2021 Conference Workbook

Conference Workbook

28th Session of the Dakotas Conference The United Methodist Church June 11-12, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

SECTION Section 1:

Section 2:

Legislation

4

1.1 Organizational Resolutions 1.2 Resolution A Vision for a More Just Church 1.3 Resolution on Preparing for Denominational Separation 1.4 2022 Budget Proposal

4 5 6

Consent Calendar

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Section 3:

Cabinet Resolutions Equitable Compensation Schedule Housing Allowance for Clergy, Staff and District Superintendents Rental/ Housing Allowances for Retired and Disabled Clergy Resolution to Affirm Reports

Elected Leaders

3.1 Nominations Committee Report Section 4:

Conference Reports

4.1 Common Table 4.2 Conference Commission on Archives and History 4.3 Communications 4.4 Sessions 4.5 Executive Director of Ministries 4.6 Developing Missional Leaders Link 4.6.1 Board of Ordained Ministry 4.6.2 Camp and Retreat Ministries 4.6.3 Conference Council on Youth Ministry 4.6.4 Financial Health and Generosity 4.6.5 Higher Ground 4.6.6 Lay Servant Ministry 4.6.7 United Methodist Women 4.7 Equipping Missional Congregations Link 4.7.1 New Church Development 4.7.2 Revitalization Existing Congregations 4.8 Extending Missional Impact Link 4.8.1 Bakken Oil Rush Ministry—Out in Faith 4.8.2 Bakken Oil Rush Ministry—Watford City 4.8.3 Open Door Community Center 4.8.4 Solar Oven Partners 4.8.5 Southeast Pierre Mission UMC and Community Center 4.8.6 Spirit Lake Ministry 4.8.7 Tree of Life Ministry

8 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 28 28 28 29 30 30 31 31 31 33 33 34 34 35 36 36 36 37 37 38 39 39 40 40 41

2

Section 5

4.9 Generating Missional Resources Link 4.9.1 Builders Club 4.9.2 Conference Council on Finance and Administration 4.9.3 Dakotas United Methodist Foundation 4.9.4 Human Resources Committee 4.9.5 Board of Pensions 4.9.6 Board of Trustees Agencies and University Reports 5.1 Africa University 5.2 Dakota Wesleyan University 5.2 Drew University Theological School 5.3 Duke Divinity School 5.4 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary 5.5 St. Paul School of Theology 5.6 United Theological Seminary 5.7 Welsey Theological Seminary

42 42 42 43 43 44 46 47 47 47 49 49 50 50 52 52

Section Legislation 1.1 Organizational Resolutions 1. The online agenda is the official agenda. Adjustments are made throughout the session as necessary. All requests for additional items to be placed on the agenda shall be emailed to the agenda coordinator, Duane Coates (dcoates70@yahoo.com), at least 48 hours before the start of Annual Conference session.

2. The session will be a hybrid format. The boundaries of the Annual Conference shall be established through seating areas provided for clergy and lay members at each of the sites First United Methodist Church in Fargo, North Dakota, First United Methodist Church in Rapid City, South Dakota, McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck, North Dakota and the Convention Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Voting members will be seated in the designated areas and will be identified by the color of their nametag. a. The Convention Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota will serve as the broadcast site. b. During Plenary Sessions all non-voting persons, including spouses of clergy and lay members, will be seated in areas designed for guest. c. Lay representatives from non-chartered new church starts, Elisha and Samuel Project interns (who are not lay members), retired clergy persons who have served churches of the Dakotas Conference but who are members of other annual conferences, and special guests of the Bishop will be recognized as guests and may be seated with voting members. d. Any non-members participating at hosted sites shall not have voice or vote, except for those non- members whom the Sessions Committee has extended temporary speaking privileges. Those privileges shall be for the restricted purpose of making presentations on agenda items.

3. The District Superintendents shall receive and relay to the presiding officer all requests of members to be excused from the Annual Conference Session. Those names will be printed in the journal.

4. Voting will take place at each site with tellers present and reporting the results to the head teller located at the Convention Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

5. Voice — To be recognized to speak to the floor or body, members must seek recognition by going to a designated area at each site and requesting to speak. When making a request, please to state the purpose of the request, such as to speak for a motion, against a motion, ask for a point of clarification or information, point of order, etc. a. Moderators at remote sites will bring questions or requests to speak to the attention of the presiding officer. a. The presiding officer will recognize the speaker by location and give the speaker the floor. b. When requesting recognition, please state the request concisely and clearly and refer to the agenda item, if applicable. c. If you are recognized to speak by the presiding officer, from a remote site, you will present with audio and video.

6. Floor speakers are requested to state name, church or organization, and relationship to the body — “Sally Jones, Sioux Falls First UMC, lay member.” Floor speeches are limited to three minutes.

7. Requests for personal points of privilege shall be submitted to the agenda coordinator. Remote sites can submit requests through the site moderator.

8. The following persons shall be given the privilege of voice and vote during plenary session: a. Clergy and laity as defined in Par. 602 of the 2016 Book of Discipline and Rule 6.11 in the Dakotas Conference Rules and Policies found in the Conference Journal b. Clergy from other denominations serving in Dakotas United Methodist Churches who have been granted voice and voting privileges by the clergy session per Question 25 in the Business of the Annual Conference.

9. Announcements shall be submitted through to the head teller at each of the sites. They will be shared by the presiding officer or conference secretary during the session if time allows or following the session through conference communication channels.

10. All reports from conference and other related agencies are published in the conference workbook. Permission must be secured from the agenda coordinator at least 48 hours in advance of the Annual Conference session before any other printed materials may be distributed. Materials must be submitted in a digital format (pdf ).

11. The consent calendar shall be those items listed on the consent calendar Section 2 of the conference workbook. Requests to lift items from the consent calendar must be submitted to the conference secretary by email (conference.secretary@dakotasumc.org ) at least 48 hours before the opening of session. In the request list the specific item number you are requesting to be lifted and the names and email addresses of at least 15 voting members that agree with the request.

12. Any proposals to change legislation, such as amendments, must be submitted electronically to the conference secretary digitally, using the strikethrough feature for removing information from the legislation and underlining new proposed language.

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1.2 Resolution A Vision for a More Just Church Title: A Vision for a More Just Church Submitted by: Karl Kroger, Brett Roes, Teresa Whetsel, Nicole Clade, Richard Wahlstrom, Ray Baker Action: The specific action to be voted upon is for the Dakotas Annual Conference, and it's leadership, to stop harm to LGBTQ+ persons.

Relationship to the scriptural imperatives and rationale: Heals a broken world: begins the process of healing with our LGBTQ+ siblings. Reach New People: begin to invest in people beyond their orientation and identity. updated 05/22/21 Implementation: The leadership of the Annual Conference - District Superintendents, Bishop (interim and resident); Lay Leaders; Chairs of Conference Committees; Staff of the Annual Conference; Board of Ordained Ministry; District Committees on Ordained Ministry; District leaders; etc. updated 05/22/21 Outcome: The result of this resolution will be implementing processes to help lead our annual conference forward and to lean into Wesley's Simple Rules - do good, do no harm, and stay in love with God. Resources required and potential financial impact: Resources needed: No anticipated resources required. updated 05/22/21 RESOLUTION: Whereas, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people (LGBTQ+) are of sacred worth, beloved by God, made in the image of God, called by God, and are essential members of The United Methodist Church (UMC), including the Dakotas Annual Conference; and Whereas, The UMC has repeatedly harmed its LGBTQ+ members and clergypersons through its restrictive policies around ordination and same-sex marriages (Discipline, ¶161.C, ¶304.3, Petitions 90032, 90036, 90042, 90043,); and Whereas, many LGBTQ+ members and clergypersons have remained faithful to the UMC, continuing to offer their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness, despite being labeled as “incompatible with Christian teaching” (Discipline, ¶304.3); and Whereas, The Book of Discipline urges the inclusion of all people in the life of the church (Discipline, ¶214); and Whereas, the Dakotas Annual Conference has resolved to include our LGBTQ+ siblings, celebrate their gifts, be in ministry with them, and work to eliminate all discriminatory language, restrictions, and penalties in the Discipline regarding LGBTQ+ persons; Therefore, be it resolved, we urge the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church to intentionally invite and welcome LGBTQ+ persons at all levels of leadership; and Be it further resolved, we urge the Board of Ordained Ministry to not consider a candidates’ sexual orientation in evaluating qualifications for ordination; and Be it further resolved, we urge local United Methodist Churches in the Dakotas Conference to welcome and include LGBTQ+ members in full participation within the local church, and Be it further resolved, we respect our clergys’ faithful discernment regarding whom they will and will not marry – knowing that some will choose to marry same-sex couples and others will not; and Be it further resolved, we urge the Bishop to refrain from conducting clergy trials related to ordinations of LGBTQ+ persons or same-sex marriages.

Respectfully submitted by: Ray Baker, elder in full connection appointed to Fargo Faith UMC; Nicole Clade, elder in full connection appointed to the Minnesota Conference; Karl Kroger, elder in full connection appointed to Bismarck McCabe UMC; Brett Roes, licensed local paster appointed to Rapid City Canyon Lake UM;, Richard Wahlstrom, lay member of Rapid City Canyon Lake UMC; Teresa Whetsel, licensed local pastor appointed to Miller UMC.

5

1.3 Resolution on Preparing for Denominational Separation Title: Resolution on Preparing for Denominational Separation Submitted by: Roger Spahr, Keith Nelson, Jeff Pospisil Action: This is clearly articulated in the resolution, but it authorizes the various boards and agencies of the Dakotas UMC to make specific preparatory steps for the likely split of the United Methodist denomination.

Relationship to imperatives: This is also articulated in the resolution. If a separation is more or less inevitable, can we separate in a way that would be a good witness to the world (heal a broken world). An amicable separation should also leave churches in a better position (financially, emotionally, and spiritually) to not lose focus on each of the imperatives as well as the mission.

Implementation: This is clearly laid out in the resolution.

Outcome: Over the course of one year, the Dakotas UMC will be much more prepared for General Conference action. Even if a General Conference fails to approve a separation, the majority of the actions would likely be a positive step forward for a united Dakotas UMC. Resources: This is spelled out in the resolution. The apportioned budget should not be impacted as the resolution would authorize the Transitional Reserve Fund to cover overages that may result.

RESOLUTION: Whereas the next session of the General Conference seems likely to authorize an ordered separation of The United Methodist Church as evidenced by support for the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation and similar legislation; Whereas we acknowledge that our local churches and pastors in the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church would then be separated into multiple separate denominations; Whereas our Journey Toward Vitality includes equipping missional congregations in the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, which includes our LORD’s imperative to heal a broken world; Whereas our society, denomination, and church universal are deeply divided and would greatly benefit from an example of Christian charity in the midst of significant differences of opinion and thought; Whereas the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation calls for a so-called winner-take-all separation within Annual Conferences where only one denomination would receive the accumulated resources of the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church. This type of separation is rarely amicable and would likely spoil our witness to the world and harm our mission; Whereas there is much that we currently have authority to do prior to General Conference that would help prepare our churches and people for the impact of such a separation as well as prepare for potentially multiple healthy expressions of Methodism in the Dakotas; Therefore, Be It Resolved that we, the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church, authorize and direct the following preparations be made for the likely separation, in a spirit of mutual love and respect: 1. The Common Table formally recognize those that would initially serve as leadership teams within the Dakotas of the separate denominations; 2. The Board of Pensions of the Dakotas Annual Conference, Inc. make preparations for being able to serve multiple denominations including the development of policies to equitably use funds in that service such as the Retiree Health Fund, the various reserve funds, and the Care and Concern Fund; 3. The Dakotas United Methodist Foundation make preparation for being able to serve multiple denominations including the development of policies to govern the distribution of grant, endowment, and scholarship monies that will honor the documented intent of donors and, as much as practical and possible, equitably benefit both denominations; 4. The Council on Finance and Administration prepare a proposal for the equitable division of cash and investments. The Council would also prepare a plan for the use of the Transitional Reserve Fund to cover the expenses of the separation not provided for in the apportioned budget of the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church; 5. The Camp and Retreat Ministry Council prepare a proposal to preserve a camping ministry in the Dakotas that will benefit multiple denominations; 6. The Missional Impact Link prepare a plan to independently incorporate Spirit Lake Ministry Center and Solar Oven Partners and transfer land owned in Mission, SD to Tree of Life Ministries. Also that the Link will meet with the boards of these ministries and other United-Methodist-related ministries in the Dakotas for the purpose of explaining 6

the separation and encouraging them to seek relationship with multiple denominations; 7. The Human Resources Committee provide direction and guidance to personnel of the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church in serving in this time of separation; Be it further resolved; these preparations shall be completed by 2022 session of the Annual Conference; Be it further resolved, the named boards and committees are responsible in seeing that each step of preparation is completed.

This does not restrict these boards and committees from seeking the services of volunteers, staff, or consultants. Expenses in excess of the apportioned budget for these boards and committees should be brought to the attention of the Council on Finance and Administration so as to be reimbursed by the Transitional Reserve Fund; Be it further resolved, local churches desiring to declare their intention to affiliate with one of the denominations prior to the General Conference session shall notify the recognized leadership of that denomination and their District Superintendent. A record of such declarations will be kept to be reported at the next session of the Annual Conference and in the Journal. A local church’s legal status within the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church will not change at this time; Be it further resolved, local churches voting to disaffiliate to become independent shall remain subject to the current rules and policies governing disaffiliations from the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Respectfully submitted by: Roger Spahr, elder in full connection appointed to retirement; Keith Nelson, elder in full connection appointed to Mitchell Downtown First UMC, Jeff Pospisil, lay member of the Dakotas Conference serving as Executive Director of Finance and Administration for the Dakotas Conference.

7

2022 PROPOSED BUDGET 2022 Budget 2021 Apportioned Budget

Apportioned

Foundation

Donations / Other

2022 Total Budget

Developing Missional Leaders

386,800

409,512

210,000

1,010,600

1,630,112

Equipping Missional Congregations

145,000

181,300

251,000

349,660

732,660

Extending Missional Impact

896,804

912,086

73,000

700,000

1,685,086

51,700

65,700

0

0

65,700

1,355,094

1,310,853

123,000

62,800

1,496,653

711,153

693,000

0

0

693,000

0

-250,000

8,500

0

-241,500

3,546,552

3,322,451

665,500

2,123,060

6,111,011

0

0

0

978,615

978,615

2,759,534

2,872,716

12,000

32,000

2,916,716

2,759,534

2,872,716

12,000

1,010,615

3,895,331

6,306,086

6,195,167

677,500

3,133,675

10,006,342

Generating Missional Resources Support Services Cabinet Savings Fund/Trans. Reserve Subtotal Pension & Insurance Direct Bills to Churches Subtotal Total

Note: Foundation includes funds the Conference expects to receive as endowment distributions or withdrawal of accumulated investment earnings. Donations/Other is primarily made up of donations from individuals or churches but also includes grants, registration fees, and reimbursements. *Updated 05/27/2021

8

Treasurer’s Discussion & Analysis Overview For 2022, an apportioned budget of $3,322,451 is being recommended. This is a 6.3% decrease from 2021. This recommendation also includes reducing the apportionment in 2022 to 15%. To help make this reduction in percentage, the plan is to draw up to $250,000 from the Transitional Reserve Fund (currently valued at $1.4 million). This use of the Transitional Reserve Fund would need to be approved by the Common Table, the Board of Pensions, and the Council on Finance and Administration (CFA).

Apportionments moving toward a tithe: Back at the 2019 Annual Conference, a motion was brought forward by Jodi Cataldo to direct the CFA to present a plan to lower the apportionment percentage from 16% to 10% over by 2023. Although the motion was defeated, CFA, with the help of the Strategy Team, has chosen to work towards a 10% apportionment as this is a more biblical model and more sustainable for our churches. This is also in alignment with our long-term strategy of recommending an affordable and aligned budget.

The plan would be to reduce the apportionment percentage by one percent each year until 10% is reached. Depending on apportionment participation, this will mean an approximately $200,000 decrease in the apportioned budget each year.

Highlights: In general, the 2022 budget is very similar to the 2021 budget with these notable exceptions: •

• •

•

Large Church Revitalization: The Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI) has run it’s course. The MCCI process may still be used on occasion as needed, but primary means of equipping larger churches will be the Nonprofit Church Leadership program run in partnership with Dakota Wesleyan Church and the Minnesota conference. For 2022, $20,000 is included for this program.

Small Church Revitalization: With the Lilly grant, we are establishing the Rural Ministry Initiative which is aimed at connecting, equipping, and training our rural churches. An emphasis will be on providing for new leadership models that can maximize the gifts and callings of our laity.

D&O; Workers Comp: We had a large workers comp claim that was settled recently. This has led to a sizable premium increase.

Trustees: With the sale of all our conference parsonages, we are able to draw down 5% of the fund holding the proceeds each year to help offset the cost of cash housing allowances. With the strong returns from the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation, that 5% has grown greatly Common Table: $15,000 was budget to provide for our delegation to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences.

Staffing: Staffing is staying the same as 2021. This staffing level is not realistic in the long-term. We owe Rebecca Trefz and Deb Kjerstad our gratitude and prayers for holding down two positions during this time.

General Church Apportionments: CFA has chosen to include the lower amount for these apportionments based on the budget being recommended to the General Conference. While this is in violation of the recent Judicial Council decision, it is consistent with common sense and the practice of several other conferences.

Jeff Pospisil, Treasurer

9

Apportioned Budget Detail Program/Pathway

2020 Actual 2021 Budget

2022 Budget

$ Change

% Change

DEVELOPING MISSIONAL LEADERS MISSIONAL LEADER LINK

0

500

500

0

0.0%

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

13,790

18,450

18,700

250

1.4%

BOARD OF ORDAINED MINISTRY

45,279

52,727

69,400

16,673

31.6%

MINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUND

29,870

30,373

29,412

-961

-3.2%

1,721

2,500

2,500

0

0.0%

0

3,750

2,500

-1,250

-33.3%

9,168

19,550

19,550

0

0.0%

179,541

129,500

135,000

5,500

4.2%

12,991

10,500

13,000

2,500

23.8%

3,722

30,800

30,800

0

0.0%

75,187

86,250

86,250

0

0.0%

754

1,700

1,700

0

0.0%

0

200

200

0

0.0%

372,022

386,800

409,512

22,712

5.9%

300

0

0.0%

LAY SERVANT MINISTRY LAY LEADER CAMPING & YOUTH OFFICE CAMPING & RETREAT MINISTRIES YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ON YOUTH MINISTRIES YOUNG ADULT & HIGHER ED SAFE & SACRED PLACES NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE DEVELOPING MISSIONAL LEADERS

EQUIPPING MISSIONAL CONGREGATIONS MISSIONAL CONGREGATIONS LINK

0

DIRECTOR OF MINISTRIES OFFICE NEW CHURCHES LARGE CHURCH REVITALIZATION

3,260

10,700

10,700

0

0.0%

98,174

116,500

116,500

0

0.0%

(13,700)

(8,000)

35,000

43,000

n/a

37

8,000

0

-8,000

-100.0%

4,851

17,500

18,800

1,300

7.4%

92,622

145,000

181,300

36,300

25.0%

RURAL MINISTRY INITIATIVE TOOLS/TRAINING FOR CHURCHES EQUIPPING MISSIONAL CONGREGATIONS

300

EXTENDING MISSIONAL IMPACT MISSIONAL IMPACT LINK GENERAL APPORTIONMENTS CONNECTIONAL MISSIONS CONFERENCE MISSIONARIES EXTENDING MISSIONAL IMPACT

74

300

800

500

166.7%

665,359

753,004

736,786

-16,218

-2.2%

27,966

26,500

32,750

6,250

23.6%

162,250

117,000

141,750

24,750

21.2%

855,649

896,804

912,086

15,282

1.7%

GENERATING MISSINAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF FINANCE & ADMIN

0

1,000

1,000

0

0.0%

FINANCE OFFICE

9,555

25,700

25,700

0

0.0%

D&O; WORKER’S COMP COVERAGE

8,684

5,000

9,000

4,000

80.0%

EQUITABLE COMPENSATION

33,600

20,000

30,000

10,000

50.0%

GENERATING MISSINAL RESOURCES

51,839

51,700

65,700

14,000

27.1%

*Due to rounding, small discrepancies can by found in the totals.

10

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENCY SHARED EXPENSES

17,121

10,000

10,000

0

0.0%

SOUTHEAST

112,267

133,661

114,235

-19,426

-14.5%

NORTHEAST

120,923

144,861

145,352

491

0.3%

NORTHWEST

123,463

146,061

143,952

-2,109

-1.4%

SOUTHWEST

100,162

143,470

146,361

2,891

2.0%

19,370

20,000

20,000

0

0.0%

1,423

4,800

4,800

0

0.0%

136,517

105,000

105,000

0

0.0%

509

500

500

0

0.0%

DISTRICT BUILDING & LOCATION

0

500

500

0

0.0%

RESPONSE TEAM

0

2,300

2,300

0

0.0%

631,756

711,153

693,000

-18,153

-2.6%

CONTINGENCY FUNDS INTRODUCTORY MEETINGS MOVING FUND DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENCY COMM

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENCY

SUPPORT SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

20,350

40,700

40,700

0

0.0%

UMCONNECT

24,423

37,000

37,000

0

0.0%

1,348

4,125

5,125

1,000

24.2%

CONF SECRETARY/JOURNAL TRUSTEES

114,202

156,310

82,908

-73,402

-47.0%

CHANCELLORS

4,975

10,000

15,000

5,000

50.0%

ANNUAL CONFERENCE SESSION

4,845

55,835

62,000

6,165

11.0%

COMMON TABLE

3,832

11,200

25,000

13,800

123.2%

0

1,250

1,250

0

0.0%

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE EPISCOPACY COMMITTEE

58

4,400

4,400

0

0.0%

38,640

37,970

39,950

1,980

5.2%

862,125

971,304

972,520

1,216

0.1%

28,313

25,000

25,000

0

0.0%

1,103,112

1,355,094

1,310,853

-44,241

-3.3%

-250,000

-250,000

n/a

ARCHIVES & HISTORY CONFERENCE CENTER OPERATIONS AREA OFFICE SUPPORT SUPPORT SERVICES

SAVINGS FUND WITH FOUNDATION

0

0

TOTAL EXPENSES OTHER UNRESTRICTED INCOME APPORTIONED INCOME

3,107,001

3,546,551

3,322,451

3,546,551

3,322,451

448,976 2,875,330

*Due to rounding, small discrepancies can by found in the totals.

11

Pension & Insurance Detail

1 HealthFlex Premiums - Actives

2019

2020

2021

2022

Actual

Actual

Budget

Request

1,329,494

1,307,748

1,325,622

1,482,915

588,427

573,267

665,784

713,615

Retiree Health Admin Expenses

22,402

12,300

22,000

13,000

Medicare Part B

72,834

74,920

75,000

75,000

13,000

30,000

Retiree HRA Contributions

Allowance for Uncollected (1%) HealthFlex Expenses

2,013,157

1,969,235

2,101,406

2,314,530

-72,500

-88,000

-104,000

-113,000

-1,348,342

-1,051,099

-1,325,622

-1,482,915

CPP Redirect

-121,000

0

0

0

Retiree Health Fund Transfer

-588,427

-573,267

-665,784

-713,615

-5,412

-4,809

-6,000

-5,000

-2,135,681

-1,717,175

-2,101,406

-2,314,530

-122,524

252,060

0

0

HF Reserve Transfer (Pre-82 in PY) Direct Bill Churches

Investment Earnings - Deposit Acct HealthFlex Offsets Expenses Less Offsets

2 Pension Program Premiums CPP

0

186,005

246,447

250,830

CRSP-DC

243,843

238,937

238,753

243,472

CRSP-DB

765,941

739,917

737,213

680,624

UMPIP - Parish Contribution

215,175

207,733

256,543

254,482

15,000

14,000

Allowance for Uncollected (1%) Pension Expenses

1,224,959

1,372,592

1,493,956

1,443,408

Direct Bill Churches

-1,369,207

-1,140,213

-1,433,912

-1,389,801

Conference Budgets

-43,847

-42,009

-45,044

-38,607

Endowment / Investment Earnings

-16,443

-14,533

-15,000

-15,000

-1,429,497

-1,196,755

-1,493,956

-1,443,408

Pension Offsets Expenses Less Offsets

-204,538

175,837

0

*Due to rounding, small discrepancies can by found in the totals.

