"I hope to learn to love people more because I have trouble sometimes loving people who don't like me back me too," shared Jordan Platt, a high school student from Downtown Mitchell (S.D.) First United Methodist Church. Making this hope a reality was one of the goals of Platt and other members of the Dakotas Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM), who planned and led the Winter Connection gatherings this past weekend.   

Held at three locations across the Dakotas Conference, Winter Connection is an annual youth event where middle and high school students can grow in their connection to God, one another, and the community where the event is held.  

This year's theme was "Don't be a Jerk: Love Everyone," based on the scripture  John 3:16-17. Throughout the weekend, youth wrestled with these verses, exploring what it means to love everyone just as God loves us. This message—don't take love for granted, recognize God's love, which encompasses you and your neighbor— set the tone for the event. In just under 24 hours, attendees gathered for worship, participated in a service experience, and had fun with new and old friends.   

"Winter Connection is fun because you get to go away for a bit, meet new people, and do fun activities," said Denver Jenner, a student from First United Methodist Church in Watertown, S.D. , who attended at the Fargo site.

Holding the event at three locations reduces the obstacles of travel time and logistics that may make attending other Conference events challenging. It is often a great entry point for youth to experience the power of connection.

"As United Methodists, events like Winter Connection help our youth live into our (and their) connectional identity," said Rev. Seth LaBounty, an adult member of CCYM from Hartford, S.D. "While our camping ministries and DakYouth also provide such opportunities, Winter Connection helps bring that focus to a smaller, more approachable level and allows students and their youth leaders to 'dip their toes' into what youth ministry in the Dakotas is able to accomplish together in the strength of our connection through God's Holy Spirit."

In western South Dakota, Canyon Lake UMC in Rapid City hosted youth from churches in the district. Youth had the opportunity to serve at one of our Dakotas mission sites—the Solar Oven Partners workshop at Open Heart UMC in Rapid City. Participants also had a fun outing at Flags and Wheels amusement park to end the day.

Some of the youth in Rapid City worked to make components for Solar Ovens Partners.

Kristal Hamm, Youth Director at Piedmont Grace UMC, said the event was great for the ten youth from her church, who got to reconnect with friends they'd made at previous CCYM events. "I just enjoy it. I like seeing them interact with the other kids from the other different churches around the area. I'm just having a good time in a safe place and and learning and growing."

She also appreciated the message of the event theme, adding, “I did like the message to not be a jerk because I think especially with social media in this day and age, in this timeframe in the world, we have become so desensitized to putting stuff online."

In the Southeast District, the worship team from Dakota Wesleyan University campus ministry led opening worship with campus pastor Rev. Anthony Purcell, who shared a teaching about learning what it looks like to love and what it looks like not to be a jerk because sometimes being a jerk just seems easier. The Saturday morning agenda included packing hygiene kits with toothpaste, toothbrushes, washcloths, socks, and deodorant for Home for Now, a homelessness ministry in Mitchell, followed by an afternoon of creativity at Your Shop.

The Rapid City group took the afternoon off and raced go-carts at a local amusement park.

First United Methodist Church in Fargo, N.D. was the host site for the North Dakota location.

Engaging in meaningful worship led by Rev. Bryce Blank from First UMC in Watertown, S.D., and the youth praise band from Bismarck Legacy, a service project and reflections on how we live out the message of loving everyone was the core of the time together. Games, creative projects, hands-on activities, and a trip to Skyzone rounded out the regional gathering.

The event is fun for youth, but it's also a time of connection and support for the adult youth workers who walk alongside these students in their journey of life and faith.

"I enjoy having the chance to deepen my connection with my friends and colleagues and also meet new people, whether it be youth or adults," said Rev. Amber Laffey, who attended the event at the Mitchell site with some of her youth from Alexandria United Methodist Church. "It may be hard with sports and other activities. But I think it's important to give your kids more time together, and they always love meeting kids from other towns."  

Members of CCYM hope this spirit of love and connection will continue to be lived out through invitation and sharing the joy of what is experienced when Dakotas United Methodist Youth gather.  

"I heard what a great time people had last year, so I wanted to see it for myself," said Kenzie Giziewski, CCYM member and youth from First UMC in Yankton, S.D. The event did not disappoint. "You should definitely come and bring friends."  

Platt summed it up with words that echo the DWU campus ministry motto. "It's better when you're here."