The Synod Assembly focused on Rural Ministry this year with the theme of Cultivate. There were roughly 400 attendees, most of them lay people representing their churches. All the pastors and seminary students in the Synod who are able to attend were there as well. The quality of the speakers is outstanding throughout the entire conference. The stories they shared were uplifting and inspirational at times, but relatable and humbling at others. So while the idea of being in services and meetings from 9am - 8pm on 6/2 was intimidating, the time went very quickly.
The work the Synod does is amazing and touches many lives. There are scholarships and grant programs for 0-3 year olds, school aged campers, and youth programs. But also resources for helping seminary students, funding churches with major projects, and supporting ministries in Cameroon and Nicaragua. The impact that the South Dakota Synod can have from combining the financial resources and skills from congregants and pastors across the state is astounding.
The biggest message I took from the weekend was that the most predictive indicator that an individual congregation is healthy and will continue to grow is its willingness to change. We can see that in our vibrant Sunday School, VBS, and Youth Group programs. We have kids who participate in these programs even if their parents aren’t members of our church or they don’t regularly attend services. Finding more ways that we can continue to reach out and meet the needs of the community around us, taking church to them wherever they are at, and inviting them to learn more about faith, will help us continue to grow as a congregation and as individuals as well.
Sadie Haugen - SYNOD Assembly Delegate
The work the Synod does is amazing and touches many lives. There are scholarships and grant programs for 0-3 year olds, school aged campers, and youth programs. But also resources for helping seminary students, funding churches with major projects, and supporting ministries in Cameroon and Nicaragua. The impact that the South Dakota Synod can have from combining the financial resources and skills from congregants and pastors across the state is astounding.
The biggest message I took from the weekend was that the most predictive indicator that an individual congregation is healthy and will continue to grow is its willingness to change. We can see that in our vibrant Sunday School, VBS, and Youth Group programs. We have kids who participate in these programs even if their parents aren’t members of our church or they don’t regularly attend services. Finding more ways that we can continue to reach out and meet the needs of the community around us, taking church to them wherever they are at, and inviting them to learn more about faith, will help us continue to grow as a congregation and as individuals as well.
Sadie Haugen - SYNOD Assembly Delegate
Helping Kids Round First Food Project
OSLC teamed up with Helping Kids Round First food project. In 2021, OSLC donated over $2,000 to HKRF, along with helping pack thousands of meals this fall! They were sent off to Nicaragua in December 2021.