12

0

3 Benefit Grants

27,925

19,145

40,000

40,000

8,648

4,180

12,000

15,000

93,974

83,180

108,000

111,000

130,547

106,505

160,000

166,000

-130,547

-106,505

-160,000

-166,000

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Program, Seminars, Stipends, Etc. Benefits Office Administration Expenses Transfer from Endowment Expenses Less Offsets

4 Retiree Health Active Participant Contribution - 3% Expenses Less Offsets

0

0

0

5 Board Expenses

5,404

508

10,000

10,000

Pre-82 Transfer

-5,404

-508

-10,000

-10,000

0

0

0

0

3,374,067

3,448,840

3,765,362

3,933,938

-3,701,129

-3,020,942

-3,765,362

-3,933,938

-327,062

427,898

0

0

2,717,549

2,191,312

2,759,534

2,872,716

Expenses Less Offsets

0

Total Pension & Insurance Expenses Total Offsets Balance Direct Bill to Churches

*Due to rounding, small discrepancies can by found in the totals.

13

Section 2: Consent Calendar 2.1 Cabinet Resolutions 1.

WHEREAS the following congregations have voted to recommend dissolution as a United Methodist congregation; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that these congregations be recognized with thanks to God for their faithful service, and that they be officially discontinued under the provisions of The Book of Discipline, paragraph 2549 by the Dakotas Annual Conference: Northeast: Sheldon, ND, and Cogswell ND Northwest: Southeast: Southwest:

2.

THAT July 1, 2021, be designated as the beginning of all new appointments for 2020-2021, unless prior arrangements have been made. The moving pastor’s current charge shall pay the compensation, health, pension and other benefits through June 30, 2021.

3. THAT the moving schedule be flexible enough to consider the need of the pastors and the families, and that the parish would have sufficient time to prepare the parsonage for the arrival of the incoming pastor. Moves shall be scheduled to occur between June 15 and July 15. If a move is scheduled to happen prior to the last Sunday in June, compensation shall still be paid by the current charge through the end of the month.

4. THAT both congregations and pastors be sensitive and respectful as to the transition of pastoral leadership in a charge. Negotiations between the Staff-Parish Relations chair, and the incoming and outgoing pastor as to first Sunday and care for priestly functions shall be done on a case-by-case basis. July 1 shall be the start date for all incoming pastors unless other arrangements have been made.

5. THAT consideration be given by the congregation to the incoming pastor to have his/her first Sunday serve as a welcoming Sunday, and that formal preaching and worship leadership responsibilities begin the following Sunday.

2.2 Equitable Compensation The purpose of Equitable Compensation is to work with the District Superintendents in the effort to support congregations as they strive to become viable (Rule 1.4). This is done by A) providing salary support grants to churches/charges served by a full-time United Methodist pastor and B) making an annual recommendation of the minimum compensation needed by pastors to allow them to focus their efforts on the ministry instead of seeking secondary employment.

Annual Recommendations of Minimum Compensation 1. The Base Cash Salary for each year: 65% of the Conference Average Compensation for Full Connection Clergy; 62% of the Conference Average Compensation for Less than Full Connection Clergy.

2. The Base Cash Salary for both clergy groups listed in paragraph #1 shall include any personal tax deferred annuities, personal IRA’s paid by the local church, or personal pension plan in addition to the recommended contribution to the pension program (UMPIP) in No. 3.

3. The pastor shall receive the following in addition to minimum compensation. A) Pension Program Contribution (UMPIP) equal to 3% of the Denominational Average Compensation; B) Continuing Education Allowance (minimum of $150); C) Travel Allowance by voucher at the current IRS rate; D) Utilities paid in full (minimum of heat, electricity, local phone service, water, garbage service, and internet); E) Accountable Reimbursement Plan (minimum of $500).

SALARY SUPPORT GRANTS 1) The follow The following requests will be considered by the Commission: a. Strategic Appointment Grant – Available when a new appointment results in significantly increased costs to the Church/Charge. These increased costs will be so burdensome that it is unlikely that the Church/Charge will have adequate resources available to take the necessary steps to becoming viable without outside assistance. The purpose of this grant is to assist the Church/Charge in its transition to being able to fully support the newly appointed pastor. The Church/Charge shall provide monthly written status reports to the District Superintendent and Conference Treasurer. Status reports shall at a minimum report progress towards benchmarks. b. Discernment Grant – Available when a Church/Charge has declined in its ability to support a full-time United Methodist pastor to the point where it is unlikely to be able to provide the recommended minimum compensation. The purpose of this grant is to provide time for the Church/Charge and District Superintendent to evaluate the viability of the congregation and decide upon a ministry plan that is appropriate for the Church/Charge. The District Superintendent shall provide a report on the viability and the ministry plan at the next Equitable Compensation meeting. Depending on the ministry plan adopted by the District Superintendent and the Church/ Charge, it may be appropriate for the Church/Charge to provide monthly written status reports to the District Superintendent and Conference Treasurer. c. Emergency Grant – Available when a Church/Charge provides evidence that they will not be able to provide their full-time United Methodist pastor with the recommended minimum compensation. The purpose of this grant is to ensure that the pastor is properly cared for.

2) Churches/Charges shall pay their apportion­ments in full during the years they receive salary support grant payments. Churches/Charges that do not comply with this shall not be considered for a Salary Support Grant the following year with the exception of Emergency Grants.

14

3) The maximum amount to be paid for Strategic Appointment Grants and Discernment Grants shall be $5,400 annually. Grant payments to Churches/Charges shall be made monthly. A Church/Charge shall not receive Salary Support Grant payments for more than 36 consecutive months.

4) Salary Support Grant requests shall be submitted in writing to the District Superintendent and the Conference Treasurer. In order for Salary Support Grant payments to continue into a new calendar year, the written request must be updated and resubmitted.

5) The Churches/Charges receiving support will be listed in the Conference Journal.

Equitable Compensation Calculation: The Commission calculates the Equitable Compensation amount based on the Conference Average Compensation. See calculations below:

Year 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018

Full Connection Clergy 68,424 x 65% = 45,809 68,424 x 65% = 44,476 67,573 x 65% = 43,922 66,035 x 65% = 42,923 63,616 x 65% = 41,350

Less than Full Connection Clergy 68,424 x 62% = 43,695 68,424 x 62% = 42,423 67,573 x 62% = 41,895 66,035 x 62% = 40,942 63,616 x 62% = 39,442

The charges which received Equitable Compensation support in 2019 were:

Cresbard/Tolstoy, Dell Rapids, Drayton/Pembina/Humboldt/St Thomas, Hurley, Milbank Parkview/Tabor/Ortonville, Murdo/Draper, Parker, and Rapid Valley 2.3 Housing/Parsonage Allowance for Ordained or Licensed Conference Staff and District Superintendents WHEREAS, section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code permits a minister of the gospel to exclude from gross income the rental value of a parsonage furnished to the minister; WHEREAS, a minister is also allowed to exclude from gross income the amount paid to him/her as a properly designated parsonage allowance to the extent used for actual expenses incurred in maintaining a parsonage; WHEREAS, a minister is also allowed to exclude from gross income the amount paid to him/her in lieu of a parsonage when properly designated as a housing allowance to the extent used for actual housing expenses not to exceed the fair rental value of the home (including furnishing and appurtenances such as a garage, plus the cost of utilities); WHEREAS the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is the qualified organization for the designation of housing and parsonage allowances for all ordained or licensed persons who serve as District Superintendents, as paid officers of the conference or as members of the conference staff; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that of the cash salary paid to the following persons the following housing exclusions are hereby designated for the calendar year 2022 and for all future years unless otherwise provided:

• Michael Flowers - $7,000 • Ben Ingebretson - $33,500 • Paul Lint - $7,000 • Kris Mutzenberger - $1,500

• Bob Ruedebusch - $30,000 • Rebecca Trefz - $32,665 • Joel Winckler - $30,000

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in addition to cash salary, the following person(s) will be paid the following amount instead of being furnished a parsonage in which to live, and this additional amount is hereby designated as a housing allowance for the calendar year 2021 and all future years unless otherwise provided:

• Bob Ruedebusch - $24,402 • Rebecca Trefz - $24,402

• Joel Winckler - $24,402

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, during the interim between meetings, the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church authorizes the Conference Human Resources Committee to designate housing and parsonage allowances in accordance with section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code. Such designations are to be recorded in the official minutes of that Committee.

2.4 Resolution Relating to Rental/Housing Allowances for Active, Retired, Disabled, or Former Clergypersons of the Dakotas Conference The Dakotas Conference (the “Conference”) adopts the following resolution relating to rental/housing allowances for active, retired, termi-

15

nated, or disabled clergypersons of the Conference: WHEREAS, the religious denomination known as The United Methodist Church (the “Church”), of which this Conference is a part, has in the past functioned and continues to function through ministers of the gospel (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code section 107) who were or are duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of the Church (“Clergypersons”); WHEREAS, the practice of the Church and of this Conference was and is to provide active Clergypersons with a parsonage or a rental/ housing allowance as part of their gross compensation; WHEREAS, pensions or other amounts paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled Clergypersons are considered to be deferred compensation and are paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled Clergypersons in consideration of previous active service; and WHEREAS, the Internal Revenue Service has recognized the Conference (or its predecessors) as an appropriate organization to designate a rental/housing allowance for Clergypersons who are or were members of this Conference and are eligible to receive such deferred compensation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: THAT an amount equal to 100% of the pension, severance, or disability payments received from plans authorized under The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (the “Discipline”), which includes all such payments from Wespath Benefits & Investments (“WBI”), during the calendar year 2022 by each active, retired, terminated, or disabled Clergyperson who is or was a member of the Conference, or its predecessors, be and hereby is designated as a rental/housing allowance for each such Clergyperson; and THAT the pension, severance, or disability payments to which this rental/housing allowance designation applies will be any pension, severance, or disability payments from plans, annuities, or funds authorized under the Discipline, including such payments from Wespath (WBI) and from a commercial annuity company that provides an annuity arising from benefits accrued under a Wespath (WBI) plan, annuity, or fund authorized under the Discipline, that result from any service a Clergyperson rendered to this Conference or that an active, a retired, a terminated, or a disabled Clergyperson of this Conference rendered to any local church, annual conference of the Church, general agency of the Church, other institution of the Church, former denomination that is now a part of the Church, or any other employer that employed the Clergyperson to perform services related to the ministry of the Church, or its predecessors, and that elected to make contributions to, or accrue a benefit under, such a plan, annuity, or fund for such an active, a retired, a terminated, or a disabled Clergyperson’s pension, severance, or disability plan benefit as part of his or her gross compensation.

NOTE: The rental/housing allowance that may be excluded from a Clergyperson’s gross income in any year for federal (and, in most cases, state) income tax purposes is limited under Internal Revenue Code section 107(2), and regulations thereunder, to the least of: (a) the amount of the rental/housing allowance designated by the Clergyperson’s employer or other appropriate body of the Church (such as this Conference in the foregoing resolutions) for such year; (b) the amount actually expended by the Clergyperson to rent or provide a home in such year; or (c) the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances (such as a garage), plus the cost of utilities in such year. Each clergyperson or former clergyperson is urged to consult with his or her own tax advisor to determine what deferred compensation is eligible to be claimed as a housing allowance exclusion.

Submitted by Leana Stunes, Conference Benefits Officer 2.5 Affirmation of reports of the agencies, boards and committees for 2021 WHEREAS the Conference Secretary has called for each agency, board and committee of the Dakotas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church that performed duties throughout 2020-2021 as requested by the membership of the conference and 28th session of the Dakotas Annual Conference: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the reports submitted by such agencies, boards and committees are affirmed as listed in Section 4.

16

Section 3: Elected Leaders 2021 Nominations Report Committee/ Agency

First Name

Last Name

Role

THE COMMON TABLE (CT)

Jeanne

Sortland

Chair, Clergy

701-320-1477

pastorjeannes@gmail.com

Cody

Warns

Lay at large

605-480-0369

cwarns@hotmail.com

(3 Lay, 3 Clergy)

Steve

Behrens

Clergy at large

605-266-2135

steve.behrens50@gmail.com

Ross

Reinhiller

Clergy at large

701-426-5456

pastorspLay@hotmail.com

Terry

Nebelsick

Lay at large

605-354-0050

terrynebelsick@gmail.com

605-350-5159

pastorjeffa@gmail.com

Phone

Email

To be filled - Laity at large Ex officio (with vote)

Jeff

Adel

CCFA chair To be filled - Conference Co-Lay Leader

Joel

Winckler

District Superintendent

701-269-9960

joel.winckler@dakotasumc.org

Laurie

Haller

Bishop

612-230-3334

bishop@dkmnareaumc.org

Rebecca

Trefz

Executive Director of Ministries/ Cabinet Representative

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

CONFERENCE CHANCELLORS

Tim

Ottmar

North Dakota

701-252-7229

tottmar@ottmarlaw.com

Nancy

Oviatt

South Dakota

605-886-5812

nancy@grolawfirm.com

THE EXTENDED CABINET

Laurie

Haller

Bishop

612-230-3334

bishop@dkmnareaumc.org

Rebecca

Trefz

Exec. Director Ministries & DS Southeast

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

Kris

Mutzenberger

DS Northeast

701-532-0455

kris.mutzenberger@dakotasumc.org

Bob

Ruedebusch

DS Southwest

605-484-1502

bob.ruedebusch@dakotasumc.org

Joel

Winckler

DS Northwest

701-269-9960

joel.winckler@dakotasumc.org

Ben

Ingebretson

Area Director New Church

612-230-6124

ben.ingebretson@dkmnareaumc.org

Diane

Owen

Lilly Grant Program Director

612-230-6129

diane.owen@dkmnareaumc.org

Deb

Kjerstad

Director of Leadership

605-990-7796

deb.kjerstad@dakotasumc.org

Keith

Shew

Area Director Camp & Retreat Ministries

612-230-6130

keith.shew@dkmnareaumc.org

Sheri

Meister

Dakotas UM Foundation President / CEO

605-990-7790

sheri.meister@dkmnmf.org

Jeff

Pospisil

Exec. Director Finance & Admin.

605-990-7786

jeff.pospisil@dakotasumc.org

Doreen

Gosmire

Director of Communications

605-990-7794

doreen.gosmire@dakotasumc.org

Ex officio (without vote)

To be filled - Conference Co-Lay Jane

Hincks

Conference Co-Lay Leader

701-202-5456

janehincks@hotmail.com

Jeanne

Sortland

Chair Common Table

701-320-1477

pastorjeannes@gmail.com

MISSIONAL LEADERS CLay LINK Eric

Lundberg

Chair, Clergy

605-775-2752

pastorcLayumc@hotmail.com ervanmet@dwu.edu

(12 including standing committees)

Melissa

Gall

Clergy Young Adult and Campus

870-219-6255 605-880-4500

melissa.gall@hotmail.com

Randy

Hedge

920-420-9901

madison.umc@midconetwork.com

Anita

Tulp

701-320-9058

crazy4bookslms@gmail. com

JoAnn

Hipple

605-222-0357

joanne.hipple@outlook.com

Ex officio (without vote)

Van Meter

SW Co-Lay Leader To be filled To be filled To be filled

Standing Committees (Membership with vote)

Sharla

McCaskell

Board of Ordained Ministry

605-484-4588

knollwoodpastor@gmail.com

Jeff

Lathrop

Coordinator for CCYM

701-772-1869

pastorjefflathrop@gmail.com

Nicole

Clade

Camping Representative

605-237-6786

pastrixnicole@gmail.com janehincks@hotmail.com

Ex officio (with vote)

Jane

Hincks

Conference Co-Lay Leader

701-202-5456

Ex officio (without vote)

Rebecca

Trefz

Executive Director of Ministries

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

Kjerstad

Director of Leadership

605-990-7796

deb.kjerstad@dakotasumc.org

Deb

17

Committee/ Agency

First Name

Last Name

Role

Kris

Mutzenberger

District Superintendent

701-532-0455

kris.mutzenberger@dakotasumc.org

Keith

Shew

Area Director Camp & Retreat Ministries

612-230-6130

keith.shew@dkmnareaumc.org

Betty

Janke

Co-Director of Lay Servant

703-629-6709

BettyJ131@hotmail.com

Reinhiller

Chair & Dean of Licensing School

701-426-5456

vreinhiller@msn.com

Vetter

Vice Chair

701-223-4401

brandon@legacyumc.org

Ricke

Secretary

605-467-0918

pastorkricke@gmail.com

Sara

McManus

Registrar

701-282-5765

pastorsara@flameoffaithumc.org

Sharla

McCaskell

Clergy and BOM rep. to Missional Leaders

605-484-4588

knollwoodpastor@gmail.com

Gary

Ball-Kilbourne

Conference Relations Chair

701-500-0985

gbk@prairiescribbler.com

Howard

Grinager

Retired Liaison

605-297-1060

grinagerh@gmail.com

BOARD OF Val ORDAINED MINISTRY Brandon (BOM) Katie (Nominated by the Bishop)

Phone

Email

To be filled - Deacon Liaison Bruce

Forbes

Extension Ministries Liaison

612-708-3419

forbes@morningside.edu

Ray

Baker

Northeast Committee Chair

701-220-4803

ray@fargofaithumc.org

Nancy

Manning

Southeast Committee Chair

605-215-3429

nancyserving@gmail.com

DeAnn

Eidem

Southwest Committee Chair

605-484-6041

deann.eidem@clumc.com

Mike

Flowers

Northwest Committee Chair

701-799-1174

slministry@hotmail.com

Chang

Yi

Clergy

701-772-1893

pastorchangyi@gmail.com

Rick

Craig

Local Licensed Pastor Registrar

701-329-1810 imrickcraig@icloud.com

Marilyn

Spurrell

Clergy

605-270-3185

marilynspurrell@gmail.com

Kyle

Reinhiller

Clergy

605-214-7474

burgpastor@hotmail.com

Jen

Tyler

Clergy

605-868-8164

pastorjent@gmail.com

Keith

Nelson

Clergy

605-630-6586

keith@downtownfirstumc.com

To be filled - Clergy

Ex officio (with vote) Ex officio (without vote) COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Richard

Wahlstrom

Lay

605-484-7761

rkw68@live.com

Tom

Dravland

Lay

605-222-0579

dravland@pie.midco.net

Janet

Fagerland

Lay

701-220-7743

jjfog1@hotmail.com

Amy

Thue

Lay

Randy

Meissner

Lay

701-663-2305

randymeissguy@gmail.com

Kris

Mutzenberger

NE DS - Cabinet Representative

701-532-0455

kris.mutzenberger@dakotasumc.org

Kjerstad

Director of Leadership Development

605-990-7796

deb.kjerstad@dakotasumc.org

Deb

605-230-0477 amythue@gmail.com

To be filled - Chair Nancy

Hallenbeck

SE District

605-360-2352

nghallenbeck@gmail.com

Amber

Laffey

SE District & Conf. Secretary

605-990-7791

conference.secretary@dakotasumc.org

Pat

Siefken

NE District

605-395-6626

lpksiefken@nvc.net

Sandra

Marquardt

NE District

701-265-4308

smarquardt3@gmail.com

Debra

Ball-Kilbourne

NE District

701-630-3561

dbk.central@gmail.com

Connie

Eichinger

SW District

605-787-5799

godaboveall@hotmail.com

Jeff

Adel

SW District

605-350-5159

pastorjeffa@gmail.com

Sharman

Zachrison

NW District

701-320-0463

sharman.zachrison@gmail.com

Anita

Tulp

NW District

701-320-9058

crazy4bookslms@gmail. com

Rebecca

Trefz

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

To be filled - SE District

To be filled - SW District

To be filled - NW District Ex officio (without vote)

Exec. Director of Ministries

18

Committee/ Agency

First Name

Last Name

Role

Deb

Kjerstad

Director of Leadership Development

605-990-7796

deb.kjerstad@dakotasumc.org

Schlecht

Chair, Lay

701-320-7636

tyman_nd@hotmail.com

Clade

Clergy

605-237-6786

pastrixnicole@gmail.com

Lyall

Workman

Lay

701-250-9379

lyall.workman@outlook.com

Kris

Mutzenberger

Clergy, DS Northeast

701-532-0455

kris.mutzenberger@dakotasumc.org

612-230-6130

keith.shew@dkmnareaumc.org

605-983-5547

christy.heflin@dakcamps.org

605-343-4391

smc@dakcamps.org

CAMP AND RETREAT Tyrel MINISTRY COUNCIL Nicole

Phone

Email

To be filled - Lay To be filled Ex officio (without vote)

Keith

Shew

Auxiliary/ Invited (without vote)

Christy

Heflin

Area Director Camp & Retreat Ministries Site Director Lake Poinsett

Levi / Lara

Ziegler

Site Directors Storm Mountain

Paul / Brenda

Lint

Site Directors Wesley Acres

701-733-2413

wac@dakcamps.org

Lathrop

pastorjefflathrop@gmail.com

Lint

Conference Coordinator Youth Ministries NW District

701-772-1869 701-733-2413

paulnbrenda@hotmail.com

CONFERENCE Jeff COUNCIL ON YOUTH Brenda MINISTRIES (CCYM) John District Coordinators

Britt

SW District

605-787-2414

pastorjohnbritt@gmail.com

Steve Jerry

Hilton Simmons

SW District SW District

605-390-1301 325-665-9273

andone39@gmail.com youthpastorJDS@gmail.com

Quaya

Ackerman

NE District

701-261-6492

pastorquaya@arthurumc.org

Melissa

Gall

NE District

605-880-4500

melissa.gall@hotmail.com

Peggy

Hanson

At Large

605-584-1328

pastor@leadtumc.com

Anna

Mutzenberger

NE District

Camille

Zachrison

NW District

Tyler

Rasmussen

SE District

Alex

Jensen

SE District

Paige

Lehrkamp

SW District

Elisabeth

Ortiz

SW District

Haley

Ferguson

SW District

Chloe

Jacobs

SW District

Emma

Isaacson

SW District

Jordan

Kitzmiller

SW District

Paul

Massingill

SW District

Scott

McKirdy

Chair, Clergy

605-642-3457

scott.mckirdy@spearfishumc.org

Srstka

Lay

605-941-6048

J1srstka@aol.com

To be filled - SE District District Youth Representatives

MISSIONAL CONGREGATIONS LINK (12)

John

To be filled - Lay To be filled - Lay

Ex officio (without vote) Zach

Kingery

Clergy

605-838-6303

zach.kingery@gmail.com

Kori

Lehrkamp

Clergy

605-430-4389

koriannlehrkamp@hotmail.com

Jenene

Earl

Clergy

605-720-5578

ljearl@outlook.com

Matt

Morrison

Clergy

605-366-5009

matt@sfasbury.org

Michele

Slott

Clergy

605-390-8757

PastorMich.SD@gmail.com

Cory

Thrall

Clergy

701-462-3220

thrallcory@gmail.com

Laurie

Haller

Bishop, without vote

612-230-3334

bishop@dkmnareaumc.org

Ben

Ingebretson

Area Director New Church Development

612-230-6124

ben.ingebretson@dkmnareaumc.org

Rebecca

Trefz

Executive Director of Ministries

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

19

Committee/ Agency

First Name

Last Name

MISSIONAL IMPACT LINK

Marty

Toepke-Floyd

Karl

Kroger

Leisa Laura Gail

Arnold

Ron

Role

Phone

Email

Co-Chair, Clergy

701-325-0378

pastormarty@daktel.com

Co-Chair, Clergy

605-999-9898

Richards

Clergy

505-228-1667

karlkroger@gmail.com leisa@leisarichardslaw.com

Borman

Clergy

605-321-5218

lborman@att.net gail.arnold.ga@gmail.com

Olson

Clergy Clergy

605-892-5007 701-440-1102

ronolson58@gmail.com

Lindsey

Weich

Lay

605-770-3514

lweich@krohmeragency.com

Deb

Holland

Lay

605-431-1973

bosswoman@icloud.com

605-695-9368

edmarshatimm19@gmail.com

605-690-4443

quilter48@icloud.com

701-845-1721

virlynhoff@yahoo.com

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

To be filled - Lay United Methodist Women

Standing Committees (Membership with vote)

