Rev. Rebecca Trefz, left, presents the Wesleyan Way award to members of Huron Riverview UMC—Deb Ehlers, Rev. Teresa Person, Jean Larson, and Terry Nebelsick. Photo by jlynn Studios.

In 2007, Bishop Rueben P. Job—a United Methodist episcopal leader and native son of the Dakotas—wrote the book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living, in which he summarized Wesley's General Rules for Methodists—Do No Harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love with God. Wesley gave these rules as a response to early Methodists who were seeking a guide for living faithful, holy lives that show honor and love to God and to their neighbors. 

At the 2024 Dakotas Annual Conference, Riverview United Methodist Church in Huron, South Dakota, was recognized as one of the churches that has faithfully lived out these three simple rules. The congregation was presented with the inaugural Wesleyan Way Award.

Huron Riverview has always been a warm and welcoming neighborhood church, small but strong. However, during the past two years, God created an opportunity for them to make a significant impact.

"It was really a convergence of factors coming together that made us ready to respond," said Jean Larson, a longtime member of Riverview. Those factors included steady faithfulness through the challenges of an unexpected pastoral change that led to the appointment of an interim pastor, followed by navigating the Covid pandemic and times of financial uncertainty.

The commitment to each other and to the mission of the church laid the foundation for what was to come. Disaffiliations impacted the area in and around Huron. Riverview UMC stood up and said, "We are proudly United Methodist. The cross and flame will always have a home in this region at Riverview." With that statement and their steady posture of welcome and care, they became a beacon of light in a difficult time in that region, seeking to do no harm, do good, and love God and their neighbor in tangible ways.

In the past two years, they have welcomed 125 new members from disaffiliated churches as well as individuals from the community seeking a church home. The congregation seeks to meet them where they are and provide what they need for spiritual care and encouragemen, whether a temporary place to land or a permanent church home, offering not just a place to worship but a place to belong and be cared for.

Riverview UMC has resisted doing harm by committing to a positive vision of welcome and hospitality rather than of criticism and competition.

"As we got questions, we tried to stay away from rumors and make sure we were not blaming. [As leadership], we worked to stay on the same page with the same message and to trust each other," said Deb Ehlers, another lay member of Riverview.

The congregation has been intentional about doing good by creating space for the voices and gifts of these newcomers, making more room at the table. They have committed to staying in love with God through mission and service, worship and discipleship, care and compassion. Riverview UMC has embodied a Wesleyan way of living in a way that has renewed the commitment of longtime United Methodists and warmed the hearts of those seeking a family of faith.

Both women spoke of the need to keep moving forward, responding to the call and opportunity God has provided. "We have to figure out a way to continue to nurture them. Just because they're coming in the doors doesn't mean that they are completely feeling like this is home and that they belong," said Ehlers.

The commitment to "Doing Good" and helping people feel like they belong extends beyond simply the people who have started coming to Riverview in the past couple of years. It means continuing to reach out into the community to build relationships with and bless people who are seeking, have needs, or have wounds or scars from previous experiences with the church.

As Larson described, "We have been given a gift, and with that comes a responsibility."