of them all.