Marsha

Ex officio (with vote)

Diane

Culver

VirLyn

Hoff

Rebecca

Trefz

UMW Mission Coord. Social Action UMW Mission Coord for Education Executive Director of Ministries

Al

Roll

Staff Representative

701-391-2015

al.roll@dakotasumc.org

Timm

President

605-695-9368

edmarshatimm19@gmail.com

Kluckman

Vice President

605-941-1071

kluckmang@gmail.com

Nadvornik

Secretary

701-690-8958

robynandrich@ndsupernet.com

Lynda

Rustand

Treasurer

701-260-8382

5rustands@gmail.com

Diane

Culver

Social Action

605-690-4443

quilter48@icloud.com

Bev

Enger

Membership, Nurture, Outreach

701-840-2255

bevenger@bektel.com

VirLyn

Hoff

Education and Interpretation

701-845-1721

virlynhoff@yahoo.com

Brenda

Rekow

Spiritual Growth

701-535-0109

bpets@drtel.net

Penny

Galinat

Secretary of Program Resources

605-224-9586

Plgalinat@yahoo.com

Dorothy

Collett

Communications Coordinator

605-224-4279

dotlib@pie.midco.net

Joyce

Carter

Committee on Nominations Chair

701-662-3248

joyce.carter47@outlook. com

Cheryl

McKnight

Committee on Nominations

605-786-7424

johnsyellowrose@hotmail.com

Charlene

Koll

Committee on Nominations

701-232-5457

Jan

Petersen

Committee on Nominations

605-638-0922

jkpetersen@gmail.com

Schultz

Treasurer

605-987-2569

bomar67@q.com

Jeff

Adel

Chair, Executive Team

605-350-5159

pastorjeffa@gmail.com

Ruth

Barrett

Secretary, Executive Team

605-348-5045

rvbarrett@rap.midco.net

Jennifer

Erickson

605-254-5780

jennifer@jefinancial.net

Arlyn

Coalter

605-929-5727

revac54@hotmail.com

Geoff

Hilton

701-721-7313

velvaumcpastor@yahoo.com

Josh

Willprecht

605-254-2545

jjwillprecht@hotmail.com

Mark

Johnsen

605-440-3201

pastormarkjohnsen@gmail.com

Ex officio (without vote)

Timm

To be filled – Secretary of Global Ministries

UNITED METHODIST Marsha WOMEN (UMW) Glenda Robyn

UNITED METHODIST MEN Robert

To be filled - President

MISSIONAL RESOURCES LINK CONFERENCE COUNCIL ON FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (CCFA)

to be filled - Lay Ex officio (without vote)

Laurie

Haller

Bishop

612-230-3334

bishop@dkmnareaumc.org

Rebecca

Trefz

Executive Director of Ministries

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

Pospisil

Treasurer

605-990-7786

jeff.pospisil@dakotasumc.org

Jeff

20

Committee/ Agency

First Name

Last Name

Role

Sheri

Meister

605-990-7790

sheri.meister@dkmnmf.org

Eric

Walth

Dakotas UM Foundation President / CEO Board of Pensions Representative

701-220-6331

ericwalth@gmail.com

Bob

Ruedebusch

Cabinet Representative, Executive Team

605-484-1502

bob.ruedebusch@dakotasumc.org

Roberts

Chair

605-331-5788

ejroberts@sio.midco.net

Osborne

Vice Chair

701-368-9815

osborne@daktel.com

Walth

Recording Secretary

701-220-6331

ericwalth@gmail.com

Erickson

605-448-2900

jack@venturecomm.net

Al

Roll

701-391-2015

al.roll@dakotasumc.org

Roy

Caudill

605-362-1812

roybcaud@aol.com

Shawn

Culey

605-360-8352

Shawn.Culey@dakotasumc.org

Debra

Coalter

605-929-5446

dcoalter@hotmail.com

Valerie

605-660-5419

ladypastorvalerie@gmail.com

Steve

Hummel LaBounty Ottmar

701-320-9470

sottmar@ottmarlaw.com

Cynthia

Nelson

605-351-2818

cynthianelson1@sio.midco.net

Michele

Slott

605-390-8757

pastormich.sd@gmail.com

Diana

Fuhrman

701-820-0473

glendianafuhrman@gmail.com

Dayne

Zachrison

701-840-7294

pastordayne@gmail.com

Kevin

Klare

BOARD OF PENSIONS Elaine AND HEALTH Anne BENEFITS (BOPHB) Eric Jack

Ex officio (without vote)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT)

Ex officio (without vote)

Phone

ND Registered Agent

Email

605-351-7851

kklare01@gmail.com leana.stunes@dakotasumc.org

Leana

Stunes

Conference Benefits Officer

605-990-7785

Jeff

Pospisil

Treasurer and SD Registered Agent

605-990-7786

jeff.pospisil@dakotasumc.org

JoAnn

Schlimgen

Assistant Treasurer

605-990-7787

joann.schlimgen@dakotasumc.org

Howard

Grinager

BOM Representative

605-297-1060

grinagerh@gmail.com

Jeff

Adel

CCFA Representative

605-350-5159

pastorjeffa@gmail.com

Bob

Ruedebusch

Cabinet Representative

605-484-1502

bob.ruedebusch@dakotasumc.org

Dennis

Holm

Chair, Lay man

605-324-3674

djh@venturecomm.net

Bill

Bates

Clergy

605-610-6209

igtwlb@vastbb.net

Kathy

Chesney

Clergy

605-859-2310

chez@gwtc.net

Boyd

Blumer

Clergy

605-995-1961

besquare@mit.midco.net

Marvin

Winstryg

Clergy

701-516-7407

mwinstryg@yahoo.com

Larry

Madsen

Lay man

605-765-2746

larry_madsen@hotmail.com

Tami Mark

Postrollo Stearns

Lay woman

605-336-3652

prostrollot@sfumc.org

Kristi

Barber

Lay woman

605-343-2015

kristibarber37@gmail.com

Al

Goehring

Lay man

701-269-2968

agoehri@daktel.com

Joyce

Carter

Lay woman

701-740-5795

joyce.carter47@outlook.com

Jeff

Pospisil

Treasurer

605-990-7786

jeff.pospisil@dakotasumc.org

Tim

Ottmar

Conference Chancellor ND

701-252-7229

tottmar@ottmarlaw.com

Nancy

Oviatt

Conference Chancellor SD

605-886-5812

nancy@grolawfirm.com

Bob

Ruedebusch

Cabinet Representative

605-484-1502

bob.ruedebusch@dakotasumc.org

Whipkey

Clergy, Chair

605-270-2332

pastorbarry55@gmail.com

Whetsel

Clergy

605-203-3011

pastorteresaw@gmail.com

Nancy

Bohlen

Lay

605-692-7744

nbohlen@swiftel.net

Sheila

Mennenga

Lay

605-881-2159

csmennenga@gmail.com

Rebecca

Trefz

Executive Director of Ministries

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

HUMAN RESOURCES Barry (HRC) Teresa

Lay man

21

Committee/ Agency

Ex officio (without vote)

COMMISSION ON ARCHIVES AND HISTORY (CAH)

First Name

Last Name

Role

CLay

Lundberg

Missional Leaders Representative

605-775-2752

Scott

McKirdy

Missional Congregations

605-642-3457

scott.mckirdy@spearfishumc.org

Marty

Toepke-Floyd

Missional Impact Representative

701-325-0378

pastormarty@daktel.com

Jeff

Adel

Missional Resources Representative

605-350-5159

pastorjeffa@gmail.com

Steve

Behrens

Common Table Representative

605-266-2135

steve.behrens50@gmail.com

Laurie

Haller

Bishop

612-230-3334

bishop@dkmnareaumc..org

Jeff

Pospisil

Treasurer

605-990-7786

jeff.pospisil@dakotasumc.org

Bob

Ruedebusch

Cabinet Representative

605-484-1502

bob.ruedebusch@dakotasumc.org

Duane

Coates

Chair

605-695-5561

dcoates70@yahoo.com

Tom

Thaden

Lay

605-624-3286

tommy123@vyn.midco.net

Sheri

Fadley

Clergy

701-213-9344

sherifadley@gmail.com

Phone

Email pastorcLayumc@hotmail.com

To be filled - Clergy Devern

Schwenn

Clergy

605-949-1742

djacres@q.com

Tanner

Carlson

Lay

701-595-6258

tannerc9@gmail.com

Cheryl

Finney

Conference Historian

605-332-9959

fcheryl6@aol.com

Laurie

Langland

Archivist

605-995-2134

LaLangla@dwu.edu

Pat

Breidenbach

Archivist emeritus

605-996-9230

breidenbach@mit.midco. net

Stephen

Perry

Historical Society Chair

763-427-6080

historian@centurylink.net

ANNUAL CONFERENCE SESSIONS COMMITTEE

Kay

Braun

Chair

701-232-1915

kkbndak@gmail.com

Laurie

Haller

Bishop

612-230-3334

bishop@dkmnareaumc.org

Rebecca

Trefz

Exec. Director of Ministries

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

Jane

Hincks

Conference Co-Lay Leader

701-202-5456

janehincks@hotmail.com

(appointed by the Bishop)

Joel

Winckler

Host Team DS

701-269-9960

joel.winckler@dakotasumc.org

To be filled - Lay

Ex officio (without vote)

To be filled - Host Team Clergy To be filled - Host Team Lay Bea

Stucke

Site Coordinator

605-390-1434

bea.stucke@dakotasumc.org

Lou

Whitmer

Worship Coordinator

605-226-1279

pastorlou@nvc.net

Doreen

Gosmire

Communications Coordinator

605-990-7794

doreen.gosmire@dakotasumc.org

Duane

Coates

Agenda Coordinator

605-695-5561

dcoates70@yahoo.com

Deb

Kjerstad

BOM Representative

605-990-7796

deb.kjerstad@dakotasumc.org

Dayne

Zachrison

At Large

701-845-0340

pastordayne@gmail.com

ADMINISTRATIVE Stephen REVIEW COMMITTEE Gary (nominated by the Bishop) Jeff

Perry

Chair

763-427-6080

historian@centurylink.net

605-940-7865

gary.w.rae@gmail.com

Adel

Alternate

605-350-5159

pastorjeffa@gmail.com

COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATION

Doug

Diehl

Clergy

605-431-1123

dugdeal@gmail.com

Jenene

Earl

Clergy

605-720-6389

ljearl@outlook.com

Penny

Eberhart

Clergy

605-310-8504

ebhartp@gmail.com

Kim

Callies

Lay

605-270-2327

birdiecallies@yahoo.com

Joanne

Ottmar

Lay

701-252-7229

jottmar@ottmarlaw.com

Terry

Pendergast

Lay

605-351-6934

tpendergast@gra.midco.net

Jerry

Bass

Clergy alternate

701-775-5696

jerry.bass@gra.midco.net

Jennifer

Larsen

605-359-6682

jlarsen@hwalaw.com

Rae

Lay alternate COMMITTEE ON

Chair, Lay

22

Committee/ Agency EPISCOPACY (COE)

Last Name

Role

Jennifer

Tyler

To be filled - Conference Co-Lay Leader Member appointed by Bishop

605-868-8164

pastorjent@gmail.com

Al

Roll

Member appointed by Bishop

701-391-2015

al.roll@dakotasumc.org

Keith

Nelson

Member appointed by Conference

605-630-6586

keith@downtownfirstumc.com

Ryan

Mutzenberger

Member appointed by Conference

701-232-4416

ryanmutzenberger@gmail.com

Rebecca

Trefz

Member NCJ COE

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

Jodi

Cataldo

Member NCJ COE

701-378-2327

jodicataldo@yahoo.com

Rebecca

Trefz

Exec. Director of Ministries, Chair

605-990-7791

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

Duane

Coates

Member

605-695-5561

dcoates70@yahoo.com

Amber

Laffey

Conference Secretary

605-990-7799

conference.secretary@dakotasumc.org

CONFERENCE Lisa DISASTER RESPONSE Mark

Johnsen

Conf. Disaster Response

605-440-3200

lisaraejohnsen@gmail.com

Ellingson

Planning

218-779-5707

mellingson56@gmail.com

Linda

Baldock

Planning

605-786-2262

lindambaldock@gmail.com

Jim

Unkenholz

Operations

701-667-2050

junkenholz@aol.com

Mike

Flowers

Operations

701-799-1174

slministry@hotmail.com

Libby

Flowers

Operations

701-799-1174

slministry@hotmail.com

Linda

Kropenske

Training

605-371-1205

lkropenske@yahoo.com

Nancy

Trefz

At Large

605-765-4335

trefzponyexpress@hotmail.com

Connie

Eichinger

At Large

605-787-5799

godaboveall@hotmail.com

Jim

Eichinger

At Large

605-787-5799

godaboveall@hotmail.com

Jeff

Pospisil

jeff.pospisil@dakotasumc.org

Al

Roll

Administration and Communication Staff Representative

605-990-7786 701-391-2015

al.roll@dakotasumc.org

Doreen

Gosmire

Administration and Communication

605-990-7794

doreen.gosmire@dakotasumc.org

Jeff

Nelson

Chair

605-376-5388

jeff@605advantage.com

Sharla

McCaskell

Vice Chair

605-343-7145

knollwoodpastor@gmail.com

Sheri

Meister

605-990-7790

sheri.meister@dkmnmf.org

Jeff

Pospisil

President / CEO, Dakotas and Minnesota Treasurer

605-990-7786

jeff.pospisil@dakotasumc.org

Richard

Platt

605-996-4488

richard.platt@bankwestsd.com

Dave

Page

605-432-7874

D.DPage@outlook.com

Scott

Jones

605-224-9346

scottddp@yahoo.com

Bob

Ruedebusch

605-484-1502

bob.ruedebusch@dakotasumc.org

Steve

Pietila

605-760-4916

spietila@firstdakota.com

Richard

Wahlstrom

605-484-7761

rkw68@live.com

Eric

Walth

701-220-6331

ericwalth@gmail.com

Laurie

Haller

Bishop, without vote

612-230-3334

bishop@dkmnareaumc.org

NORTHEAST DISTRICT (NE)

Elizabeth

Ewing-Lee

Co-Lay Leader

701-361-3231 ewinglee@yahoo.com

NE District Committee on Ordained Ministry

Ray

Baker

Chair, Clergy

701-220-4803

ray@fargofaithumc.org

Steve Jerry

Olson Bass

Clergy Clergy

701-742-2925

norskie@drtel.net

701-775-5696

jerry.bass@gra.midco.net

Mark

Gronseth

Clergy

605-359-9480

markgronseth@gmail.com

Rob

Salmonson

Clergy

605-933-0077

robsalmonson@hotmail.com

Lou

Whitmer

Clergy

701-240-5346

pastorlou@nvc.net

Becky

Holten

Clergy

605-770-6184

beckyrholten@gmail.com

RECORDS, RULES AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE

DAKOTAS UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION BOARD

First Name

Phone

Email

To be filled - Co-Lay Leader

23

Committee/ Agency

First Name

Last Name

Role

Phone

Don

Miller

Lay

701-885-9082

Mike

Beeson

Lay

mbeeson@rrt.net

Ernie

Wright

Lay

erniewright@gmail.com

Kris

Mutzenberger

District Superintendent

605-996-6552

kris.mutzenberger@dakotasumc.org

Ellingson

Clergy

218-779-5707

mellingson56@gmail.com

NE Building and Location Mark Committee Thom

Email donald.miller@und.edu

Bowsher

Clergy

605-432-4766

pastorthom@milbankcentral.org

Kris

Mutzenberger

District Superintendent

605-996-6552

kris.mutzenberger@dakotasumc.org

Jessica

Zerr

Chair, Lay

Darin

Otto

Lay

Robbie

Daughterty

Lay

Alice

LaFontaine

Lay

Dave

Motta

Clergy

701-232-5650

dave@calvaryfargo.com

Mark

Britton

Clergy

701-240-4939

mark_softball34@hotmail.com

Rick

Pittenger

Clergy

701-680-9879

mwsumc@gmail.com

Melanie

Reiners

Clergy

605-432-4796

mmreiners@itcmilbank.com

Kris

Mutzenberger

District Superintendent

701-532-0455

kris.mutzenberger@dakotasumc.org

NE Committee on Nominations

Pat

Siefken

605-395-6656

lpksiefken@nvc.net

Sandra

Marquardt

Lay Clergy

701-265-4308

smarquardt3@gmail.com

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT (SE)

Nancy

Hallenbeck

Co-Lay Leader

605-360-2352

nghallenbeck@gmail.com

Melmer

Co-Lay Leader

605-280-4035

valmelmer@hotmail.com

Manning

Chair, Clergy

605-215-3429

nancyserving@gmail.com

Johnson

Clergy

605-665-2991

revron24@gmail.com

Laurie

Kidd

Clergy - LLP

605-376-0752

wagtynumc@hcinet.net

Kip

Roozen

Clergy

605-645-9630

kip@sfasbury.org

Dustin

Strande

Lay

605-359-0007

dstrande@americanchurchgroup.com

Troy

Hansen

Lay

605-263-3104

ethansen@iw.net

Val

Melmer

Lay

605-280-4035

valmelmer@hotmail.com

Connie

Smith

Lay

605-363-5097

cmsmith@siouxvalley.net

Valerie

Hummel LaBounty Trefz

Clergy

605-660-5419

ladypastorvalerie@gmail.com

District Superintendent

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

Rae

Clergy

605-940-7865

gary.w.rae@gmail.com

Nelson

Clergy

605-630-6586

keith@downtownfirstumc.com

John

Claggett

Lay

605-770-7248

johnclaggett@mit-tel.net

Cortland

Carnes

Lay

605-763-5427

Rebecca

Trefz

District Superintendent

605-990-7781

rebecca.trefz@dakotasumc.org

Nancy

Hallenbeck

Co-Lay Leader

605-360-2352

nghallenbeck@gmail.com

Diane

Kisch

Lay

605-665-1500

dkischfumc@gmail.com

Charles

Schnabel

Lay

605-692-5655

cvschnabel@brookings.net

Kyle

Reinhiller

Clergy

605-214-7474

kwrein@hotmail.com

Teresa

Person

Clergy

605-691-2070

pianoperson@live.com

Arlyn

Coalter

Clergy

605-929-5727

revac54@hotmail.com

Nancy

Hallenbeck

Lay

605-360-2352

nghallenbeck@gmail.com

NE Superintendency Committee

Val

SE District Committee on Nancy Ordained Ministry Ron

Rebecca SE Building and Location Gary Keith

SE Superintendency Committee

jessmzerr@gmail.com

to be filled - Lay

SE Nominations

Amber

Laffey

Clergy

605-990-7791

conference.secretary@dakotasumc.org

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT (SW)

JoAnn

Hipple

Co-Lay Leader

605-222-0357

joanne.hipple@outlook.com

Richard

Wahlstrom

Co-Lay Leader

605-484-7761

rkw68@live.com

SW District Committee

Deann

Eidem

Chair, Clergy

605-484-6041

deann.eidem@clumc.com

24

Committee/ Agency on Ordained Ministry

First Name

Last Name

Role

Julia

Jones

Secretary, Lay

605-280-2670

juliajonesaud@gmail.com

Peggy

Hanson

Clergy

605-584-1328

pastor@leadtumc.com

Greg

Kroger

Clergy

605-321-3342

pierre1umc@mncomm.com

Jenene

Earl

Clergy

605-720-5578

ljearl@outlook.com

Sharla

McCaskell

Clergy, LLP

605-343-7145

knollwoodpastor@gmail.com

Barry

Whipkey

Clergy

605-270-2332

pastorbarry55@gmail.com

Ashley

Alsup

Lay

605-390-4296

ashleyalsup@hotmail.com

Joanne

Hipple

Lay

605-222-0357

joanne.hipple@outlook.com

Bob

Ruedebusch

District Superintendent

605-484-1502

bob.ruedebusch@dakotasumc.org

McCaskell

Clergy

605-343-7145

knollwoodpastor@gmail.com

Higgins

Clergy

605-499-8757

higgins557@msn.com

Jeff

Adel

Clergy

605-350-5159

pastorjeffa@gmail.com

Darwin

Kopfman

Clergy

605-673-3473

drkopf@goldenwest.net

Robert

Puffer

Lay

605-745-4819

puffer@gwtc.net

David

Bonde

Lay

605-280-9680

Eileen

Wilson

Lay

605-673-3401

pew@gwtc.net

Bob

Ruedebusch

District Superintendent

605-484-1502

bob.ruedebusch@dakotasumc.org

Richard

Wahlstrom

Interim chair, Co-Lay Leader

605-484-7761

rkw68@live.com

JoAnn

Hipple

Co-Lay Leader

605-222-0357

joanne.hipple@outlook.com

Ashley

Alsup

Lay

605-390-4296

ashleyalsup@hotmail.com

Greg

Kroger

Clergy

605-321-3342

pierre1umc@mncomm.com

Sharla

MCaskell

Clergy

605-343-7145

knollwoodpastor@gmail.com

Janelle

Jones

Lay

605-722-5911

Clint

Vanneman

Lay

Connie

Eichinger

Clergy

605-787-5799

godaboveall@hotmail.com

Jeff

Adel

Clergy

605-350-5159

pastorjeffa@gmail.com

SW Building and Location Sharla Committee Gordon

SW Superintendency Committee

SW Committee on Nominations NORTHWEST DISTRICT (NW) NW District Committee on Ordained Ministry

Phone

Email

jljones@midco.net cvannman@gwtc.net

To be filled - Co-Lay Leader To be filled - Co-Lay Leader Mike

Flowers

Chair, Clergy

701-269-9960

Perry

Schnabel

Secretary, Clergy

701-255-4281

slministry@hotmail.com pastorperrys@msn.com

Jane

Hincks

Lay

701-202-5456

janehincks@hotmail.com

To be filled - Lay

NW Buildings and Location Committee

NW Superintendency Committee

Karl

Kroger

Clergy

605-999-9898

karlkroger@gmail.com

Bruce

Adams

Clergy

701-663-8909

bruceadams2261@yahoo.com

Marty

Toepke-Floyd

Clergy

701-325-0378

pastormarty@daktel.com

Joel

Winckler

District Superintendent

701-269-9960

joel.winckler@dakotasumc.org

Rick

Craig

Clergy

701-329-1810

imrickcraig@icloud.com

Cory

Thrall

Clergy

701-319-1137

thrallcory@gmail.com

Dayne

Zachrison

Clergy

701-840-7294

pastordayne@gmail.com

Jim

Jeromcheck

Lay

701-220-7494

jim@biancorealty.com

Joel

Winckler

District Superintendent

701-269-9960

joel.winckler@dakotasumc.org

Jane

Hincks

Conference Co-Lay Leader

701-202-5456

janehincks@hotmail.com

Randy

Meissner

Lay

701-663-2305

randymeissguy@gmail.com

Marvin

Winstryg

Clergy

701-516-7407

mwinstryg@yahoo.com

Ross

Reinhiller

Clergy

701-426-5456

pastorspLay@hotmail.com

Claudia

Holm

Lay

701-659-3477

cholm@daktel.com

To be filled - District Co-Lay Leader

To be filled - Lay

25

Committee/ Agency NW Committee on Nominations TREE OF LIFE MINISTRY

Ex officio

First Name

Last Name

Role

Joel

Winckler

District Superintendent

701-269-9960

joel.winckler@dakotasumc.org

Sharman

Zachrison

Lay

701-320-0463

sharman.zachrison@gmail.com

Anita

Tulp

Lay

701-320-9058

crazy4bookslms@gmail. com

Dennis

Unkenholz

Member

605-280-4581

dgu47@aol.com

Jo

Watkins

Vice President

605-665-4681

pastorjowatkins@hotmail.com

Jason Tom

Christensen Gilmore

Member President

605-490-2601

springer96@msn.com

605-665-8303

tojan41@yahoo.com

Jeanine

Carpenter

Member

605-987-5110

umwjeaninec@hotmail.com

Bruce

Millikan

Secretary

605-366-4675

stilladamsdad@hotmail.com

Randy

Burnison

Member

605-350-6978

rgburnison@santel.net

Linda

Garriott

Executive Director

605-856-4266

treeoflife@gwtc.net

Laurie

Haller

Bishop

612-230-3334

bishop@dkmnareaumc.org

Bob

Ruedebusch

District Superintendent

605-484-1502

bob.ruedebusch@dakotasumc.org

Al

Roll

Missional Impact Link Rep.

