NIOBRARA COUNCIL POLICY #1

TITLE:    Niobrara Crosses

It was Bishop Hare’s desire to give to those who took upon themselves obligations as Christians some token that would not only mark them as communicants, but also serve as a constant reminder to them of their Christian calling. In 1874, he designed a cross to serve this purpose. In 1975, the Niobrara Deanery, by action of the one hundred and third annual convocation, voted to share the Niobrara Cross with the whole church in The Diocese of South Dakota. Since that time, it has been tradition that the Bishop presents the Niobrara Cross to each person he confirmed.

From time to time a cross is either lost or placed in the casket of a loved one, and a request is made for a replacement cross.

The policy of the Niobrara Council and The Diocese of South Dakota regarding presentment of a Niobrara Crosses, either the large cross or the smaller version, will be as follows:

1.     The Bishop will present Niobrara Crosses at the time of confirmation or reception.

 

2.     The Bishop of The Diocese of North Dakota may request Niobrara Crosses from The Bishop of The Diocese of South Dakota for presentment at confirmation for members of the Standing Rock Mission in North Dakota.

 

3.     The Bishop may give a Niobrara Cross to incoming clergy to the Diocese or to other individuals at his or her discretion.

In the event a request is received for a replacement cross, the policy shall be:

     1.    The person shall contact the Priest-In-Charge of the mission or the Rector of the parish from which the person had been confirmed.

     2.    The person shall provide evidence that he or she had been confirmed in a church in The Diocese of South Dakota. This evidence of confirmation can be:

a.  A signed confirmation certificate, or

b.  Provide the date and place of confirmation so the clergy can research the church confirmation records to verify the confirmation. If those are not available or cannot be found, then

c.  Provide the date and place of confirmation and the clergy can request the Diocesan office to verify the confirmation by researching the official acts of the Bishop. If the evidence of confirmation still cannot be found,

d.  Then the person can choose to reaffirm their confirmation vows

3.     Any non-native person desiring a Niobrara Cross, and who had been confirmed or received prior to 1976, will need to be reaffirmed by the Bishop to receive a cross.

 

4.     Large replacement crosses are available for $10.00, with funds being sent to the Diocesan office. Small replacement crosses are available for $10.00 with funds being retained in the Niobrara Council funds. From time to time, the Niobrara Council shall adjust the price of the replacement crosses, based on re-ordering costs.

Niobrara Crosses, either large or small size, will not be sold for any other purpose or reason.