Cancellations of events and celebrations have been prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic did not stop United Methodists across North and South Dakota from celebrating the Christ child's birth. Churches gathered outdoors, in parking lots, in cars, and virtually this Christmas.

At the United Methodist Church in Arthur, North Dakota, people in the community gathered in the parking lot to view the Christmas story, as told by the children in the congregation. The recorded service was projected on a building wall, and people listened in their cars through an FM transmitter. "There is nothing quite like hearing cars honking for Amen," says Pastor Quaya Ackerman. Arthur UMC was featured by WDAY news.

In Irene, South Dakota, members of the United Methodist Church toured the community's streets on a float singing Christmas carols. Several years ago, the Irene United Methodist Church created a replica of their church for the homecoming parade. Members of the congregation added few things, like Christmas lights, a Merry Christmas sign, and a star above the church, and toured the town of Irene singing Christmas Carols.

Carolers ride the float featuring the United Methodist Church in Irene, South Dakota. Photo by Dave Hansen.

Since St. Paul's United Methodist Church members in Jamestown, North Dakota, could not gather on Christmas Eve, they had an abbreviated candlelight service in the church parking lot. They rang the bell, had scripture and prayer, and sang Silent Night, including a German verse.

Singing Christmas carols in the parking lot at St. Paul's UMC in Jamestown. Photo submitted by St. Paul's UMC.

Like everything else this year, the United Methodist Church in Selby, South Dakota, did not have the typical children's Christmas. Knowing that many grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, and uncles love to see the Christmas program and it was decided to move the Christmas program outside with a live Nativity.

The live Nativity at the United Methodist Church in Selby, South Dakota. Photo by Pastor Darla Hadrick.

One of the Christmas program traditions, feeding people a meal, happened through the options of a ordeing a to-go meal or asking for a meal to be delivered. When people arrived to see the live Nativity, the Selby UMC youth ran out (literally) and took the order. The youth returned to the awaiting vehicle with a feast or made arrangements for the meal to be delivered.

The program featured members of Selby UMC and also community members. "People in the community found out about the living Nativity and wanted to be involved as well," says Pastor Darla Hadrick, who serves the congregation.

Every child who participated received a gift. Free Bibles were available for all those in attendance.

The congregation took a freewill offering and decided, before the event, that money collected would divide equally between the Selby UMC youth group and a family in need.

Pastor Darla says, "There was a huge turnout with many generous donations. The youth group decided to split 75-25, with 75% of all the monies collected going to four families instead of just one family. Even after the event, people are still donating! All praise and thanks to God!"

These are just four examples of the many ways that United Methodists across the Dakotas Conference celebrated this Christmas. View several photos here.