701-391-2015

al.roll@dakotasumc.org

Van Dyke

Secretary

701-426-8662

stevevandyke@lignite.com

Hobein

Treasurer

701-258-5716

raiderguy10@gmail.com

Puhalla

Director

701-222-3004

opendoor@btinet.net

Steele

Trustee Representative

Sheila

Fryer

Randy

OPEN DOOR Steve COMMUNITY Derrick CENTER – BOARD OF Jolene DIRECTORS MaryLee

Ex Officio

Phone

Email

mlsteele47@hotmail.com

Member, Lay

701-391-0605

junkenholz@aol.com

Meissner

Member, Lay

701-663-2305

rmeissner@nd.gov

Kenneth

Hogue

Member, Lay

605-255-1014

KennethHogue01@bis.midco.net

Mary

Carter

Member, Lay

Jim

Karn

Member, Lay

701-226-4712

Brandon

Vetter

Member, Clergy

701-223-4401

brandon@legacyumc.org

Bruce

Adams

Member, Clergy

701-663-8909

bruceadams2261@yahoo. com

Jennifer

Hallenbeck Orr Member, Clergy

701-255-1160

jhallenbeck@mccabeumc.com

Karl

Kroger

Member, Clergy

605-999-9898

pastorkarl@mccabeumc.com

Winckler

District Superintendent

701-269-9960

joel.winckler@dakotasumc.org

Lint

President, Southeast District, Shop Manager

605-363-3470

pmllint@goldenwest.net

612-226-6556

director@solarovenpartners.org

Joel

SOLAR OVEN Phil PARTNERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS (SOP) Marjorie

Evans-de-Carpio Director & Communications Team

dmcarter1969@hotmail.com

Gene

Bethke

Northeast District, Shop Manager

605-233-0168

gbethke@itctel.com

Dave

Silbernagel

Northwest District

701-425-1382

silbernagel.dave@yahoo.com

Gloria

Borgman

Southwest District

605-642-5321

ron.borgman@yahoo.com

Karen

Workman

701-214-2234

Klworkman1@outlook.com

Connie

Smith

Northwest District, Expertise Gifts Processing, Communications Communications Team

605-270-1097

cmsmith@siouxvalley.net

Donna

Fisher

Communications Team

605-391-9733

dmfisher@wildblue.net

Adam

Burnison

Shop Manager

605-360-6638

paws4u@gmail.com

Jay

Niedert

Conference At Large Member

605-270-9259

niedertj@yahoo.com

Emily

Warns

Conference At Large Member

605-480-4264

eswarns@hotmail.com

Ariana

Arampatzis

Conference At Large Member

605-216-5933

Ariana.arampatzis@gmail.com

Ex Officio

Al

Roll

Cabinet Staff Representative

701-391-2015

al.roll@dakotasumc.org

SPIRIT LAKE MINISTRY CENTER ADVISORY BOARD

Kim/ Paultette Paulson

Board member

blackhammer1@gmail.com

Valerie

Luick

Board member

valerie.luick@hotmail.com

Kenny

Baker Jr

Board member

kennybaker_02@hotmail.com

Al

Goehring

Board member

agoehrin@daktel.com

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Committee/ Agency

First Name

Last Name

Role

Myra

Pierson

Baord member

wacstaske@yahoo.com

Andrew/Jenny

Lindstrom

Board member

andrewlindstrom@yahoo.com

Phone

Email

To be filled - member Ex officio

Mike

Flowers

701-799-1174

slministry@hotmail.com

Libby

Flowers

701-799-1174

slministry@hotmail.com

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Section 4: Conference Reports 4.1 Common Table During the past year, Common Table—along with the rest of the world—has been learning to lead and follow Christ with new tools. While our mission of reaching the lost remains unchanged, the presentation of that has adapted to a world of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite these constraints, ministries continue to serve the churches and people of the Dakotas. Most of our churches have developed an on-line presence and opted for “drive-by” services, whether that be for communion or the Advent and Lenten dinners offered in their communities.

During the past year, we have been a sounding board as financial and organizational challenges develop, trying to forecast and prepare for an unpredictable annual projection. Often, it seems that we are aiming at a target that continues to shift.

Addressing concerns brought up by the process of approving the Wahlstrom Resolution at Annual Conference (AC) 2019, a statement recognizing the hurt caused was presented by the Common Table at AC 2020. While it was intended to acknowledge the response, there was some controversy that followed. Prayerful conversations were held to affirm the intentional purpose of the statement from Common Table as recognizing both sides of this matter.

We were blessed to have the extended leadership of Bishop Ough through the end of 2020, and we welcome the smooth transition with Bishop Laurie Haller, interim Bishop for the Dakotas Conference.

Submitted by Sheila Dailie, chair, Common Table 4.2 Conference Commission on Archives and History (CAH) Imagine if you suddenly lost all memory. What things would you be able to do in preparing for your day if you had no memory or anyone to tell you how to perform mundane, menial, but necessary activities of daily life? How would you feed, clothe and/or bathe yourself if you did not remember what those things were let alone how to accomplish them?

Memory is essential to every human endeavor including human organizations such as our conference. Since memory functions in the background of our lives, we often take it for granted until it is lost. But that doesn’t negate memory’s essential place in our organization. Because memory is a vital organizational function we cannot afford to lose, your Commission on Archives and History (CAH) takes these opportunities to report on your conference’s ministry of memory.

The chief function of your CAH and the bulk of its budget goes to the following tasks given to us by General Conference and recorded in ¶641 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2016 edition: 1) “collect, preserve and make accessible the historically significant records of the annual conference and its agencies …”

2) “provide for the permanent safekeeping of the historical records of all abandoned or discontinued churches in the bounds of the annual conference and its antecedents.”

3) “maintain a fire-safe historical and archival depository and … see that all items that obviously will have value for future history are properly preserved therein.”

4) “provide for the ownership of real property and … receive gifts and bequests.”

5) “cooperate with and report when requested, to the general and jurisdictional commission on archives and history.”

Although they occupy less of the budget, time, and attention, CAH also provides the following ministries: • Clergy grave markers: CAH provides the Cabinet with clergy grave markers to present at individual memorial or funeral services of our deceased clergy. In 2006, before the conference stopped apportioning the total cost of its approved ministries to local churches and before the price jumped, CAH shrewdly purchased a large supply of grave markers. By early 2021, after record clergy deaths (10 in 2020, the supply ran out. So, with donated funds outside of apportionments, we hope to supply grave markers throughout 2021. However, we anticipate needing apportionments to buy more in 2022.

• Jubilee Clergy: We designate those clergy members of our conference with 50 years or more of pastoral service as “jubilee clergy.”

We collect short essays from recipients describing their lives and ministries since retirement. Assuming this report is accepted, we will recognize this year the following persons as jubilee clergy: Bruce Forbes, David Heetland, Gary Rae and Richard Sykes. Look for their reflections in the 2021 Conference Journal. If your clergy service record doesn’t reflect your years of Christian service, such as internships or years as a missionary, please see one of the commission members to correct your jubilee year.

• North Central Jurisdiction Commission on Archives and History (NCJCAH): The NCJCAH comprises members of the General Commission on Archives and History (GCAH) from this jurisdiction as well as up to three additional voting delegates from each of the jurisdiction’s 10 annual conferences. Among its purposes are to promote historical projects within the jurisdiction and to set collection policies for the jurisdictional archives. At each meeting, each conference commission reports on how its mission is fulfilled there. GCAH staff also make live reports. Due to COVID, there hasn’t been an NCJCAH meeting since July 11, 2019, and one is not planned until July 11, 2022. However, the officers continue in place until the (GCAH) can organize a new general commission. That will take place after the next regular session of General Conference. So, as a result, Rev. Duane Coates, our conference chair, continues to chair that commission and represent it on the GCAH as he’s done since July 2016. As such, he also continues as chair of the conference commission.

Highlights of the past year: • Five people from the Dakotas registered for the Local Church Historians School sponsored by the General Commission on Archives and History. The GCAH is considering offering the class again in 2022 or possibly late this year.

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• •

We were able to digitize our conference journals and those of all our predecessor conferences back to 1940. Unfortunately, most of that conference ministry had to be funded by a very generous private contribution.

Continuing research by Rev. Dr. Stephen Perry to update the conference’s written history. We anticipate the draft of the fifth of a proposed seven chapters will be available online soon. You may see his work at https://dakotahistorianblog.wordpress.com/

Budget proposal: Our conference’s items of historic significance are maintained in a high-quality archival space within the George and Eleanor McGovern Library on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D. To appropriately archive those materials and assist researchers in accessing them, your conference apportionments fund half the cost of employing the archivist we share with DWU, Dr. Laurie Langland.

These two items, archives, and personnel, consumed 97.6% of our 2020 apportionment expenditures. That is up 5.4 percentage points from the previous year which means those items became even higher priorities for us. Those two items represent 95% of our 2022 apportionment request. (As of this writing, the Conference Council on Finance and Administration hasn’t yet acted on our proposal. So, the amount you have before you may differ from the $39,950 requested.)

The amount of money we have needed for this ministry has remained fairly flat through the years. For instance, our 2022 requested amount is only 1.3% higher than we spent three budget cycles ago. So, as a result, our archivist’s salary and benefits have fit into that, we are meeting more by electronic means and we have less money available to equip local churches to conduct ministries of memory.

For better or worse, the revenue the conference receives is a reflection of the amount you give to your local church. So, I hope you will prayerfully examine your heart in considering the amount you will commit to your church in 2022. With just 16 cents of every dollar you give to the operating costs of your local church, your conference is able to enable a ministry of memory and so many other vital ministries that help us achieve our mission to equip your church’s discipleship.

Another connectional ministry: Your CAH is a connectional ministry. CAH participates in the conference mission of “providing a connection beyond the local church” through its involvement not only with NCJCAH, but also with the Historical Society of The United Methodist Church (HSUMC). HSUMC is a 31-year-old organization promoting interest in the study, preservation and dissemination of the history and heritage of The United Methodist Church and its antecedents. It also publishes Methodist History, a quarterly peer-reviewed journal.

Dues are $50/year. For more information see www.umchistory.org. Rev. Duane Coates serves on that organization’s board of directors.

To provide those and other ministry tasks, your six voting and three non-voting members of your commission met just once since the last annual conference. That was on March 6, 2021.

Submitted by R. Duane Coates, chair, Dakotas Conference Commission on Archives and History 5.3 Communications The Dakotas Conference communication team continues to tell the story of the ministries of the Dakotas Conference. The COVID-19 pandemic created an urgency to become more digitally and frequent with communication. Efforts were made to connect more through social media, share resources and tools with congregations and clergy, and equip churches for virtual ministry.

An average of four news articles, announcements, blog posts, and resources were posted on the Dakotas Conference website —www.dakotausmc.org, daily from March-December 2020. A targeted page was created as a hub of resources and information related to COVID. E-newsletters and announcements played a critical role in equipping congregations through the uncharted waters of the pandemic. Each week, March-December, four e-newsletters were prepared and sent. Monday @ Dakotas shared stories of vibrancy in ministry amid the pandemic. This Week @ Dakotas was sent each Tuesday with announcements about events, resources, and tools. Clergy Connections was sent to all Dakotas Conference clergy highlighting news, tools, resources for worship and ministry during the pandemic. The Conference Connections newsletter was sent on Fridays, with content sharing stories of how congregations were navigating the pandemic waters, including highlighting an online worship service of one congregation each week.

Online worship services and television worship services were prepared for United Methodists churches and individuals. A complete Easter worship was televised, organized by the Dakotas Conference's leadership, and broadcast across North and South Dakota. Twenty thousand seven hundred fifty homes viewed the televised Easter worship service. In December, a televised Christmas worship service was prepared and broadcast in partnership with Dakota Wesleyan University. There were more than 20,000 homes that tuned into the Christmas TV worship service.

Cabinet members, including the Bishop, pre-recorded 13 sermons for congregations to use as part of virtual worship. Two online worship services were recorded and made available as resources for congregations, including Camp Sunday and A Very Dakotas Christmas. Additionally, the Celebration of Life and Ministry Service, Annual Conference Opening Worship, and Closing Worship were available as resources to congregations.

The social media presence of the Dakotas Conference became more frequent. Posts and tweets were made 2-4 times daily through HootSuite. The engagement has increased by 35% through shares and likes on Facebook, Instagram, and retweets on Twitter. Facebook is the most popular channel with 800 average daily views.

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Virtual events and webinars became the norm for Conference Events. In June, a virtual clergy session was held, with 235 participants. The 2020 Annual Conference was held virtually in October, with more than 225 participants participating through Zoom webinar and 300 plus participants viewing the live stream.

More than 18 training and equipping webinars were hosted across the conference. The platform for hosting webinars and meetings virtually was shifted from Blue Jeans to Zoom, allowing for more licensed users and a larger number of participants. In 2020, the Dakotas Conference communication team and conference staff spent a significant amount of time guiding more than 115 churches in virtual worship experiences and other ministries.

The Dakotas-Minnesota communication team of Doreen Gosmire, Karla Hovde, Christa Meland, and David Stucke received eight awards from the United Methodist Association of Communicators. For the past nine years, the two conferences have collaborated to create a communication team that produces excellence telling Dakotas and Minnesota United Methodists' stories.

The communication team is thankful to tell the story of United Methodists across the Dakotas who are passionate about making disciples.

Submitted by Doreen Gosmire, director of communication 4.4 Sessions Committee The Sessions Committee has planned the June 11-12, 2021 Annual Conference as a hybrid event. The theme is “Jesus Waymaker.”

The Friday sites where people will gather to focus on business, including voting, are: First United Methodist Church, Fargo, N.D.; McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, N.D.; First United Methodist Church, Rapid City, S.D.; and Sioux Falls Convention Center, Sioux Falls, S.D. (the broadcast site).

Rev. Rachel Billups is the scheduled teacher on Saturday, June 12. People may participate either at the Sioux Falls Convention Center or virtually via their own device.

The Celebration of Life in Ministry service will be held Friday, June 11 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. It will also be broadcast and available on the Dakotas Conference website.

The Clergy Session is planned for May 25, 2021 as a virtual session.

The 2022 Annual Conference is planned for Bismarck, North Dakota.

Submitted by Kay Braun, chair, Sessions Committee 4.5 Executive Director of Ministries Throughout the past year we have continued to adapt as the mission and purpose of the Dakotas Conference continues to be the same—to support and equip pastors and local churches so they can accomplish the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We are fueled by our core values: JESUS as Lord and Savior as our foundation, our call to the MISSION of sharing the Good News and making disciples, and the importance of being in CONNECTION with one another for support and accountability. Our key strategies to accomplish that are overseen by our Missional Links and Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA) and are implemented by Conference staff and leadership. Key activities and outcomes of 2020-2021 are shared in the reports for each area.

Submitted by Rebecca Trefz, executive director, Ministries 4.6 DEVELOPING MISSIONAL LEADERS 4.6 Developing Missional Leaders Link As the calendar page turned from 2020 to 2021, we were all filled with optimism that things would be better, and in large ways, they are.

Churches are returning to in-person services, conference ministries are coming out of fallow seasons and starting to plant seeds in fresh soil, and a spirit of excitement is growing. Thanks be to God because it has been a long, strange year and a half. I know that as I write this, the pandemic is not over, but as vaccine availability grows and as vaccines continue to be administered, we see hope. In the life in the ministry areas of the Missional Leaders Link, there are several highlights to share about our year in ministry.

A ministry that has had to make the biggest shifts and be the most creative has been our Camp and Retreat Ministries. Camping Director Keith Shew pointed out one highlight from the pandemic season: “Area camp staff worked collaboratively to develop multiple weeks of ‘Camp Connections’ - videos of popular activities, devotions, worship, niche experiences from each site, and fun and meaningful traditions to share with campers throughout the summer. This successful outreach helped campers remain connected to the ministries that they love, have been important in their lives and faith stories, and missed in 2020.” Our Camp and Retreat Ministries are preparing for an in-person camping season, with precautions and limited attendance. It is a hard piece of the process to navigate, but masks will be required whenever campers are indoors, unless they are with their pods (cabin groups), and deans are being encouraged to plan activities outside as much as possible so that campers can be spaced out and unmasked. It will be exciting to have campers return to our three sites across the Dakotas

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and at our sister camps in Minnesota. But an in-person camping season is not the only exciting news in our camp and retreat ministries.

After completing the new maintenance shop in 2020, Lake Poinsett celebrated the demolition of the old shop in the middle of camp. This new space opens us possibilities for programming that were never before available and makes the camp safer as moving the shop eliminated a great deal of traffic through the middle of camp.

2020 and 2021 have been the years where we, like all leaders, have had to adjust and determine what ministries must be in person or what things we could try and do differently. Our Reach event was virtual this year, and we have all been able to benefit from the re-broadcasts of those teachings. Jason Moore did several different presentations on doing both/and-style worship. As things return to “normal” and as the dust continues to settle, we will continue to look at ways the ministries under our ministry umbrella can continue this line of thinking. We look hopefully forward to 2021-2022.

Submitted by Clay Lundberg, chair, Developing Missional Leaders Link 4.6.1 Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) The Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) is intentional about our work and mission. We are disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. God is moving in the hearts of people of all ages. We are assisting people as they answer God’s call.

We as a Board are blessed with the task of building a culture of call throughout the Dakotas. We nurture people through the candidacy and ordination process. We train new clergy and lay leaders in the Dakotas Conference. We maintain standards for clergy effectiveness throughout a clergy member’s life of service and honor the service of our clergy members at pivotal transition points. We take this task seriously.

We pray and seek God’s guidance as we work with each person.

As we live in an uncertain world, it is no different in The United Methodist Church. The Board of Ordained Ministry is grappling with the uncertainty. We seek direction for the Board and our processes. We look for ways to help and guide ministry candidates through this uncertain time. Please pray for our church and the BOM as we work through these times together.

We are excited to offer the Elisha and Samuel Projects. College students may apply to participate in the Elisha Project. A team of clergy and laity interview and approve interns for host churches from the pool of applicants. We offered scholarships to 3 college students—Andrea Hult to intern at Dakota Wesleyan University with Rev. Eric Van Meter, and two summer internships to Alex Hunnes at Spearfish UMC mentored by Rev. Scott McKirdy and Catrina Sandifer at Asbury UMC in Sioux Falls mentored by Revs. Kip Roozen and Matt Morrison The team also approved 1 Samuel Internship to a senior in high school to intern in their home church prior to college- this was awarded to Chloe Archambeau at Legacy UMC in Bismarck, ND. BOM is honored to provide funding to fully pay these internships to continue to grow our Culture of Call.

We offer events and opportunities in the Dakotas Conference: Licensing School and Certified Lay Ministry School (virtually); pre-conference gatherings for seminary students and young adult members of the Annual Conference; facilitate groups at the various denominational events, such as Exploration; and facilitate the Clergy Leadership Academy (CLA) gatherings for Provisional Members and Licensed Local Pastors.

We urge all clergy and churches to prayerfully consider God’s leading and be aware of God’s call on people’s lives. Each Christian has a call and ministry which is God-given. Some have a call to pastoral ministry (whether Licensed Local Pastor or Ordained Clergy). If you have a call to pastoral ministry, please seek out your pastor or District Superintendent and share your call.

Submitted by Val Reinhiller, chair, Dakotas Board of Ordained Ministry 4.6.2 Camp and Retreat Ministries COVID 19 - After much prayer and consultation, Area Camping leadership made the difficult decision to suspend our conference sponsored summer programs at all your camps due to safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Suspension of summer programs and cancellation of large group hosted events resulted in revenue losses of 91% in the Dakotas and 84% in Minnesota. Despite tremendous financial losses, your Area Camps completed 2020 with no operational deficits. Your camps received much in the way of additional support through PPP grants, generous support from our Boards of Pensions and Health Benefits, generous giving towards the “Keep our Campfires Glowing” appeal, and churches continuing to contribute towards special askings. The tireless and selfless work of your camp staff including camp directors, site staff, and central office staff is to be deeply commended. Your staff faced significant challenges, difficult decisions, great uncertainty, and personal sacrifice including salary reductions and furloughs as they led your camps through this unprecedented time of unknown. Much credit is due to this hardworking and dedicated team of ministry specialists. Your Area Camps were able to re-open to host personal retreats and small groups.

Camp Connections - With the suspension of all camping related programming, Area camp staff worked collaboratively to develop multiple weeks of “Camp Connections” - videos of popular activities, devotions, worship, niche experiences from each site, and fun and meaningful traditions to share with campers throughout the summer. This successful outreach helped campers remain connected to the ministries that they love, have been important in their lives and faith stories, and missed in 2020.

Strategic Initiatives - Your Area Camp and Retreat Ministry experienced significant progress on Strategic Initiatives including final approval of Koronis Tabernacle building, completion of the new maintenance shop at Lake Poinsett Camp, purchase of forest land adjacent to Northern Pines Property, and establishing a Conservation Easement with the State of Minnesota on the Star Lake Camp property.

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Koronis Ministries - Three major items dominated 2020 at Koronis Ministries, a camp and retreat facility of the MN UMC. First, at the very end of 2019 an early morning fire in historic Lakeview Lodge destroyed the ministry’s kitchen, and damaged the lodging, dining, and administrative areas of this central structure. Thankfully, no groups were on site at the time, and the building was fully insured. Restoration of the 99-year-old structure was completed by the end of the summer, along with the rental of a mobile kitchen, which will serve the camp until construction of a kitchen in the New Tabernacle is completed in early 2022. Second, in mid-March the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut down group hosting and summer camp activities for the remainder of the year. The camp experienced a 90% drop-in camper days and group revenue, remaining open mainly for cottage rental to individual families. The ministry was able to weather the financial challenges through austerity measures, some insurance funds from lost revenue due to the fire, donations from friends of camp, and a government grant from the PPP program. Miraculously, the camp ended the year with only a slight budget deficit. Third, planning and permitting has continued for the camp’s long-awaited new Tabernacle meeting and dining center. The fire in the Lakeview kitchen increased the immediate need for the structure, but COVID slowed the permitting process down at the state level. With final building permits now in site, construction of the $4 million building is now expected to begin in the Spring of 2021. Fundraising for the structure is ongoing. The camp is looking forward to reopening its group hosting and summer camp programming in 2021, and to being fully operational in 2022 to celebrate 100th anniversary year of the ministry!

KoWaKan Adventures - Like much of the camping world, KoWaKan Adventures, the wilderness canoe ministry of the MN UMC, was essentially closed to youth and church groups during the summer of 2020. Because of this, the camp did not lead any guided Boundary Waters expeditions last summer. The site was, however, open to serve as a base camp for self-sufficient family and small groups, and a number of families thoroughly enjoyed their time in the great outdoors during the pandemic. Plans are in place for a full reopening of guided expeditions in the summer of 2021, including a major site enhancement in the form of new 16” yurt that will serve as a central gathering place for meetings and in inclement weather. The site also hopes to continue to extend its use in the months of June through September as a place of retreat for self-contained family and friend groups desiring a rustic retreat or a base camp for Boundary Water trips.

