Churches, clergy and laity were recipients of awards during the 2016 Annual Conference Session held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Those receiving awards included:

Denman winners:

Rev. Sharla McCaskell, clergy recipient, Pastor Sharla McCaskell brings a grace and compassion to all her relationships bringing a warmth and welcome to everyone. Her leadership in worship is bright, encouraging and invitational—urging to "taste and see that God is good."  Her passion for Christ and others also comes through in the Bible studies she leads in and outside the church.

Beyond teaching and worship leadership that embodies the good news, Pastor Sharla also has a gift for planting visions of what the church could be, and then praising the congregation for making those dreams come into being.  Her "you can do it" coaching has brought this church from being a part of a two-point parish to a stand-alone parish. Signs of growth in numbers and spirit are everywhere in this small congregation: eleven baptisms in one family last year, eight youth in confirmation this year, children and young adults in worship, an 18% increase in giving in one year, new people being welcomed and incorporated, and church leadership inspired to pray about adding a second worship service—something that hasn't happen in nearly 30 years.

Photo: Helen Vogy, laity North Highland UMC, recieves the Harry Denman Award for Evangelism from Bishop Ough on Thursday, June 9 at the 2016 Annual Conference in Sioux Falls.  Photo by jlynn studio.

Helen Vogt, laity recipient, Helen has been a Methodist since her youth and came to North Highland UMC in Aberdeen from Hennepin Avenue UMC over 30 years ago. If there is anyone who personifies the United Methodist’s tag line of: Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors it is Helen. Her approach to evangelism is strongly rooted in Imago Dei and never judgment or assumption. She is gifted at re-framing responses and finding examples to assist another to realize that they have experienced God’s Spirit of presence, grace and guidance, even though they could not, or did not name it as such. By this approach, others are awakened to the realization that the Spirit of the Living Christ has been there all along, and now a process of transformation can begin. She is doggedly affirmative in all ways of sharing the good news.

The youth and young adult award to three young women from Olivet United Methodist Church—Tess Oplinger, Jaedyn Oplinger and Carol Johnson. These three young women were nominated by several members of their church and community, who wrote, “In my opinion we have three young women here in Olivet that are true evangelists—Tess Oplinger, Jaedyn Oplinger and Carol Johnson. They are high school students that were confirmed a short time ago. During Pastor Tom Peterson’s instructions they decided that they wanted to reinstate VBS in the church. VBS had gone away in Olivet because, as one member put it, “we are a “mature” group.” Their dream ministered to 53 children last July.  Many of these young people were “unchurched” or “lightly churched”.

Tess, Jaedyn and Carol have been an active part of the church all their lives. They provide music, readings, skits, puppeteering, are members of the youth group, acolytes, serve in Sunday school and also participate in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. They also actively bring other youth visitors to worship. See a video recording of their response here.

One Matters:

The One Matters Award is offered through Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church.  The award recognizes churches each conference that are turning zeros into positive numbers with a renewed focus on discipleship

Arthur UMC--Arthur is a nice small farming community northeast of Fargo.  The city population is 337, having seen a 16% decline in the last 14 years.  The church membership sits at 132.  The normal mindset that comes as we consider a ministry setting like this one is that the potential just may not be there for any type of missional outreach or growth.  It’s “too little” and not like the larger communities where the population continues to climb.

And yet – in 2014, after witnessing the last profession of faith in the congregation coming 7 years before in 2007, the statistic at the end of 2014 showed SIX professions of faith.  Six persons who previously had not made a commitment to follow Christ and come into the life and ministry of the church, indeed did so.  Is this what we are talking about when we talk of “missional” churches?

Gary UMC--Gary, South Dakota sits on the Minnesota border, south and east of Watertown.  It has a town population of 227.  The last time the population of Gary was above 300 was in 1986 – 30 years ago.  

The church’s membership has also seen a slow and yet consistent decline over those same years, with a current membership of about 95, and worship attendance of 50.  In 2004, one person was received on profession of faith – prior to that, it was 2001 in which a profession was made in the church.  Certainly this congregation would be in the category of surviving, but we would look elsewhere to search for growth, wouldn’t we?  And yet, both 2013 saw three professions of faith and four baptisms in 2014.  Apparently, someone forgot to tell Gary United Methodist that when you are this little, you are not supposed to grow anymore!  This proves that when love is shared and the invitation is made, that people will respond to the Gospel and to making a commitment to serve Christ, no matter what the size of the church and community.

Francis Asbury:

Charlie Moore, Madison UMC felt a calling to reach out to students at Dakota State. There had not previously been a United Methodist presence on campus or any substantive connection with the Madison United Methodist Church.  His first inroad was through the football team.  Through connections he made with the coaching staff, he was invited to attend the home games and do the pregame and postgame prayers.  He also began texting prayers to the team for away games.

Using some funds from the Conference grant, Moore has also taken the step to be a visible presence for the entire campus.  He has rented an office in the student union and is on campus every Monday. This has opened up the opportunity for him to connect with students who are searching for something to believe in or seeking guidance when dealing with personal issues.  It has also allowed him to expend his relationship with the football team members. Through these relational connections, he has also invited many students to form a praise band that has begun leading the contemporary worship at the church.

Moore and the team he is creating are starting a campus-wide bible study this spring, led by him and some of the students.

Streams of Justice:

Photo: Representatives from Rapid City churches receive the Streams of Justice award from Rev. Gail Arnold. Left to right: Gail Arnold, Karl Kroger, Greg Kroger, Sharla McCaskell, John McKnight, DeAnn Eidem and Kevin Kloster.

Rapid City area churches--Cayon Lake UMC, Knollwood Heights UMC, Piedmont Grace UMC, Rapid City First UMC, Rapid City South Maple UMC and Rapid Valley UMC, under the direction of Rev. Kevin Kloster, Prairie Hills District Superintendent, received the Streams of Justice Award.  “The Streams of Justice” annual award calls attention to a United Methodist sponsored program or event which promotes justice in our Annual Conference. 

The Stream of Justice award is dedicated to ministries on Native American reservations, local churches and outreach centers in communities (rural and urban), and state-wide and regional organizations which have programs that offer components of justice education, advocacy and empowerment in addition to material assistance and spiritual support.  Rapid City area churches have facilitated several efforts to reach out and create a culture of reconciliation with the Native American community in the Rapid City area including: the HOPE Center, the Community Unity celebration, Shoebox Christmas gifts, pumpkin patch, and more…

Rapid City area churches received a cash stipend of $500 will accompany and a copy of the “Poverty & Justice Bible” (with passages highlighted in orange) from the American Bible Society.

Youth Ministry:

Two youth ministry awards were distributed during the Ministry Festival on Friday, June 10, in Sioux Falls.  The Youth worker Hall of Fame award was given to Tracie Haley, Winner UMC.  This award is given to someone who has dedicated extensive years of commitment to youth and young adult ministry.

Rev. Kori Lehrkamp, Highmore / Harold / Blunt UMC, was awarded the Darrell Leach Youth Worker of the Year award.  Lehrkamp has been instrumental in encouraging youth to attend camp and providing leadership to the Blunt, Harold, Highmore UMC’s youth ministry.

Photo: Pastor Kori Lehrkamp poses for a photo after receiving the Darrell Leach Youth Worker award at the 23d session of the Dakotas Annual Conference in Sioux Falls.  Photo from instagram.