Wesley Acres - Wesley Acres met challenges throughout the COVID -19 pandemic in new ways. We expanded our online presence, reminding our campers that although separated we were together in prayer and memories. Wesley Acres tackled maintenance projects and readied our site for life with COVID restrictions. In the fall, we were able to host a few groups safely offering the ministry of Christ and a place apart to grow. This year was a challenge for many, and Wesley Acres was proud to help record video services for several local churches.

Lake Poinsett Camp - 2020 was a busy year for us at Lake Poinsett Camp even though we did not host many groups. Our biggest project was the completion of our brand-new maintenance building paid for by a gift from the Larson Estate. The suspension of summer camps gave us much needed time to clean out six areas around camp including the old shop that stored maintenance items. We carefully organized items and placed the items we were keeping in the beautiful new 50 x 80-foot heated shop. There were a lot of unused items around camp, so we had a rummage sale that raised $3500 for Lake Poinsett Camp. Our hope is to dedicate the new shop in the fall of 2021.

We were busy with several other projects around camp as well including: the installation of new retaining wall by the outdoor chapel, planted tons of grass seed by the new retaining walls, painted the girl’s staff cabin, built twenty portable pallet snow fences, winterized all the buildings at camp except the retreat center, installed two memorial benches, installed a commercial grade concrete picnic table overlooking the lake, and replaced the water heater in the retreat center. In addition to these projects, we completed the following upgrades in the director’s house: remodeled two bathrooms, installed new garage doors, and replaced the windows in the master bedroom.

Storm Mountain Center - Although summer camps were cancelled, we were able to provide 53 days of retreat and time apart for clergy and their families. Renovated Leach Meeting Room on the lower floor of Allison Hall, including new flooring, upgraded technology to better serve programming needs, and some new furnishings. Replaced 27-year-old boiler on the third floor of Allison Hall. Conducted full maintenance on the water well that serves our entire site, including a new pump, pipe couplings and service on the reservoir and valves.

Five-hundred working hours of volunteer service were given to keep camp beautiful and cared for through maintaining trails, gardening and lawncare, renovating Leach Meeting Room, repairing fencing by the parking lot, deep cleaning buildings, collecting and stocking firewood, clearing a woodland site for a prayer labyrinth, and building bat houses.

Northern Pines - We chose the word community from our mission statement to be the focus of our ministry as we suspended on-site ministry in March. No summer camp was very hard for camp staff, but we were in ministry with our camp community in so many amazing ways this summer: All 2020 registered campers received a handwritten card from camp, 19 clergy and clergy families took advantage of our Clergy Time Apart incentive and spent socially distanced respite and renewal time in our cabins, and 18 other individuals and families also stayed on site. Six families spent time at camp helping with spring cleaning, raking, splitting, and stacking wood, and cleaning up the grounds, fixing our skid steer, creating a new roof over the Red Pine window wells, making cabin repairs, putting a ceiling in the shower house, painting cabins, sanding and staining Birchmont/Sleepwell decks, and putting in a new railing on the deck.

Staffing Transitions and Celebrations - We said goodbye to Richard Rohlik, Koronis chef/food service director; John Feldhus, Lake Poinsett Maintenance Director; and Jim Heflin (furloughed with hopes of rehiring) Lake Poinsett Food Service Director. We welcomed Sarahjane Madison, Program Staff at Northern Pines; and Ryan Bjorklund, Lake Poinsett Ministry Assistant Dakotas-Minnesota Area Alignment - All Dakotas-Minnesota staff, including site directors and central office staff, continue to meet and plan consistently together. Since 2016, the Dakotas and Minnesota conferences’ camp and retreat ministries have combined their strengths and leadership and have come together to form a joint governance council. The Camp and Retreat Council is made up of equal representation from each conference and meets quarterly. In addition, since 2017 Dakotas-Minnesota Camp and Retreat Ministries has served our area churches, clergy, and staff through a centralized administration office.

American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation - Dakotas and Minnesota staff regularly review every facet of camp programs and opera-

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tions to ensure a safe and quality camp experience for all participants. Each of your six Area sites are fully accredited operations through the ACA, the national accrediting body for camping programs. To earn accreditation, camps must comply with hundreds of health, safety, and program quality standards. Only one in five camps nationwide achieves this distinction.

Current Staffing - Dakotas: Christy Heflin - Director, Lake Poinsett Camp; Levi and Lara Ziegler – Co-Directors, Storm Mountain Center; Paul and Brenda Lint - Co-Directors, Wesley Acres Camp.

Minnesota: Leslie Hobson - Director, Northern Pines Camp; Dan Ziegler - Director, Koronis Ministries and Kowakan Adventures.

Central Camping Office - Stacey Edwards - Camping Coordinator; Linda Bowers - Camping Assistant; Beata Ferris - Marketing and Outreach Project Coordinator; Mary Hovden - Camping Accountant; Keith Shew – Area Executive Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries Thank you for your continued support of your camp and retreat ministries in the Dakotas and Minnesota Annual Conferences. Thank you for making sure that the children, youth, families, and adults in your church and community know about camping opportunities. Your support and encouragement help ensure that your camps and retreat centers can continue to be places where God meets with people. An experience at one of your Dakotas and Minnesota United Methodist Camps has changed the lives of generations of our Conferences’ leadership. Thank you.

“Camp Gives Kids a World of Good.” American Camp Association Submitted by Keith Shew, area director, Camp and Retreat Ministries 4.6.3 Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM) “It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.” Roy T. Bennett During the pandemic, the Dakotas Conference Council on Youth Ministry had to adapt and make changes to the youth ministry program from the past year. Many of our events from 2020 had to be cancelled and our guests had to be pushed back with the hope of 2021 being better.

We continue to offer yearly training to support and equip the paid and volunteer youth workers across our conference. They are recognized and seen as a valuable part of our ministry.

Youthworker Academy 2021 – Our annual training event for pastors and youth workers was cancelled back in 2020, but we plan to host it this year, April 23rd-24th at Storm Mountain Center. Our guest presenter was Chris Hansen of Leadership Harbor, a former advisor to Yellow Ribbon, and youth pastor. The workshops Chris led were: Identify & Investing in our Leaders, Keep Calm and Lead On, Time to Shift Gears? and Yesterday Ended Last Night, Be Intentional with Today.

Our CCYM election process has been solidified and applications were made available online back on January 22nd with a deadline of May 21st. Current CCYM leadership will select candidates based on their gifts and potential to serve at Annual Conference. The hope is that more pastors and youth leaders throughout our Conference will encourage youth to share their gifts and apply. Last year’s elections were held online via Zoom.

Leadership Training Camp continues to be a place and opportunity in which the youth leaders elected to the CCYM practice leadership.

Staffed by CCYM adults and other conference leaders, the youth in attendance select classes to attend daily, learn about, plan, and lead worship, enjoy fun and fellowship, and build lasting friendships. They study biblical themes each day in large and small groups. This year’s theme is “God in the Movies” and our guest for the week is Stephanie Caro. Last year’s LTC was held virtually via Zoom with special themes for each day.

DAKYOUTH 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic but we plan to host DAKYOUTH 2021 in Aberdeen, November 12th-14th. The Skit Guys will kick off our event along with a greeting from Bishop Haller. Our worship leaders will be VOTA, a few guest preachers, and our main stage presenters will be Mark DeVries and Jeff Dunn-Rankin, President and Vice President of Ministry Architects.

The CCYM continue to promote our events through updates from the Mondays at Dakotas, email, Facebook, text, paper mailings and continual revisions and additions to our website: www.dakyouth.org To receive text updates text “DAKYOUTH” to 40650.

The CCYM continues to be an important area in which young leaders discern a call to the ordained ministry. As leaders, we take this responsibility seriously, as well as the responsibility to educate and nurture youth leaders.

Our CCYM continue to be a blessing to the Dakotas Conference as we seek to empower, equip, and encourage our young people for the transformation of the world.

Submitted by Jeff Lathrop, coordinator, Conference Council on Youth Ministry 4.6.4 Financial Health and Generosity The Financial Health and Generosity ministry, a collaborative ministry of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area, is supported by generous donors and Lilly Endowment's national initiative around the Economic Challenges Facing our Pastoral Leaders. The ministry's vision of "Wholistic Extravagant Generosity" focuses on three key strategies: to improve the financial well-being of clergy, to strengthen church financial health, and to grow a culture of generosity. In 2020, the ministry equipped pastors and thus, their churches, with training, education, and resources through: free financial education materials and webinars to any interested pastor; free financial counseling options, individual and group,

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for pastors; total well-being resources; investing in Leaders Resource grants for education debt reduction of $5000 each to 35 pastors; training in stewardship and generosity practices through Clergy Leadership Academy for 50 pastors; funding of $6000 per student for graduatelevel education provided to 23 pastors who graduated from the Nonprofit Church Leadership certificate program at Dakota Wesleyan University (with 12 new students starting in 2020); financial ministry grants of $500 per church for financial education for congregations and communities of local churches; quarterly communication of numerous resources through Money Matters, e-newsletter for clergy.

Submitted by Diane Owen, area program director 4.6.5 Higher Ground Higher Ground—A sacred time for clergy to experience renewal and transformation.

The 2016 Book of Discipline set forth requirements that each Conference provide a process for each clergy to complete at the 8-year junctures in their service of ministry. This directive, combined with the need we saw for clergy to have access to “coaching” (e.g., counseling, spiritual direction, health coaching, technical and/or leadership coaching, etc.) for personal and professional development was the inspiration for the Higher Ground Initiative. Our first-year cohort invested in 13 clergy who began their journey with a week at Terra Sancta Retreat Center in July 2019, followed by a year of personal and group coaching addressing opportunities for personal and/or professional development as well as overall wellbeing in the five critical dimensions of mental, physical, spiritual, financial, and social. This process is overseen by an advisory council of clergy and lay from the Dakotas Conference and funded by a Thriving in Ministry Grant from the Lilly Endowment.

The implementation team consists of team leader and physician Dr. Shawn Culey, Spiritual Directors Lin VanHofwegen and Dr. Susan Reese, Financial Therapist Sarah Swantner, Avera Health Coach Cheryl Pitzl, and Director of Leadership Development, Deb Kjerstad.

The retreat was a time for intentional learning and discerning focused on looking back at their spiritual timelines and ministry journey, looking inward and around, and looking forward by setting goals for the next season of ministry. Additionally, it was a time of rest and relaxation, worship, and devotions, hiking and yoga, and nourishment for body, mind, and spirit. It was a renewal for their calling, knowing they have resources, tools and persons prepared to help and support them along the way.

The second component of the Lilly Grant provided an additional group of clergy personal coaching for a year. We had 20 clergy receive funding for support and development—many of these individuals were invited after One-on-One conversations with the DS, and some were personal requests. Please refer to our page on the website under Clergy Total Well-being for more information or to request resources.

Due to the impact of COVID 19, an in-person retreat to kick off the 2020-21 cohort was not possible last summer. Our team worked to reinvent the process with the same mission and outcomes. A new cohort of 14 individuals began their journey in September 2020 with monthly calls designed to create a community of support for the nine months leading up to a retreat at Terra Sancta in July of 2021. The goal will be to create space in their life for personal wholeness and engage with each other to create that bond of trust prior to coming to the retreat and set the stage for a deeper dive during the retreat which then will be followed by 6 months to a year of personal coaching.

This new framing of the process has strong momentum- beginning with 9 months of calls and creating a community of trust within the cohort members and our team- so we will continue this and have invited the next group of individuals for the 2022 cohort which will again kick off in Sept. 2021. We look forward to engaging and impacting every clergy in the conference over the course of this project- pouring much needed energy and inspiration for the next steps of their ministry career and life.

Submitted by Deborah Kjerstad, director of Leadership Development 4.6.6 Lay Servant Ministry We celebrate the gifts, talents, and generosity of the laity across the Dakotas Conference, as they have continued to share the message of Jesus Christ. Despite COVID-19 laity have used traditional along with new and innovative ways of reaching those in need of God’s love and demonstrating Christian care and prayer. We recognized the need for churches and laity to engage in congregational care as people in our churches were suffering from isolation and lack of connection- so we provided another Congregational Care certification workshop with Karen Lampe from Church of the Resurrection with COVID specific training on how to reconnect people to the church in new and creative ways. We also provided 3 workshops on how to have impactful online worship through Jason Moore with Midnight Oil. We are thankful that 112 pastors and laity representing 84 churches took part in this training offered by the Conference this past year. The laity has continued to grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ and in their desire to reach new people. We will continue to work to recognize where there is a need and provide training and resources that fit.

We give a special thank you to Deb Kjerstad, our Director of Leadership Development, and Susan Punt, our Administrative Assistant to Ministry Operations, Finance, and Administration, who are instrumental in supporting the laity in our Conference.

May God continue to inspire and bless the laity as they continue the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ to transform the world.

Submitted by Jane Hincks and Myrna Hill, Dakotas Conference Co-Lay Leaders 4.6.7 Dakotas United Methodist Women

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United Methodist Women is the official women’s organization of the United Methodist Church. Membership is open to any woman who indicates her desire to belong and to support the Purpose. We collaborate with organizations worldwide that address the condition of women, children, and youth around the world.

Our 2020 theme was “Let Your Light Shine”. We sought encouragement from the Scriptures and were challenged to be God’s light in the world as Christian disciples. We shine light on issues that marginalize God’s children. We are emboldened by the Light and the Word that gives hope to practice justice in the world. Our social action priority issues for the 2017-2020 quadrennial included climate justice, maternal and child health, criminalization of communities of color, and economic inequality.

The Dakotas Conference Mission Team met three times during the year. A team planning meeting was held in Selby, SD during January 2020 to get to know each other and to plan the upcoming year. 2020 was to be the year when we needed to have a “clear vision” of what God had in store for our missions; but no one foresaw the world-wide pandemic. The other two meetings were both by Zoom in early August and early October. It was a joy to “see” each other as we conducted business.

Focus Days are events planned and presented by teams of Conference and District UMW Officers. Each District schedules two to four sites within that District to meet in April. Focus offers the opportunity to fellowship with area women in worship, to hear about mission studies, to learn about social action concerns, and to exhibit our mission work for women, children and youth worldwide. The April Focus Days were the first cancellations of 2020.

The Dakotas UMW was excited to host the North Central Jurisdiction UMW Quadrennial Meeting in Sioux Falls, SD from June 26-28, 2020 with the theme “Calling u”. Due to the growing pandemic, all in-person UMW Jurisdiction meetings were cancelled. Registration fees were refunded. One activity that still needed to happen was the elections of National Directors and the NCJ Officer team for 20212024. After a training session, the voting delegates met by Zoom and cast ballots on Poll Everywhere. The Dakotas are well represented by Dawn Armstrong as a UMW National Director and Ginny Coates as a North Central Jurisdiction Nominations Committee Member. Both ladies are very dedicated to the Purpose. Congratulations Dawn and Ginny.

Mission u 2020 at both Southern and Northern sites was also cancelled. The decision was made at the national level that the risk was too great for study leaders and deans to travel and gather for training. Shortly after this notification, Pastor Michelle Brennan felt a calling to provide a mini version of the “Finding Peace in an Anxious World” study on-line. For six Thursday evenings in April and May, Pastor Michelle led the class on YouTube from Jamestown First’s website. What a blessing it was, and such a timely topic. Thank you, Pastor Michelle.

Everyone’s health continued to be our biggest concern. All four of the Districts planned Annual Meetings/Retreats in September. The women of each district gather for business, programs, worship and fellowship. The local organizations are recognized for Mission Today, Five Star Giving and Reading Program Participation. The Southwest Officers were bold and held their District meeting by Zoom. The other three Districts used mail to conduct elections and distribute earned certificates.

The Dakotas Conference UMW Annual Celebration was scheduled for the weekend of October 2-3 in Jamestown ND. Instead, the Conference Mission team met by Zoom. We chose to attempt a Virtual UMW 2020 Celebration. Several officers videotaped their presentations and uploaded them to the Conference Office. We knew this would not be interactive, but hopefully would help members feel their connection to UMW. Sadly, there was a communications disconnect, and our 2020 Virtual UMW Celebration remains “lost in the internet cloud”. Thankfully, we chose to have the necessary business (election of officers and adoption of the budget and pledge) conducted by mail.

Ballots were printed in the November Dakota Links, as each Unit President receives this publication. There were several means to respond.

Sixty units approved the 2021 Slate of Officers, the 2021 Budget, and the 2021 Pledge. Thank you for your quick responses. There was no New Opportunity Grant recipient due to incomplete applications. Eight Love Ribbon Grants were awarded. All current information is listed in the November 2020, the March 2021 Dakota Links or the Dakotas Conference UMW 2021 Directory.

Even though so many events were not held, the Dakotas Conference United Methodist Women persevered. Many responded by sewing masks, donating food or money to local food projects, caring for children of front line workers, or volunteering at local projects, just to name a few. Some also held alternative fund raisers in place of their usual ones. We were encouraged to reach out to each other by any means possible to maintain our connections.

Individually we are all women of strength, strong in our faith and in our passion to fulfill the Purpose. Collectively, we are women in strength. As United Methodist Women, we work together to put faith, hope and love into action for women, children, and youth. We look forward to resuming our “normal” activities in 2021. In spite of things that may try to separate us such as the health crisis, political differences, worship styles, theological differences, miles, or simple misunderstandings, Jesus calls us to knit together as Christian disciples. The 2021 Annual Dakotas Conference Celebration is scheduled for October 1-2 at Jamestown St Paul’s with the theme “Knitted Together for God’s Good Works”.

Submitted by Marsha Timm, president, Dakotas Conference United Methodist Women 4.7 EQUIPPING MISSIONAL CONGREGATIONS

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Equipping Missional Congregations Link We continue to explore ways to come alongside existing congregations and/or apostolic leaders who are called to respond to a new movement of the Spirit. Here are some of the projects and initiative updates from the past year: 4.7.1 New Church Development Starting new service, new sites, new solo start up congregations is a proven way to reach new people making them disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Spirit is moving, and we are following with a wide range of new initiatives to reach new people.

Digital Campus Sites: New starts in 2021 that are online as a mission community of a host congregation.

Bismarck Legacy, Campus leader, Mike Jennens Fargo First, Campus leader, Abby Faleide Madison, Andrew Gross Milbank Central, Ginny Tonstenson Piedmont Grace, John Britt Rapid City Canyon Lake, Hayden Bentz Sioux Falls Asbury, Matt Morrison Spearfish, Kevin Nakajima Germinating: New starts that have not yet (re)launched public worship.

Hartford, SD: Starting a second service to reach new people led by Rev. Seth LaBounty.

Hurley, SD: Re-starting this ministry with Rev. Ron Olson.

Madison, SD: Re-starting second service with Rev. Randy Hedge.

Parker, SD: Re-starting this ministry with Rev. Rick Andrus Plankinton, SD: Renew plant partnership with Plankinton UMC and Rev. Herman Perez.

Rapid City, SD: The Road Recovery congregation of Canyon Lake led by Jeff Hauser.

Sioux Falls, SD: The Journey second service of Sioux Falls Wesley let by Manuel Loaeza.

Sprouting: Starts that have begun public worship.

Bismarck, ND: Rev. Andy Early leads this new site, Legacy South that has launched in south Bismarck.

Bismarck, ND: Rev. Chris Chase leads Recovery Bismarck, a new congregation that has launched in Bismarck.

Fargo, ND: Rev. Tamba Clark leads Calvary African that is nested at Fargo Calvary.

Gettysburg, SD: Rev. Jeff Adel leads a new service to reach new people on Sundays.

Sioux City, SD: Rev. Christine Cappetta led them as Embrace network reaching new people.

Sioux Falls, SD: Rev. Herman Perez starting Renew Hispanic church at Sioux Falls Sunnycrest.

Spirit Lake, ND: Rev. Mike Flowers and Libby Flowers lead this new start as part of their mission work.

Growing: Starts that have become self-sustaining Mitchell, SD: Fusion UMC Salem, SD: Salem Unite Church Sioux Falls, SD: Embrace, Sertoma Campus Visioning: Places where we imagine new congregations for new followers of Jesus.

Bismarck, ND Fargo, ND Madison, SD Sioux Falls, SD Submitted by Ben Ingebretson, area director, New Church Development 4.7.2 Revitalizing Existing Congregations We have adjusted our contract with Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey and the work of the Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI.) Because of other coaching and congregational intervention strategies that we are using—particularly in relationship to Higher Ground and the NonProfit Church Leadership Certificate program (NPCL)—we have moved to a per church fee rate. We currently have one church, Sioux Falls Southern Hills, engaged in the pastoral training and preparation for a consultation weekend. We also have several churches who continue to implement their prescriptions.

T he NPCL has emerged as not only a tremendous leadership development tool, but also a strategy for congregational revitalization as each pastor implements 1 or 2 development projects. They engage leaders in their church in the process which helps in the long-term health of the congregation.

The work of our Journey Renewal Partnership has evolved into the work of the Rural Ministry Initiative grant. The goals of this initiative include exploring new models of leadership for congregations that incorporate gifts of laity and co-vocational clergy; facilitating partnership between congregations to share resources in new ways; and (once Covid risk is lower) organizing an ecumenical networking opportunity for rural ministry leaders in the Dakotas.

Some key questions we are asking in the area of equipping congregations include: We get caught up in duties and tasks. “Your job is to make sure there is heat, SO THAT…”

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How can we train congregations to understand the ‘why’ of their Leadership Team role? How do we develop a common language across churches for some of these leadership roles? How can we equip churches around Mission/Vision/Values and help them see how each person fits into the bigger vision? How do we cultivate the soil to prepare congregations to welcome multi-cultural persons? How do we embed these culture shifts in the congregation, so it is not just clergy-based?

The Missional Congregations Link, in partnership with Conference staff, continues to explore other “mega-trends” such as hub-city growth, growth in diversity in rural areas, use of technology, etc., to determine what effective strategies in the areas of the new church development and congregational revitalization. We know there is no “silver bullet” and thus experimentation is essential.

Submitted by Rebecca Trefz, executive director, Ministries 4.8 EXTENDING MISSIONAL IMPACT Extending Missional Impact Link Breakthrough Ministry Grants continue to be the primary strategy to equip local churches to extend missional impact. These grants are meant to be seed money for new ministries that are: 1. Outward-focused to reach beyond the existing membership of the church; 2. Create opportunity for relationship building; and 3. Move people closer to a connection with Christ and the church. Grant recipients/projects from 2020-21 included: Alexandria UMC / SE District – Rural Ministry Internship Brookings First UMC – Campus Ministry Faith UMC - Child ID Kits Fargo Faith UMC - Streaming/Sound System Update Fargo First UMC - Children and Youth Ministry Technology Improvement Plan Flandreau UMC - Church Audio/Visual Update Grand Forks Wesley UMC - Online Engagement Harrold UMC - Together in Christ Highmore UMC - Technology Updates for Sunday School and Virtual Worship Madison UMC - Financial Peace University Mellette Northwestern UMC - Technology Additions Milbank Central UMC - The Bridge Minot Faith UMC - Service Livestream Minot Vincent UMC - Connect Group and Christian Education Minot Vincent UMC – Campus Ministry Mitchell Downtown First UMC - New Wineskins Outreach Rapid City Canyon Lake UMC – Campus Ministry Rapid City Open Heart UMC - Streaming Video Outreach Sioux Falls Hilltop UMC - Ability to Live Stream Sioux Falls Southern Hills UMC - Online Ministry Outreach Sturgis UMC – Dinner Church Al Roll has also joined the Conference staff as our Missional Impact Developer Coach and is working with our Conference mission ministries to develop long-range strategic plans, funding models, leadership development and succession plans, and Board recruitment and development steps.

Submitted by Rebecca Trefz, executive director, Ministries 4.8.1 Bakken Oil Rush Ministry – Out in Faith Out in Faith is in the business of finding lost sheep. Matthew 18:14 says that our Heavenly Father is unwilling that any should perish.

Finding lost sheep involves finding the felt need of those who wander. By meeting felt needs like a meal, diapers, a safe place to stay. Out in Faith builds relationships that allows us to speak to the deeper needs of each person, a relationship with the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through you, the lost sheep of God find their felt need met. We served over 6,230 meals in 2020 and gave out thousands of dollars’ worth of diapers and formula to over 225 families. We provided food boxes and Christmas boxes containing hygiene items and hats and gloves to 190 people. We gave out 200 winter coats and 95 blankets. We continue to offer transportation assistance and phone cards.

Our GIFT (God in Faith Tonight) meal and worship averaged 66 people before COVID. After the COVID pandemic started, we have been providing the meal as a drive through meal instead of in our church basement. We have been averaging 165 each Saturday night. When the meal is delivered to the vehicle/person, someone is ready to pray with them and meet their spiritual need.

Thank you, Dakotas Conference for all you do to make this ministry possible. Lives are changed and lost children found!

Submitted by Rev. Ross Reinhiller, pastor, Williston Faith UMC 4.8.2 Bakken Oil Rush Ministry – Watford City, N.D. Bakken Oil Rush, Watford City Outreach and Thrift Store continues to have a vital impact in Watford City and McKenzie county.

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Throughout 2020 we were able to help folks with 6967 transactions for clothing, household items, furniture, winter clothing and other items. We also helped at least 29 times by giving away items to folks in need. For example, in January, we helped three gentlemen who were recently released from prison. All three were very humble and extremely grateful for their free clothing to include winter wear. Later in the year a young boy was brought to the store by a neighbor obviously in need of new shoes. He left the store that day with two free pairs of shoes that he picked out.

Also, a young girl who was removed from a home where people were producing illegal drugs needed fresh clothing. All her clothes were contaminated from drug production. She left that day with the clothing she needed. Lastly, a three-year-old girl who had been removed from her home needed winter clothing. She received a coat, a pair of boots and other needed clothing. These are just a few examples of how we minister to our community throughout the year.

Unfortunately, we needed to close the store from March 17 until May 11 due to Covid-19 precautions. Despite being closed most of the month of March, we helped families and individuals at least 472 times with things they needed from the store. Employees remained oncall and readily available to help folks in need during the challenging weeks of store closure. When we reopened on May 12, we opened by appointment only. In compliance with safety guidelines, we had 15 folks in the store at a time plus store employees. Customers had 30 minutes to shop and 15 minutes to check-out. Financial donations also took a noticeable downturn of about 50 percent. Gratefully we were approved for a Paycheck Protection Plan loan to help keep the store open. The loan was 100 percent forgiven.

Despite Covid-19 challenges we still held the annual coat drive. We also held our annual Thanksgiving and Christmas events but did them as drive-in and pick-up only. And both events were successful. We gave away 208 home-cooked Thanksgiving meals to-go within 45 minutes and at least 108 children received a new, unwrapped gift of their choosing at the Toy Mall event. Although the Toy Mall event was also a drop-in event, we still enjoyed seeing smiling faces on the children, adults, and volunteers.

Additionally, we canceled the annual Comedy Café in 2020. The Comedy Café is our largest fundraiser of the year which raises awareness of the ministry and brings in much needed funds for a strong start the following year. Regardless, Dwayne Keener, the director, mailed letters to potential investors to ensure they knew the event was canceled but we were still very much in need of their annual investment in the ministry.

As mentioned in last year’s report, we hoped to have a positive report on renovation progress in this year’s report. We began a renovation investment campaign in February and applied for a grant to help with renovation projects. We are thrilled to report that the Thrift Store blue building now has a kitchen sink and a new changing room. Up until late last year, our only running water was in the restroom which also served as a laundry room and sink for washing dishes.

Keener located a construction company to do the excavation and plumbing work needed to connect the Quonset to city water and sewer. T The board approved the funding for the project which was completed in late October. We were also awarded a Covid-19 focused grant for part of the laundry room related expenses. We now have a restroom, water heater and laundry machine hook-ups in the Quonset. Now we are waiting on a grant to purchase an industrial washing machine and dryer. Additionally, the board approved funding to upgrade the electrical wiring in the Quonset and installing additional lighting and a ceiling fan in the sorting area. We were also awarded a grant to install a much-needed emergency exit in the Quonset.

We hired a new store manager on Christmas Eve and the previous manager now manages Quonset operations. Several other employees were hired enabling us to open without appointments three days a week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. We also began taking credit and debit card payments and have gift cards for purchase.

We continue to partner with the McKenzie County Emergency manager, The Salvation Army, the Family Crisis shelter, the McKenzie County food pantry, Social Services, and prison chaplains providing needed items in a crisis or referring folks to these organizations. Also, we continued community connections as a member of the Rotary Club, McKenzie County Cares committee, the Watford City Chamber of Commerce, the Minister’s Association and speaking at churches. In fact, in 2020 Keener was elected as president elect for the Watford City Rotary Club and will take over as president on July 1, 2021.

The outreach received kudos from the Family Crisis shelter coordinator and the McKenzie County Emergency manager in 2020 for our strong support of the community especially in crisis situations. The Family Crisis shelter coordinator wrote, “As a victim advocate who works with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking; I am very thankful to have Bakken Oil Rush Ministry’s presence in our community. For me, Bakken Oil Rush Ministry is a 'love stop' for anyone who comes through their doors.”

And the Emergency Management manager shares, “They have been there for . . . the community/county many, many times. I honestly do not know what we would do without this organization. When I have any kind of incident, they have always been there as soon as I make the call. Whether a family’s house burned to the ground . . . or when we had a tornado . . . we had 125 individuals or families who were either in a RV or FEMA trailer that got ripped apart where people literally had nothing. Or when we have had to decontaminate folks down to nothing and dispose of their clothing – The Bakken Oil Rush was always there to support those in need. No questions asked.”

We also partnered with a local realtor to provide winter gear for local school children whose families moved here unprepared for the harsh winters. We were awarded a grant that the realtor matched. Over 100 pieces of new winter wear were purchased and delivered to a local elementary school.

Finally, we remain incredibly grateful and honored for the continued investment in the ministry by the Dakotas Conference and numer-

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ous United Methodist Churches. Thank you for the miracle offering and Thanksgiving offering you collected in 2020. You bless us beyond measure with your faithful support. I believe God is glorified by your investment in the ministry. The people of Watford City are edified through your consistent giving and prayers. Thank you and God’s richest blessings to you.

Submitted by the Reverend Doctor Dwayne W. Keener, director, Bakken Oil Rush, Watford City Outreach—Watford City, N.D. 4.8.3 Open Door Community Center The Open Door Community Center is now in its third year as a stand-alone UMC mission based in the lower level of the McCabe United Methodist Church. The pre-school moved to its new location in August 2018 to reduce overhead costs and keep the mission afloat. The old location, which was owned by McCabe, was sold to the local United Way, and is used as a homeless shelter.

Currently, we have the maximum of 22 children enrolled in the pre-school. The location of McCabe is in central Bismarck and adjacent to the North Dakota capital complex. While children come from different areas, the central location does make dropping off and picking up children easier.

Due to COVID-19, we did have to cancel the preschool last spring and we did not resume operations until the late August. We now operate under a new set of rules and protocols to keep our staff and children healthy.

The Open Door Community Center was first established in 1976 to serve families with a special focus on assisting families in economic need. The Open Door is a Dakota’s Conference mission project of the United Methodist Church and is incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit. The Open Door is governed by a volunteer board of directors representing all four UMC churches in Mandan and Bismarck.

The mutual goal of Open Door and McCabe UMC is to provide preschoolers with a high quality, Christ-centered program. And at an affordable price. The staff is led by Jolene Puhalla, who has now served as the director for 30 years.

We hope that our many supporters throughout the conference continue to give to this mission. The tuition that we charge families covers only the salaries of the teachers, aides, cook and janitor. It is through donations that we can provide hot meals, snacks, educational materials and replace used and broken equipment and furniture.

Submitted by Steve Van Dyke, chair, Open Door Community Center 4.8.4 Solar Oven Partners As news began to air that a novel corona virus had emerged in China, Solar Oven Partners traveled with a team of 12 to the Dominican Republic to distribute ovens. The ovens that had been shipped the previous November remained in the port as our in-country director and the executive secretary of our denominational partner, the Dominican Evangelical Church, continued to negotiate with the customs authorities in a dispute over the tax-exempt status of our shipment. The team visited three communities on the western border with Haiti. Because we did not have the new shipment available to us, we distributed a limited number of ovens and took names of additional seminar participants who would receive their ovens once they were released. Though not what we wanted to do, this created a certain air of excitement as people cheered for each person whose name was drawn from a hat, indicating they would be one to take home an oven that day. Once the ovens were released, in-country Director Rev. Erasme Figaro worked with a small in-country team to assemble the ovens to be distributed and delivered them to everyone on the waiting list.

In March 2020, several cases of the newly named COVID-19 had turned up in the United States and the first death had been reported. One or two Italian tourists had tested positive in the Dominican Republic and were in isolation there. We did not understand how serious and far-reaching this would become, and in our blissful ignorance of things to come, headed to the Dominican Republic with another team of 12. As we were in our own little universe conducting solar cooking seminars, the world beyond us was changing. Three high school students on the team received word that school was going to be closed “for several days” upon their return. Our return flights were eerily empty. In the airports, many of the shops and restaurants were closed. Customs and immigration lines were unusually short. Upon arrival home, team members were variously made to quarantine, laid off from work or engaged in distance learning for college or high school.

Everything had changed. The scheduled trip in April to Sierra Leone to interview, hire and train a new in-country director there had to be cancelled. The May meetings with our Flagstaff, AZ partners, and leaders in the Navajo nation had to be cancelled. We would no longer be exhibiting our ministry at the General Conference session in Minneapolis because it, too, was cancelled. Our July mission to the Dominican Republic had to be cancelled. We could not allow teams to come to our workshops in the Dakotas.

While we could not do all those things, we focused instead on what we could do. We had our first virtual mission, through which team members learned more about the Dominican Republic through research and online connection with our partners there. The team went on to raise over $2,000 for food basket distributions in the communities where we have had oven distributions in the past. The testimonials from the Graners, missionaries in the Dominican Republic, and from in-country Director Figaro were moving. The food baskets were greatly needed as was a visit from church leadership to pray for people in isolated communities who were suffering acute deprivations.

Our board had contracted in 2019 with a sociologist in the Dominican Republic to conduct a survey of oven recipients. His report came out in the summer of 2020. The findings will guide our future distributions, both in terms of locations and structuring of the partnership with local communities. We learned a lot that will help us target the communities where solar cooking will be most readily adopted, where

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water and milk pasteurization is most needed and where cooking on firewood or charcoal is most prevalent.

In September, we moved our reflector workshop to the Open Heart United Methodist Church in Rapid City, SD. This creates more access for volunteers on the western side of the annual conference. It also positions us in a greater population center, within easy commuting distance of Storm Mountain Center and many attractions. The church is excited about hosting the workshop, and, when safe, your team of volunteers. They will offer fantastic hospitality.

We hope you will visit our newly re-built website at solarovenpartners.org. There you will be able to view our new vision, mission, and values statement along with loads of other information and inspirational stories. We pray for those donors who have not been able to donate during the pandemic, thank the donors who have been able to continue their contributions and are grateful to the Dakotas Annual Conference for their support of Solar Oven Partners and the other conference missions during this financially difficult year.

Submitted by Marj Evans-de-Carpio, director, Solar Oven Partners 4.8.5 Southeast Pierre Mission UMC and Community Center This year has been a challenge for many. Because of the pandemic we did close church at times. With our small membership and attendance, we were able to open with masks and social distancing. We averaged 14 on Sunday. The Leadership Team continues to lead worship on Sunday.

The Southeast Community Center (SECC), home of the Community Banquet has continued to serve the banquet as a take home meal every Thursday. Some of our banquet servers have chosen to not serve this past year due to age and health issues. We have been fortunate to only cancel one banquet. Our church group has been filling in with the cooking and the volunteers have done well. Meals are carried to the cars as they drive up. Most Thursday’s we serve 300 plus meals.

We have not had any children’s programs this year; we are looking forward to something this coming fall. We receive left over food from the school district and give it away to families in need. Our biggest mission this year has been feeding the hungry. We look forward to being able to open the dining room to everyone.

Submitted by Barb Lindbloom SEPMUMC Leadership Team; director SECC 4.8.6 Spirit Lake Ministry The Spirit Lake Ministry Center food pantry operates year-round for emergency needs. The food pantry meets the needs of more than 340 people per month on and around the Spirit Lake Nation. The food pantry depends on the funds from the Spirit Lake Ministry Center, donations from churches and individuals, and food drive items. Recipients of the food pantry receive more than just physical sustenance.

They are given the opportunity for prayer and fellowship. This helps grow the faith community of The United Methodist Church and the Journey @ Spirit Lake congregation here on the reservation. We depend on The Tribal Council, Tribal Social Services, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Dakota Prairie Community Action Organization, and local churches for referrals of persons in need.

The Spirit Lake Ministry provided Shoebox Christmas gifts for 2,510 children in poverty and need in 2020. The Pandemic really hurt the efforts of local churches as they were not able to meet in person to participate in this wonderful program. Unfortunately, we were not able to provide as many shoeboxes to the distribution points as usual. The Shoebox gifts were distributed to eight reservations in the Dakotas Conference and the Red Lake Reservation in MN. The gifts provide the children with the story of Jesus’ birth, warm hats, scarves, mittens/ gloves and fun toys. The gifts share the love of Jesus Christ and plant seeds of faith with the children who receive them. Shoebox Christmas gifts are donated by churches from around the country and within the Dakotas Conference.

The Community Children’s Fund provided emergency clothing and temporary housing for 78 children affected by life-changing events.

The Community Children’s Fund is used to purchase winter coats, hats, gloves, blankets, clothing, toys, and other items lost in fires or any other major event that occurs in the child’s life. We take items from the food pantry when available, but on most occasions must purchase these types of items. The program depends on funds from the Spirit Lake Ministry Center, churches, and individuals to help defray the cost.

2020, the year of Pandemic, saw a radical change in the way the Ministry and other churches performed services and other important faith-based programs.

Our Volunteer in Mission program was shutdown. For the first time in 13 years, we did not have volunteer teams working in our community. It is the first time in 13 years that teams have not shared the love of Jesus Christ with the children in our community. The basketball court was empty, the Christian Life Center was devoid of laughter and something as small as the slamming of the screen door on the bathhouse was unsettlingly quiet. The tools lay dormant on the shelves of the warehouse and the trucks and trailers remained in their parking spots. Roofs will continue to leak; some of our neighbors will continue to struggle to get in and out of their houses without the help of new wheelchair ramps and elders will go without much needed home improvements. Lifelong relationships were not forged as life stories were not shared over a sandwich and bottles of water. The sounds of Drum, Song and Jingle Dresses were silent. Team members did not hear the stories and history of the Dakota Peoples and their lives here on the Spirit Lake Nation. The learning and understanding our weekly Culture Night bring to the volunteer teams and members of our community did not happen. But what we weren’t able to do with the construction ministry, we made up for by going virtual. I know this sounds strange, but the ministry has reached more people in our

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community because we had to go virtual. Each Sunday, we recorded our message and sent it out on social media. There are now five families from our community receiving the message that have never worshipped with us on site. Where we normally have 50 children here for our Summer JAM program, we reached out to over 150 children. It was great fun as Libby and I videoed the weekly segment and delivered all the supplies needed to complete the experiments or crafts that went with the lesson. Sometimes, we felt like teenagers, ringing the door bell and running. This also gave us a chance to do visitation while maintaining physical distancing protocols while waving to the children and adults through the windows of the homes we visited. It was exciting to see the children getting excited about the upcoming videos, but what we really didn’t expect was the interest and excitement from the adults. A few of the adults who don’t have children wanted to be involved in the program as well. It’s been fun to see the videos and pictures of the interaction between the children and the adults as they completed their lessons, experiments and crafts together. This made such an impact on everyone, that we will be adding this to our worship once a month from now on.

We have our usual monthly family night using Facebook rooms. One of the most memorable was Virtual Bingo. We delivered the Bingo cards and enough snacks for the families and then went live on Facebook rooms to play. Instead of people picking their own prizes, we billed it as a Surprise Prize Bingo. Those prizes were delivered the next day and it was fun to see them as they learned what they had won. I think that was the most fun we had during a family night in some time.

The ministry provided new sewing machines to some of our congregation and they have made over 800 face masks to give to our congregation and the peoples of our community. We continue to provide a food pantry, energy grants and now, with distance learning, help with phone bills to keep the children connected to Wi-Fi. I feared how the loss of our summer mission and 75% or our annual income would impact the ongoing missions of justice and mercy administered by the Ministry. But most of all, I feared what the long-term impact would be for the understanding, fellowship and relationships grown in our community. I never dreamed we would grow during this pandemic. We are building a faith community that allows the local residents to regain trust and feel safe in the church and to bridge the gap of cultural differences. Our focus, is not on the differences, but on the similarities of our cultures, those being our faith and trust in God. The ministry provides a place for children and adults alike to come and feel safe in a loving, sharing community of faith.

Submitted by Mike and Libby Flowers, co-directors, Spirit Lake Ministry Center 4.8.7 Tree of Life Ministry This has been a Hallelujah year. Our moto this year was; Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together, for the good of those who love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

We are the working hands and feet of God to the Lakota Nation residing on the Rosebud Reservation serving body, mind, and soul with grace, hope and love.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe shut down; Due to COVID 19, March 15, 2020 we closed the Soup Kitchen, Thrift Store, and shut down construction projects, and VIM Ministry. We did not generate any revenue through Thrift Store or Dollar Store after March 15, 2020. We had one VIM visit in 2020. However through the power of prayer the hearts of the faithful Tree of Life Ministry has weathered the storm. The donations, and in-kind giving to the Ministry has been amazing.

April was a time when we had over half of our staff went on unemployment. Which was a financial bless to them, with the added stimulus benefits to the unemployed. We continued to provide food and community supports with strong local volunteerism. All services were provided outside in 9-to-99-degree weather.

May 25, 2020 a young man torched three buildings, one of which was the Soup Kitchen Wearhouse. The insurance deemed the building a total loss. However, the insurance payment for building coverage was enough to build a new 40X60 Soup Kitchen at a new site, with a drive through window and walk-up window. Inside we have a safety barrier for staff, we are able to seat 35-40. with the cooking capability to serve up to 400 to 500 meals a day with ease.

Our community has suffered greatly, we unlike South Dakota have been a closed shut down community, mandatory stay at home, online work, schooling, mask wearing, sanitizing and social distancing. Separated from family, friends and life. We have been very fortunate to have been allowed the privilege to service much needed community.

Every prayer and donation are vital to this ministry, thank you for your prayers, giving and love.

Submitted by Linda Garriott, executive director, Tree of Life Ministry 4.9 GENERATING MISSIONAL RESOURCES 4.9.1 Builders Club

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Builders Club is about doing ministry together to support the building projects of four churches each year through the donations of hundreds of individuals, organizations, and churches across the Dakotas. The goal is to help churches grow their current or new ministries to reach people in their communities by providing financial support for their building, remodel, or expansion projects. By receiving a Builders Club grant, church recipients can focus their time, energy, and gifts on their ministries, instead of worrying about raising the money to support their building project.

In 2020, over 400 individuals, organizations, and churches partnered together and provided nearly $40,000 to help fund churches in their building projects. The following churches have benefitted from the generosity of our members: Plankinton UMC is more than a place of worship; it is an integral part of the Plankinton, SD community, hosting many church and community activities. With the help of the Builders Club grant, they were able to begin updating their parking lot into a smooth and accommodating entry to a warm and welcoming community of faith.

Celebrate Grace, a Bismarck recovery ministry, and Legacy South, a new extension of Legacy UMC, have partnered together to help both of their ministries grow in Bismarck, ND. The Builders Club grant they received helped the ministries transform their shared building into a space that works for both Legacy South and Celebrate Grace.

Hilltop UMC’s mission in Sioux Falls, SD is all about connecting to Christ, equipping disciples, and unleashing to transform lives in faithful discipleship. The Builders Club funds were used to address significant issues in their basement, including replacing windows, installing new flooring, and fixing other problems caused by water damage.

The ministries through which the Evergreen UMC in Wahpeton, ND, serves God and others in their community continue to evolve and change. Still, they are committed to discovering the journey to which God is calling them. Through their Builders Club grant, the church could fix water damage caused to their roof, walls, and doors of their main building and chapel building.

If you would like to join Builders Club or apply for a Builders Club grant, please visit the Builders Club page on our website: www.dakotasumf.org or contact our office at 605-990-7790.

Submitted by Sheri Meister, president/CEO, Dakotas United Methodist Foundation 4.9.2 Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA) The role of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration is the oversight of the finances of the Dakotas Annual Conference. This includes recommending an annual budget to the Dakotas Annual Conference Session and setting policies and procedures for the stewardship and the use of funds raised through apportionments and other assets.

Several years ago, CCFA changed the apportionment formula. Instead of a complicated formula which took into account numerous factors, CCFA decided to simply make apportionments a percentage of general fund offerings received from each local church. At that time, the percentage was set at sixteen percent. A goal was stated to reduce that percentage at some point, but nothing had been done to actually achieve that goal since the percentage was set several years ago.

Now, steps have been taken. CCFA is recommending that the percentage be reduced to fifteen percent for the coming budget year. CCFA has also set a goal of reducing the percentage by one percent per year for the next five years, eventually resulting in an apportionment percentage of ten percent. This is in alignment with the Biblical concept of tithing and should ease the financial burden on many of our local churches. CCFA believes this goal can be achieved while still providing the money necessary to fund the goals of the conference.

The 2022 budget recommendation is before you. The CCFA believes these figures are reasonable and attainable. We have done our best to be good stewards of the funds entrusted to the Dakotas Annual Conference.

This is my first year as chair of CCFA. It was quite a year to begin. We had churches who were not holding in-person services. There has been and still is a lot of financial turmoil. There are fears of a drought. And, of course, there is the uncertainty about the future of our entire denomination.

Because it is my first year, I have relied on the conference staff and on the others on the CCFA. Fortunately for me and all the conference, these are awesome people. I want to especially thank Jeff Pospisil, JoAnn Schlimgen, and my predecessor as chair, Bob Ruedebusch. But really, every person on the CCFA has made valuable contributions. I told them at our last meeting that it was their job to make the chair look good, and they have done so.

Thank you for reading this report and for your prayerful consideration of the conference budget.

Submitted by Jeff Adel, chair, Dakotas Annual Conference Council on Finance and Administration 4.9.3 Dakotas United Methodist Foundation

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This past year held many unknowns, but one thing that remained constant was our churches and donors' generosity across the Dakotas Conference. Our growth has been tremendous in recent years as we continue to be an edge organization. In February 2021, we hit $38.4 million invested with the Foundation. This growth has allowed us to invest a significant amount back into the Dakotas United Methodist Conference to turn money into ministry.

We continue our management agreement with the Minnesota United Methodist Foundation. This collaboration has allowed us to streamline many efforts and provided growth for both Foundations.

Rural ministry has long been a part of the Dakotas United Methodist Conference story. In the past few years, we have begun to think creatively about how we can equip our churches and create a thriving rural ministry program throughout North and South Dakota. In 2020, we received a grant of $982,854 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church establish the Dakotas Connection Initiative. There are three primary components to the Dakotas Connection Initiative: Providing grants, training, and support for churches who are open to experimenting with team ministry; Resourcing larger churches that want to be a hub to connect with smaller churches through technology and training; Connecting rural church leaders—clergy and lay, at equipping events and networks to learn from one another. The Foundation has committed an additional $100,000 gift to this initiative.

Seminary Scholarships – The Foundation is committed to journeying with those God calls into pastoral ministry by providing scholarships for our seminary students. We believe that by investing in our new leaders, we are investing in The United Methodist Church's future in the Dakotas. In 2020, we awarded $66,600 to ten seminary students: Quaya Ackerman, Bryce Blank, Thanael Certa-Werner, Jason Christensen, Donald Dinger, Amber Laffey, Jason Martens, Teresa Person, Janson Steffan, and Teresa Whetsel. An additional $20,400 was awarded to assist our Dakotas Conference students in the Sioux Falls Seminary Kairos pilot program.

Breakthrough Ministry Grants provide seed money for churches who are finding new and innovative ways to do ministry and reach new people in their communities. In 2020, almost $50,000 was awarded to 30 churches that started or expanded 32 new ministries in the Dakotas. Because of these churches' vision, these new ministries have reached hundreds of individuals and families throughout our Conference.

Projects supported through Breakthrough Ministry grants include outreach ministries, church/school partnerships, young adult/campus ministries, and Culture of Call. If your church is exploring a new opportunity for ministry in your community, we encourage you to apply.

The application is posted online at www.dakotasumf.org. Application deadlines are January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31.

Camping has been a vital ministry to the Dakotas for many years. Throughout these years, the Foundation has been a partner in supporting and walking alongside this ministry. Last year, the Foundation proudly supported the camping program by underwriting an appeal that brought in over $76,000 to help close the deficit caused by the pandemic.

We are passionate about walking alongside you in growing your ministry. Endowments, investment accounts, legacy giving, stock gifts, or direct giving are a few of the many ways for churches and individuals to partner with the Foundation to support your ministry or church.

The Foundation also has many tools and resources available for churches to navigate stewardship and generosity within their congregation.

We would love to visit with your church community to discuss best practices in the areas of asset management, generosity and donor cultivation, or stewardship campaigns. We invite you to join us for our quarterly Financial Foundations webinars for a deeper dive into Church ministries' financial health.

2020 by the Numbers

6 new endowments totaling $244,151

4 new investments totaling $1.3 million

Total Distributions - $1,099,880 Thrive - $202,000 Group Endowments - $38,865 Named Endowments - $435,511 Giving Back Appeal – $39,000 Builders Club - $39,000 Passthroughs – $194,417 (Camp, Spirit Lake, Tree of Life, Solar Oven Partners, Bakken Oil Rush Ministry, Local Church, DWU) Individuals (includes Charitable Gift Annuities and Trusts) – $151,087

As we move forward into 2021, we are excited about the many new opportunities and creative ways to continue developing relationships, cultivating resources, and embracing ministry across the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences.

Submitted by Jeff Nelson, chair, Board of Directors and Sheri Meister, president/CEO, Dakotas United Methodist Foundation 4.9.4 Human Resources Committee The Human Resource (HR) committee continued to work with Jeff Pospisil, Rebecca Trefz and Bishop Ough to assure our staff was aligned properly within our mission. In our November meeting applications for Equitable Comp Grants and Emergency grants were presented by the District Superintendents, they were reviewed and approved. Staffing issues were discussed and approved as presented by Bishop Ough, Jeff and Rebecca. Pay increases for staff, District Superintendents and Executive Directors for 2022 were discussed. District Superintendents and Executive Directors will likely get no increase in salary per the formula. Staff would receive around a 1.2% cost of living increase per

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inflation for 2022. Discussion on Vacation Policy for both exempt and non-exempt staff was discussed. Motion was made, seconded and passed to, “To give all staff a one-time increase in the amount of vacation time they can carry over into the 2021 year with the assumption that it will be used in 2021. Exempt staff can carryover up to 40 hours. Nonexempt staff can carry over up to 120 hours. Bishop Ough presented a review of the Dakotas Conference staff. We remain focused on keeping our staff aligned as we move forward.

Submitted by Barry Whipkey, chair, Human Resources Committee 4.9.4 Board of Pensions

Board of Pensions of the Dakotas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, Inc. and South Dakota Annual Conference United Methodist Board of Pensions, Inc. The Dakotas Conference Board of Pensions (Board or BOP) administers the pension, health care and other benefit programs available to clergy and lay employees of United Methodist institutions (local churches, annual conference, and other UM related entities). The purpose of the Board is to wisely provide pension and health care benefits for its clergy, lay employees and their families so that they can more freely equip the local church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. (See Para. 639.1 in the 2016 Book of Discipline).

Major accomplishments over the last year include: continuation of Wespath HealthFlex Exchange for full time clergy and lay employees; continuation of Medicare Part B premium grants for surviving spouses as those rates continue to increase each year; continuation of premium grants for eligible retired clergy (Pre-65 and 65+) to assist with premiums in active and retiree health insurance; medical grants to eligible clergy for large out of pocket medical expenses; continuation of no apportionment dollars. Resolution was made to let full time clergy serving interim less than 12 months to opt out of health insurance coverage. However, churches will still be billed the HealthFlex Direct Bill. Gifts were given to Central Conference Pension Initiative and Alaska Missionary Conference for pension; to Camping Department and the Conference for their staff pension and health for 2021; and for clergy and family for Camping Retreat at one of our Camps up to 2 weeks. HealthFlex and Pension Rebates will be given to churches, clergy and lay employees that participated in HealthFlex and Pension. Adoption of new policy to begin in 2022 to include three-quarter time clergy in HealthFlex with options to Opt-Out for both full-time and three-quarter time clergy.

Funds set aside for HealthFlex Direct Bill transition grant for churches with three-quarter time clergy on health insurance beginning in 2022.

An Active Health Fund was set aside for future funding for health insurance in the midst of denominational uncertainty.

Clergy Medical Leave: Clergy members Glen Sayler and Robert Duemig are approved to continue medical leave and to receive Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) Disability Benefits for the conference year of July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022. Clergy members Howard Baird and Kevin Kloster are approved to continue medical leave for the conference year of July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022.

The Pre-82 (Past Service) Annuity Rate: The Board recommends that the 2022 Past Service Annuity Rate (effective 1/1/2022) be set at $770 for each year of pre-82 service in the Dakotas Conference. This is a 2.39% increase over 2021.

UPDATES ON THE HEALTHFLEX PROGRAM: HealthFlex is offered to Annual Conferences through Wespath. This plan is specifically designed for active and younger than age 65 retired United Methodist clergy and lay employees. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the health insurance carrier which administers the plan and processes claims. The HealthFlex insurance plan has strict guidelines regarding payment of premiums.

Beginning in 2019, we moved to Wespath HealthFlex Exchange giving active participants more coverage options. There are six plans to choose from along with dental and expanded vision coverage. The default plan for 2022 will be the C3000. The participant’s share calculations will no longer be based on participant’s total compensation. There will be a Premium Credit set for each type of coverage.

Beginning in 2022, HealthFlex coverage will include three-quarter time active clergy. All of the same options and premium credits will be available to these clergy as available to full time clergy. There will be the option for both three-quarter time and full-time clergy to Opt-Out as long as they qualify for one of the Opt-Out reasons. Please check with the Conference Benefits officer for clarification on the Opt-Out reasons.

For the Conference to have some perspective on the actual health insurance bill for our participants, the following numbers are the actual cost for each category of participant enrolled in HealthFlex Exchange for 2022: ACTIVES Single 2 Party Family H3000 Plan $7,992 $15,180 $20,772

H2000 Plan $9,168 $17,424 $23,844 H1500 Plan $10,116 $19,224 $26,316 C3000 Plan $9,048 $17,196 $23,532 C2000 Plan $10,392 $19,740 $27,012 B1000 Plan $10,824 $20,568 $28,140

Default plan –C3000 Plan The conference will provide a Premium Credit of the following:

Single Coverage $7,800 2 Party Coverage $14,808 Family Coverage $20,256

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Eligibility to participate is specified in the HealthFlex Plan Documents and Conference Policy.

Premiums will be paid in accordance with Conference policies regarding such payments (see Policy section of the 2021 Journal). For 2022, the annual Direct Bill to churches will be 75% of the total active 2021 C2000 HealthFlex premium.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE CONFERENCE HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN n. Surviving Spouses and their eligible dependent(s) (up to age 26 or as otherwise permitted under federal or state law) of a deceased active pastor or lay employee may remain eligible for coverage under the active health plan until the surviving spouse reaches age 65.

The Surviving Spouse’s cost will be 28% of the actual premium, whether single or 2 party or family and will be paid to the conference office, directly. In the event of remarriage of a surviving spouse, the Surviving Spouse and their dependent(s) shall no longer be eligible for coverage under the active health plan. This new policy is retroactively effective commencing January 1, 2021.

UPDATES ON VIA BENEFITS FOR RETIREES: The average HRA to a participant for 2020 was $3180. 61% of all our retiree HRA accounts had funds roll over from 2020. Of those accounts 74% rolled over a minimum of $1000.

UPDATE ON THE RETIREE HEALTH LIABILITY FUNDING PLAN AND NEW INFORMATION ON A RETIREE HEALTH FUNDING PLAN/HEALTH REIMBURSMENT ACCOUNTS: To fund the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) contributions, the Board uses funds accumulated in the Retiree Health Fund invested with Wespath as well as the Frank Lynch Trust and Georgia Lynch Trust invested in Union Bank. In 2019, all the stipulations within the Lynch Trusts were fulfilled to allow the funds to be transferred to the Retiree Health Fund. As of December 31, 2019, the Frank Lynch Trust was transferred to the Retiree Health Fund to bring that balance to $14,177,895. The Georgia Lynch Trust still needs to be transferred with a balance of $2,193,715 as pf 12/31/2020.

It is the policy of the Board to manage these funds like an endowment so that 4.5% of the average balance is made available for HRA’s. By managing the Retiree Health Fund in this manner, the Board intends to grow the balance of this fund as well as the amount contributed to HRA’s.

Regarding Corpus Amounts Endowment and Trust Fund: The corpus was established at $1,000,000 for the merged Dakotas Conference as of 1/1/1994. Additions since merger total $84,646.59.

The Corpus of the Endowment is $1,084,646.59, as of 12/31/20. The Corpus is not viewed as a “target balance.” It is the “foundation” of all Dakotas Pension and Health Plans and cannot be expended for any reason. The Board has adopted a strategy of “reserve savings” with accompanying policies endorsed by the Conference Council on Finance and Administration which will enable the Dakotas Conference to “weather” large increases in health insurance premiums, secure the Ministerial Pension Plan and the Pre-82 Plan, and provide funding for CRSP liabilities. Reports of the amount of this “reserve savings” and its use will be reported to the Annual Conference upon request.

Administration of all plans and work of the Board: The Board recommends that the following be authorized to sign necessary documents relative to the Dakotas Board of Pensions for 2021-2022: Board Chair, Conference Benefits Officer and Treasurer of the Board.

Pension Payments and Rental/Housing Allowance Resolution Relating to Rental/Housing Allowances for Active, Retired, Disabled, or Former Clergypersons of the Dakotas Conference The Dakotas Conference (the “Conference”) adopts the following resolutions relating to rental/housing allowances for active, retired, terminated, or disabled clergypersons of the Conference: WHEREAS, the religious denomination known as The United Methodist Church (the “Church”), of which this Conference is a part, has in the past functioned and continues to function through ministers of the gospel (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code section 107) who were or are duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of the Church (“Clergypersons”); WHEREAS, the practice of the Church and of this Conference was and is to provide active Clergypersons with a parsonage or a rental/ housing allowance as part of their gross compensation; WHEREAS, pensions or other amounts paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled Clergypersons are considered to be deferred compensation and are paid to active, retired, terminated, and disabled Clergypersons in consideration of previous active service; and WHEREAS, the Internal Revenue Service has recognized the Conference (or its predecessors) as an appropriate organization to designate a rental/housing allowance for Clergypersons who are or were members of this Conference and are eligible to receive such deferred compensation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: THAT an amount equal to 100% of the pension, severance, or disability payments received from plans authorized under The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (the “Discipline”), which includes all such payments from Wespath Benefits & Investments (“WBI”), during the calendar year 2022 by each active, retired, terminated, or disabled Clergyperson who is or was a member of the Conference, or its predecessors, be and hereby is designated as a rental/housing allowance for each such Clergyperson; and THAT the pension, severance, or disability payments to which this rental/housing allowance designation applies will be any pension, sever-

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ance, or disability payments from plans, annuities, or funds authorized under the Discipline, including such payments from Wespath (WBI) and from a commercial annuity company that provides an annuity arising from benefits accrued under a Wespath (WBI) plan, annuity, or fund authorized under the Discipline, that result from any service a Clergyperson rendered to this Conference or that an active, a retired, a terminated, or a disabled Clergyperson of this Conference rendered to any local church, annual conference of the Church, general agency of the Church, other institution of the Church, former denomination that is now a part of the Church, or any other employer that employed the Clergyperson to perform services related to the ministry of the Church, or its predecessors, and that elected to make contributions to, or accrue a benefit under, such a plan, annuity, or fund for such an active, a retired, a terminated, or a disabled Clergyperson’s pension, severance, or disability plan benefit as part of his or her gross compensation.

NOTE: The rental/housing allowance that may be excluded from a Clergyperson’s gross income in any year for federal (and, in most cases, state) income tax purposes is limited under Internal Revenue Code section 107(2), and regulations thereunder, to the least of: (a) the amount of the rental/housing allowance designated by the Clergyperson’s employer or other appropriate body of the Church (such as this Conference in the foregoing resolutions) for such year; (b) the amount actually expended by the Clergyperson to rent or provide a home in such year; or (c) the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances (such as a garage), plus the cost of utilities in such year. Each clergyperson or former clergyperson is urged to consult with his or her own tax advisor to determine what deferred compensation is eligible to be claimed as a housing allowance exclusion.

Dakotas Annual Conference 2021 Comprehensive Benefit Funding Plan Opinion and Summary may be found on the Dakotas Conference website.

Pensions & Health Actions of the 2021 Annual Conference The Budget: The Board recommends that the 2022 Board of Pensions Budget be adopted as proposed (detail outlined in the budget section of the JOURNAL) with the total apportionment request of $0 ELIGIBILITY FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE CONFERENCE HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN Beginning January 2022, HealthFlex coverage will include three-quarter time active clergy. All of the same options will be available to these clergy as available to full time clergy. There will be the option for both three-quarter time and full-time clergy to Opt-Out as long as they qualify for the Opt-Out reasons. Please check with the Conference Benefits officer for clarification on the Opt-Out reasons.

RESOLUTIONS RELATING TO RENTAL/HOUSING ALLOWANCES FOR RETIRED AND DISABLED CLERGYPERSONS are found in the pension report section of this Journal. The Board recommends adoption of these resolutions for calendar year 2022.

Submitted by Leana Stunes, Conference Benefits Officer 4.9.6 Conference Board of Trustees This report is being brought to the Conference, keeping in mind the three-fold ministry of the Conference Trustees to care for the property of the Conference, making it available for the agencies of the Conference, maintain the parsonages owned by the Conference, keeping in mind the needs of the families that live in the homes, and investing funds so that the proceeds can be used to fund several committee ministries.

Below is a report of the properties of the Dakotas Conference:

Property Storm Mountain Center (1) Lake Poinsett Camp (1) Wesley Acres Camp (1) Conference Center (2) Spirit Lake Nation

Date Acquired

Cost

1946 2/23/1970 4/14/2006

127,639 311,409

Insured Value 4,501,000 5,736,000 2,672,000 843,000 1,255,000

Responsible For Upkeep Camping Council SL Ministry

2020 Maint* 115,000 1,753 0

*Includes only the amount provided by Trustee Funds or Apportionments for maintenance.

1. $28,750 was transferred to each camp. The Camp & Retreat Ministry Council holds $28,750 in reserve for large and unexpected maintenance that require immediate attention.

2. Mostly just regular maintenance and repairs of the elevator and HVAC. The Leola farmland lease was renewed with the current renter for $100/acre for three years. Churches were notified and advised concerning the bankruptcy filing of the Boy Scouts to help protect their ministries in the event that sexual misconduct occurred within a church-sponsored group.

The Trustees have also prepared to fulfill their roll in the event that a church decides to disaffiliate. Dickinson Prairie Winds UMC is currently working through the disaffiliation process. Once the Board of Trustees confirms that all steps have been completed and all requirements of the agreement have been met, it will come before the Annual Conference for ratification.

Submitted by Jeff Pospisil, Board of Trustees

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Section 5: Agency and University Reports 5.1 Africa University The opportunity to update and thank the Dakotas Conference as a dedicated partner in ministry with Africa University is truly a joy.

Africa University is grateful to the local congregations of the Dakotas Conference for investing 100 percent of the asking to the Africa University Fund in 2020. Thank you for supporting the ministry of Africa University with such faithfulness and generosity. By sharing their blessings, especially in challenging times, Dakotas United Methodist congregations support Africa University’s growth and continental impact.

The multilayered impact of COVID-19 and the measures instituted to control the public health crisis it caused have brought about profound and lasting adjustments to how we live, work, serve and connect. For Africa University, these include: ·

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A shift to online-only teaching and learning from late March through December 2020. Online teaching and remote work required more equipment and training for faculty and staff as well as creative actions to ensure consistent internet access for the students, regardless of location. As the only university in Zimbabwe accredited to offer online degrees, Africa University had the infrastructure and expertise to transition smoothly and break new ground with competency-based student assessment tools.

Africa University is now ranked number one in Zimbabwe and 39th among the top 200 universities in Africa, having moved up 59 spots in 2020.

Gifts totaling more than $300,000 from across the United Methodist connection were designated for COVID-19 relief efforts. These second-mile gifts enabled Africa University to care for about 300 international students who were stranded on its campus between March and late July 2020 and extend assistance to students whose families were experiencing financial hardships.

Excellent student retention and modest enrollment growth, with a more than 99% uptake of online learning by students. More than 3,000 students enrolled for the 2020-2021 academic year—16% more than the previous year—with 2,395 studying full-time. Fiftyseven percent of full-time students were female and 24% were international.

Innovation, outreach, and service through: o The development and distribution of masks and hand sanitizer (of its own design/formulation), that have now been certified for commercial production. o The launch, via a web application, of farm to household delivery of fresh produce, meat, poultry, and milk products by the Africa University Dream Farm Trust. o Two student-led initiatives—"Feed a Family” and “Ben Hill UMC Women’s Residence Girl Child Support Program”— provided medical care, food, and school fees assistance to vulnerable families in the wider community. Campus and homebased students gave up meals, raised resources, procured supplies, and organized safe distribution to families.

The successful completion of two new buildings—the Highland Park UMC-funded student union facility and a dormitory for female students. A new solar farm powers the Highland Park women’s dormitory.

Africa University’s online campus is here to stay, thanks to infrastructure upgrades and the lessons learned while staying focused on its mission in 2020. Africa University is working to grow its pan-African presence and impact through new programs, partnerships, and an effective blend of in-person and online learning options.

Thank you, Dakotas United Methodists, for helping to prepare young leaders to be “an aroma that brings life” to a world that is crying out for justice, compassion, healing, and wholeness (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). Through your prayers and gifts, you participate in the efforts of the students, lecturers, and administrators to engage in disciple-making by example.

In a fragile and interconnected world and family of faith, your deep commitment, loving concern, and steadfast support matter greatly. The steadfast support of local churches for the Africa University Fund helps the institution to maintain its focus on equipping leaders to serve and transform communities.

By journeying alongside Africa University in ministry and mission, Dakotas United Methodists are the church in the world—seeding hope and sharing the love of Christ. You affirm that when we are all in it together, God’s grace is indeed sufficient. To God be the glory.

Submitted by James H. Salley, associate vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement Africa University Development Office 5.2 Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) Methodism’s founder John Wesley, while developing his ministry, was often forced to preach outdoors. According to Wikipedia, “…[H] e took the opportunities to preach wherever an assembly could be brought together…. Wesley continued for fifty years—entering churches when he was invited, and taking his stand in the fields, in halls, cottages, and chapels, when the churches would not receive him.” Much as Wesley’s outdoor impromptu services were this year at Dakota Wesleyan University has been a lesson in adaptability for faculty, staff, and students.

When DWU last reported to the Dakotas Annual Conference, faculty were teaching remotely, graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 were postponed and the look of the fall semester 2020 was uncertain. With creativity, perseverance, and a great deal of hard work by many, the faculty, staff, and students of DWU were able to resume in-person instruction in August. We are pleased to report that we have so far achieved our goal of keeping our campus community safe, while at the same time allowing for classes to resume, sports to be played and worship in many forms to be held. Many of our faculty and staff members have been vaccinated and we are optimistic that the summer and fall will see even more opportunities for resuming “normal” activities.

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Like John Wesley, we found a way to adapt. We continued to grant scholarships to students, maintain funding for faculty in religious studies, support campus ministry, assist Fusion United Methodist Church, and carry on with other endeavors.

Dakotas Annual Conference funding of $75,500 was provided, along with Dakota Wesleyan’s ongoing, significant financial commitment to United Methodist higher education. $205,500 in scholarships were exclusively dedicated to supporting United Methodist student leaders. $95,000 supported a full-time United Methodist faculty member in religion. This individual introduces all students to John Wesley through the general education program. $148,500 was provided to campus ministry. This commitment includes one full-time and one part-time campus pastor, as well as programming. Programming includes bringing national speakers to campus, supporting internship opportunities for students in ministry, and providing supplies for our justice ministries, bible studies, small groups, and mission trips. $25,000 of in-kind support was directed to the Fusion United Methodist Church. $4,000 funded the Elisha Project. These interns serve as key leaders in student ministry and have involvement with Fusion UMC and Mitchell FUMC to learn about vocational ministry.

Campus Ministry at DWU struggled this year in many of the same ways other congregations did. Moving worship online, holding meetings and pastoral care sessions via FaceTime, and moving away from live music were big transitions for us. It is difficult to tell what our active participation numbers were last year, and we will not know the true impacts we had on students until the pandemic is behind us.

Forty-two student leaders and five faculty, staff, and clergy mentors helped campus ministry though these past several months, engaging the campus and community with new ideas despite the challenging parameters under which we have worked. Many of these leaders have strong influences in other clubs and organizations, including residence life, choir, athletics, band, McGovern Engagement Group, and several others.

This academic year DWU campus ministry welcomed two Elisha interns, both seniors with connections to local United Methodist congregations. Lacey Wipf explored music ministry as worship leader at both DWU and Unite Church. Hannah Bowes worked in discipleship and preaching. Although neither intends to pursue ordained ministry at this time, both have developed skills that will help them serve as key lay members or church staff in the years to come.

Wipf, a December 2020 graduate, summed up her Elisha experience. “Having the privilege to be an Elisha Intern this past year has been even more rewarding than I imagined. Not only did I develop tremendously, but I was also able to help younger students on campus grow both in their faith and as leaders. I have had the honor to help many underclassmen realize the potential they have and to watch them learn the skills necessary to achieve it. I am very excited to keep an eye on DWU’s campus ministry and see just how incredible these students will grow to be.”

DWU’s Nonprofit Church Leadership program continues to be a success. The flexible, one-year program created to provide robust administrative and leadership competencies for ministry professionals will enter into the third year, third cohort this July with church leaders from around the Dakotas, Minnesota area. Interest from SD Synod, ELCA is continuing to increase as three Lutheran pastors participated in DWU’s program this past year. Additionally, Methodist ministry professionals from Oklahoma, Louisiana and Missouri will begin a second NPCL cohort this July.

In the area of new programs, Dakota Wesleyan is expanding its footprint bringing more on-site programming to additional South Dakota communities. Beginning in August 2021, Learn & Earn will deliver a unique model of higher education to students in Pierre and Sioux Falls. Learn & Earn puts students on the path to a professional career and an associate degree with the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree. With paid internships in the communities and an assigned coach to assist the student throughout the program, Learn & Earn graduates will be well qualified for professional entry-level jobs and will help to enhance the regional workforce.

2020 was a year of extraordinary need and extraordinary response. Churches, community agencies, health care organizations, food banks, student groups and families came together to offer a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on when the struggle was difficult and a way to assist those needed a little help along the way. The DWU community was no exception. For more than 135 years, Dakota Wesleyan University has demonstrated our values of learning, leadership, faith, and service, purposefully and authentically, in the classroom, the field, the community, and in our everyday lives. Students leave here well prepared to serve in many capacities—ministering, healing, teaching, comforting, leading—all within John Wesley’s Christ-centered model of uniting knowledge, reason, and faith in all that we do.

Despite the challenges of the past year, DWU continues to be a place where students can grow and apply their own innate strengths. By equipping our students with the skills, knowledge, and practices they need to enter fulfilling careers, adapt as needed, live meaningful lives and serve others, we continue the tradition of providing a place of learning and faith, where lives can be changed.

Submitted by Jan Larson, director of marketing and communication, Dakota Wesleyan University

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5.3 Drew University Theological School As with most other schools in the northeast of the U.S., Drew University evacuated its campus in early spring 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drew Theological School faculty and staff adapted to this challenge with resilience, compassion, and creativity. The Theological School faculty put their courses all online, led development workshops for faculty across the university, and, to accommodate our many international admits who would not be able to enter the United States for fall 2020, designed an asynchronous Master of Divinity program. As a result of this work, the Theological School welcomed 147 new students, its largest entering class in a decade, with an enrollment of 380 for the current academic year. Our chapel team has also led the way in creating online worship experiences that connect the Drew community now across the globe. All degree programs at the Theological School include interdisciplinary courses that demand out-ofthe-box thinking, apprenticeship training that addresses real-world issues, and modes of learning that promote adaptability and innovation.

Our MDiv and MATM degrees include a required gateway year, vocational pathways, and experiential learning that develops and deepens adaptive leadership skills. The curriculum features a team-designed and taught interdisciplinary sequence of core courses reflecting the integration of the theological disciplines and practices characteristic of the life of faith. The faculty have also articulated shared values that are infused across the teaching and learning at Drew: a commitment to anti-racism; gender and sexual-identity equality; eco-sustainability and environmental justice; and interfaith understanding and cooperation. Drew cultivates pastors, preachers, deacons, activists, teachers, and thought leaders who go all over the world to take their place as the next generation of faith leaders and change agents.

Submitted by Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre, Interim Dean 5.4 Duke Divinity School Edgardo Colón-Emeric, the Irene and William McCutchen Associate Professor of Reconciliation and Theology, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the Center for Reconciliation will become Dean of Duke Divinity School (DDS) July 1, 2021. Dean Gregory L. Jones will leave DDS to become president of Belmont University.

DDS announced a new hybrid version of its Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program that will give students the opportunity to earn the M.Div. degree without relocating to Durham, N.C. The hybrid learning curriculum combines remote coursework with week-long residential intensives, where students connect in-person. The first cohort will begin coursework in fall 2021.

DDS welcomed the largest incoming class in school history with 257 new students from 35 different states and seven countries, including China, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, South Korea, and the United States. Our Master of Arts in Christian Practice (28 students) and Doctor of Ministry (52 students) programs received record enrollments. The Master of Theology (13 students), Master of Theological Studies (34 students), and Doctor of Theology (6 students) had strong enrollment. Our new Certificate in Theology and Health Care will enroll 6 students, all of whom are TMC Fellows. Across all degree programs, 31 percent of the incoming class identified as a race/ethnicity other than white. Black students made up 21 percent of all students, Asian students, 5 percent; and American Indian students, 2 percent. 45 percent of students in the incoming class were female, and 55 percent were male. The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree program gained 113 new students. Students from minority groups comprised more than 25 percent of incoming M.Div. students, with black students making up 19 percent. Female students made up 46 percent of incoming M.Div. students, while males were 54 percent. There were 30 denominations represented in the M.Div. entering class, with 30 percent affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Nondenominational students made up 16 percent of the new M.Div. students; Baptists, 16 percent; and Anglican-Episcopalian, 9 percent.

2020 also witnessed an expansion of DDS’s partnerships, including the Kern Family Foundation partnership with the Office of Wesleyan Engagement to provide accelerated pathways for undergraduate students to pursue the Master of Divinity degree at Duke. DDS welcomed its first cohort of students at Martin Methodist College, taking classes at Duke. The Americas Initiative, a fellowship of organizations, scholars and practitioners convened by the Center for Reconciliation, is working on peacebuilding among Latin American and Latinx communities, particularly those of Indigenous and African descent. The five-year Black Pastoral Leadership Collaboration, begun in the fall of 2019 and jointly funded by DDS and the Provost’s Office, is working to harness the research and experiential wisdom of Black pastoral leaders nationally through a leadership school and practical theology archiving project.

DDS sought to reckon in deeper and broader ways with systemic racism and injustice, particularly in light of the overlapping pandemics of COVID-19, economic crisis, and mental health challenges, and the school sought opportunities to strengthen its partnership and racial justice work across Duke University. A Story Listening and Gathering project solicited past or present students, faculty, and staff to share stories of how race and racial discrimination affects daily life at DDS with a goal of understanding the experiences of the community and to inform the school’s broader anti-racism efforts. A new Race and the Professions Fellowship, in partnership with the Kenan Institute for Ethics, and the Churches Promoting Recovery Project, in partnership with the Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative, provided new opportunities for students to deepen their vocational formation and reimagine community transformation beyond campus.

DDS hired eight new faculty members in 2020. Peter Casarella is a Professor of Theology and has published widely on medieval Christian Neoplatonism, contemporary theological aesthetics, intercultural thought, and the Hispanic/Latino presence in the U.S. Catholic Church.

Sarah Barton is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Theological Ethics whose scholarly work is focused on theological ethics, with special attention to theological anthropology, disability, liturgy, and pastoral care. She has a joint faculty appointment as assistant professor of occupational therapy at Duke University Medical Center.

Quinton Dixie, Associate Research Professor of Church History and Black Church Studies, specializes in American religious history and has

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written on a wide range of topics, from the African American Civil Rights Movement to the history of Black Baptists in the U.S. Zebulon Highben is Associate Professor of the Practice of Church Music at Duke Divinity School and Director of Chapel Music at Duke University Chapel, and his research interests include hymnody, liturgy, music and exegesis, the musical heritage of the Reformation.

Alma Tinoco Ruiz is a Lecturer in Homiletics and Evangelism and Director of the Hispanic House of Studies. She a practical theologian whose work centers on the intersection of homiletics, pastoral care, and evangelism and she is a provisional elder in the United Methodist Church.

Janet Martin Soskice is the William K. Warren Distinguished Research Professor of Catholic Theology and for the past 30 years was on The Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. Her work lies at the intersection of Christian theology and philosophy.

Norbert Wilson is Professor of Food, Economics, and Community, and his research explores food issues such as access, choice, and food waste. He is an ordained vocational deacon in the Episcopal Church USA. Wylin D. Wilson is an Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics, and prior to joining the Duke faculty, she was on faculty at the Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics and was a senior fellow at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School. Her research focuses on religion, gender, and bioethics, including rural bioethics and Black Church studies.

Submitted by L. Gregory Jones, Dean of the Divinity School Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary For 168 years Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has been in service to the Church and the Methodist connection through the formation of Christian leaders in ordained and lay ministries. A result of the union of three historic institutions (Garrett Biblical Institute, Evangelical Theological Seminary, and the Chicago Training School), Garrett-Evangelical is in the center and at the heart of the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. One of the official 13 seminaries of the United Methodist Church, Garrett-Evangelical is perennially listed as one of the Seminaries that Change the World and boasts one of the finest theological faculties in the world. With a global student body, that also represents every region of the United States, Garrett-Evangelical is proud of its diverse and vibrant community of learning and of its enduring commitment to training skilled, bold, and articulate leaders who share the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Rooted in our Wesleyan, Methodist, and Evangelical United Brethren origins, today’s Garrett-Evangelical is also international and ecumenical in spirit and is committed to equipping students to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, to foster deep spirituality in the lives of the communities and persons they serve, to lead with cultural competence and commitment to racial equity and justice, and as agents of transformative change for the wellbeing of all persons and creation.

Garrett-Evangelical continues to offer a broad array of degree programs that equip students for leadership in congregations, healthcare settings, community organizing and public theology, counseling, and scholarship and teaching in the classic theological disciplines and practices. 57% of Garrett-Evangelical students pursue congregational leadership following graduation, and our pastoral care and counseling programs also increasingly attract a large portion of our student body.

This year Garrett-Evangelical also welcomed a new president. The Reverend Javier A. Viera, an elder in the New York Annual Conference, assumed the presidency on January 1, 2021 after having served six and half years as Dean of Drew University Theological School. Dr. Viera will also serve as professor of Education and Leadership. He succeeds Dr. Lallene Rector, who served as president for seven years, and after a year-long sabbatical she will return to her position on the seminary’s faculty as a professor of psychology and religion.

Garrett-Evangelical continues to extend its service to the church through its centers and institutes which are focused on equipping leaders with the resources necessary to thrive in ministry and public leadership, and on influencing the moral, theological, and ethical conversations in the public square. This year we launched the Institute for Ecological Regeneration which seeks to help churches and local communities address the global climate crisis with theological and ethical integrity and creativity. It joins the Styberg Preaching Institute, the Center for the Black Church Experience, the Stead Center for Ethics and Values, the Ruben P. Job Institute for Spiritual Formation, the HispanicLatinx Center, and the Asian/Asian-American Ministry Center as vital hubs of spiritual innovation and theological renewal for the good of the Church and the world.

Submitted by Rev. Dr. Javier Viera, president, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary 5.5 St. Paul School of Theology Saint Paul School of Theology, a seminary of the United Methodist Church, is committed to the formation of people for innovative, creative ministry. We are one institution, online and on-campus, in Kansas and Oklahoma.

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This past year, we have all faced new challenges amid these unsettled times. Saint Paul School of Theology began the 2020-2021 academic year offering students an online option for all courses. With many students choosing to attend class solely online, our Student Council created a monthly “Chat & Chew” where students, faculty, and staff come together to eat lunch and talk about life, seminary, and ministry. In addition, Rev. Rod Newman, our Oklahoma Campus Chapel Coordinator, crafts a weekly Community Prayer to provide encouragement and faithfulness as the school seeks to provide spiritual formation in new ways.

Kansas Campus Chapel Coordinator Dr. Casey Sigmon took worship to new technological levels by introducing our weekly online worship service via Zoom, bringing our separate campus chapel services together for one service where all are invited to create a sacred atmosphere from wherever they are. Along with our featured alumni worship preachers, the community was blessed this fall by the presence of Musician in Residence Hannah Rand, from The Many, who led the music each week for worship. In Spring 2020, Odell Talley, Director of Music for Swope Parkway United and organist for Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist, served as Musician in Residence. For those who cannot join us live, chapel recordings are available on the Saint Paul YouTube channel.

Saint Paul staff and faculty continue to contribute to the academy, church, and society. This year, we have added new adjunct professors, including Rev. Dr. Carol Cook-Moore and Rev. Dr. Tiffany Nagel Monroe both OKUMC, Rev. Dr. Robert Turner of Vernon Chapel AME, UMC Deaconess Cindy Johnson of Rio Grande Conference, Rev. Adam Hamilton, and Debi Nixon both of Church of the Resurrection, Rev. Chebon Kernell of the UMC Native American Comprehensive Plan, and Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches.

This year, we have faced several challenges that turned into opportunities for new recruiting spaces and partnerships to enhance students’ seminary experience. With the change from in-person to virtual events, Rev. Shannon Hancock, Director of Admissions and Communications, has expanded her reach to prospective students by participating as a virtual exhibitor at online conferences. Rev. Hancock engages with prospective students via apps such as Whova and HopIn to highlight Saint Paul’s unique course delivery system and formative community.

In February, Saint Paul held the 2021 Slater-Willson Lecture online featuring Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre. His lecture, “Why Do They Come?” explored the political, economic, and social causes of our current immigration crisis. Before the lecture, Rev. Dr. De La Torre participated in a student-led forum, entering a conversation centering around the practical aspects of ministry and immigration. Later in April, Saint Paul Evangelical Society, led by Dr. Hal Knight, hosted a lecture given by Dr. Sammy G. Alfaro, Associate Professor of Theology at Grand Canyon University and Pastor of Iglesia Nuevo Dia (New Day Church), on the “Pastoral Strategies for Ministering Among Latinx Immigrant Communities.” And for the first time, on May 22, Saint Paul held a virtual commencement celebration with videos, cap and gown photos, online congratulatory messages from friends and family, and a commencement address by Rev. Chebon Kernell. The class of 2021 had 22 graduates, including 16 Master of Divinity and 1 Doctor of Ministry graduates. Due to the pandemic, for safety concerns, Saint Paul has postponed our 60th Anniversary Celebration. However, we have rescheduled the event for Friday, October 22 and look forward to coming together as a community for a safe, in-person gathering.

For the 2020-2021 fiscal year, Saint Paul Course of Study (COS) School educated 255 individual students, 40 of which were new students, with a total registration of 520 classes and offering a total of 51 courses. Due to Covid-19, the school quickly pivoted its course offerings and delivered lessons in both asynchronous and synchronous online formats. In Winter 2019, Saint Paul began a hybrid (online and on-campus) schedule for six courses. Although for 2021, this went fully online, plans to increase the number of hybrid course offerings are in development.

Saint Paul Board of Trustees added three new members to their ranks: Bishop James D. Tindall, Sr., Pastor Emeritus at Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ Kansas City; Ms. Sharon Cleaver, Senior Director of Marketing, Communications, and PR for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City; and Mr. Rogers Strickland, Founder/CEO of Strickland Construction.

Through a Board initiative related to diversity and inclusion, Saint Paul created a working group on Native American theology and ministries comprised of Native theologians and church leaders. Their efforts are focused on how the church and academy can work together toward healing generational trauma related to the spread of Christianity and the genocide of Indigenous North Americans.

As we have happily reported in past years, Saint Paul is financially sound and operates with a balanced budget. The changes made these last years have established a solid financial foundation for years of sustainability. We continue to be grateful for donations from the community that provide technology, scholarships, and emergency assistance to students. Our significant investments in technology have recently allowed our staff, faculty, and students to transition to a fully hybrid educational delivery model providing a safe learning environment during the pandemic. Our faculty was uniquely adept at managing technology in the classroom before the pandemic, making the transition to all online courses a smooth process.

With the Board’s assistance, led by Board Chair Rev. Dr. Tex Sample, the seminary focuses on its mission. Our trustees work to continuously enhance and evaluate the strategic plans in place to guide us into the future. Perhaps most importantly, we have learned much and grown closer as a community due to the pandemic.

Saint Paul School of Theology is blessed to be your partner in ministry and help those seeking more to answer the call. We are a seminary that offers online and on-campus classes with a flexible schedule to help our students manage pastoral leadership demands in the 21st century. We are grateful for your support of our students and our seminary. May we continue to live into the call of Jesus Christ to be faithful witnesses for healing in these unsettled times and for generations to come.

President Neil Blair, Saint Paul trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and students thank you for your prayers and support.

Rev/Neil Blair, president, St. Paul School of Theology

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5.6 United Theological Seminary “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:19 It appears God is doing some new things at United Theological Seminary, even in the midst of health, racial, and political crises.

God is doing a new thing at United financially. United continues to make progress toward its goal of becoming debt-free by the Seminary’s 150th anniversary on October 11, 2021. Thanks to the faithfulness and generosity of alumni/ae and donors, less than $1 million remains of the original $4 million mortgage debt. After the mortgage is paid in full, the Seminary plans to convert those mortgage payments into money for student scholarships.

God is doing a new thing in enrollment. Over the last five years, United’s Doctor of Ministry program has grown by 48%, from 170 students in the 2016-17 academic year to 251 in 2020-21. In Fall 2021, Dr. Elvin Sadler, General Secretary of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, will become the Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies, upon the retirement of Dr. Harold Hudson who has been a vital leader at the Seminary for 17 years.

God is doing a new thing with partners in church renewal. In the 2020-21 academic year, United has partnered with Fresh Expressions US and the Mosaix Global Network to introduce two new Houses of Study. These houses oversee specialized tracks in the Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity programs. Rev. Dr. Michael Beck is director of the Fresh Expressions House of Studies, and Dr. Harry Li is director of the Mosaix House of Studies.

In collaboration with the Northwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church, United also introduced Rooted/Enraizados, a certificate program for coaches and mentors of Hispanic/Latino church planters. In 2020-21, the program served students from more than five annual conferences.

God is doing a new thing with the establishment of The Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center. Beginning in 2021, the Innovation Center honors the ministry of Bishop Bruce Ough by providing a hub of learning for church leaders seeking the framework, support, and courage to introduce the Gospel of Jesus Christ in new and creative ways. Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey joins United as the inaugural director of the Innovation Center.

United’s prayer is that United Methodists will perceive the new things that God is doing in our communities, congregations, and ministries as we strive to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Grace and peace, Dr. Kent Millard, president 5.7 Wesley Theological Seminary For the world, 2020 was a year like no other. In the midst of a global pandemic, plus resurgent racism, mass unemployment, and politically challenging times in the US, Wesley remained committed to fostering wisdom and courage, preparing graduates to lead innovative ministries while remaining grounded in our biblical and theological traditions for the sake of God’s inbreaking kingdom. The mode of educational delivery changed overnight, as we became an all-online seminary on March 15, 2020 and have remained so to keep students, faculty, staff, and all members of the Wesley community safe from COVID-19 exposure on campus. This is simply Wesley modelling what we teach our students: to be committed to our God-given mission while being innovative and responsive in the delivery of ministry. Here are some of the ways we are accomplishing that with our many partners in this mission, as we seek to faithfully minister to the world in the future.

Research projects support congregational community engagement and envision future ministry Wesley is pleased to announce new opportunities for UMC congregations to explore, clarify, and pursue thriving in their communities.

Through the Source Collaborative, Wesley will work with three cohorts of regional congregations in a two-year process of prayer, community engagement, congregational visioning, and coaching, with the goal of following Jesus in mission and ministry. Interested congregations can contact innovation@wesleyseminary.edu for more information. This work, funded by a $1 million Lilly Endowment, Inc, grant, raises Wesley’s role as a leading research and development seminary for the whole church and complements Wesley’s other Lilly Endowment-funded projects focused on congregational vitality.

The Religious Workforce Project is an expansive study of the current and future nature of religious work, particularly in local congregations, so as to understand what opportunities and constraints may exist in the future and to adapt resources and training accordingly. Through the Wesley Innovation Hub, the seminary has worked with 18 congregations in the greater Washington area to experiment with ministries with young adults outside the church. Together, these projects forge insight into future ministry and local church development, influencing the way students are trained in master’s, doctoral, and course of study education, but also informing workshops, podcasts, articles, and training for church leaders working in their communities across the country.

We invite you to discover the latest research and conversations generated by the Wesley community through our new web portal, #EngageInTheseTimes, at www.wesleyseminary.edu/#engage.

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Using research and partnerships to reach and equip the next generation of ministers Research shows that the primary way people learn about and begin to consider seminary options is through their pastor or an alumnus.

Whether you feel called or know someone who does, Wesley is ready to work with you as we make theological education more accessible and relevant to the realities of ministry today—for laity and clergy, for those seeking a degree or certification or continuing education, and for ministry from within or beyond the church.

Wesley offers an 81-hour Master of Divinity, a 36-hour Master of Arts, and a 60-hour Master of Theological Studies, any of which can be focused on specializations in public theology, urban ministry, arts and theology, missional church, children and youth ministry and advocacy, or African American church leadership.

For full-time students, we offer a modern and affordable residential community in the nation’s capital. Our Community Engagement Fellows program prepares students to engage in entrepreneurial, community-based ministry. Generous stipends are available for each Fellow while they complete their MDiv degree. Our 3+3 Fast Track BA/MDiv program with Shenandoah University allows students to complete both degrees in six years, entering ministry more quickly and with less debt.

For people with work, ministry, and family commitments, Wesley’s Master of Divinity degree can now be completed via online, weekend, short-term intensive, and weeknight courses in 5 years. Check out upcoming flexible course offerings for Summer and Fall 2021 at www. wesleyseminary.edu/admissions/try-a-class-3.

Wesley works with each student to make seminary affordable. Thanks to the consistent support of graduates, congregations, and friends, Wesley provides more than $2 million annually in scholarships. In addition to our regular merit awards, ranging from 25% to 100% tuition with stipends, Wesley has released special additional scholarships: full-tuition scholarships for people recommended by Wesley alumni, campus ministers, or Christian camping or service ministries who feel called to leadership in the church as it is becoming; Next Call in Ministry scholarships for students who have worked in a non-ministry setting for at least 10 years; and Generación Latinx Scholarships for emerging Latinx/Hispanic leaders for ministries both within and beyond the church.

Take your ministry to the next level In addition to full master’s degrees, Wesley offers graduate certificates for those preparing for specialized ministry! The new Certificate for Children and Youth Ministry and Advocacy (CYMA) is designed for people who work with and advocate for children and young people, whether in churches, schools, or non-profit organizations. The non-residential certificate can be completed in 12 to 15 months through online coursework and up to two residential sessions. For more information, visit www.wesleyseminary.edu/admissions/cyma-3. The Certificate in Faith and Public Life explores the foundations of public theology, religious freedom, and civil discourse through graduate courses. For more information, visit www.wesleyseminary.edu/ice/programs/public-theology/public-life/ Wesley is a leader in Doctor of Ministry programs in specialized tracks that can include international study. Wesley is pleased to announce three new Doctor of Ministry tracks for 2022: Ministry in a Digital Age, a timely new track exploring the new opportunities and challenges of online ministry; Justice, Compassion, and Witness in a Turbulent World, hosted in Cambridge, England; and a program focused on Latinx ministry. As well, new 2022 cohorts for our popular DMin areas of focus will be offered for Military Chaplains and CPE chaplains, our international mission-focused Global Church Leadership program, and Wesley’s premiere DMin program in innovative church administration “Church Leadership Excellence.” Find out more or apply at .

Enrich your congregational outreach and explore new dimensions of ministry The Lewis Center for Church Leadership continues to be on the leading edge of research for the local church. The Lewis Center’s Leading Ideas e-newsletter is the go-to source for over 20,000 people in ministry each week. Stay on top of their latest developments by subscribing to their podcast or newsletter at www.churchleadership.com. Also look for new practical online courses at www.lewisonlinelearning.org.

The Community Engagement Institute embraces a vibrant vision to be the premier center for churches and faith-based organization engaging their communities. The innovative online Health Minister Certificate Program prepares congregations for public health work in their parishes. Contact Dr. Tom Pruski at tpruski@wesleyseminary.edu for more information or to register for future certificate classes.

The Center for Public Theology equips pastors, seminarians, people of faith, and the media to create spaces for civil dialogue at the intersection of religion and politics. For more information, visit http://www.wesleyseminary.edu/ice/programs/public-theology/.

The Henry Luce III Center for the Arts and Religion works with students, religious communities, artists, and scholars exploring the intersection of the arts and theology. By engaging in innovative research, staging challenging exhibitions in our Dadian Gallery, and hosting visiting artists in our on-campus studio, the Luce Center seeks to promote dialogue and foster inspired creativity. For information on upcoming workshops and shows at the Dadian Gallery, visit www.luceartsandreligion.org.

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Faculty leading the way Our internationally regarded faculty are the heartbeat of transformative education at Wesley. Our faculty continue to advance theological scholarship with new research, publications, and courses. During this past year, we celebrated the ministries of retiring faculty member Dr. Sondra Wheeler. We also welcomed New Testament professor Dr. Laura C. Sweat Holmes to the Wesley community.

Stay connected Contact us at (202) 885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu about how Wesley’s degree programs can equip you for your next step in ministry.

Ready to join in our mission? Find out more about how you can be part of the future of Wesley at www.wesleyseminary.edu/support/. Join the Wesley Community online via Wesley’s social media, www.facebook.com/wesleyseminary, on Instagram @wesleyseminary, and on Twitter @WesTheoSem , or sign up for our electronic newsletter, eCalling, at www.wesleyseminary.edu/ecalling.

Submitted by Sheila George, director of Communications and Marketing

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