Grantee Directory

The South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will support the learning and leadership of ordained ministers, emerging lay leaders, and the people in their congregations with virtual and embodied accompaniment through the Journeying Together in Christ initiative. First, the SD Synod will leverage robust digital technologies to bridge the geographical barriers that rural and frontier congregations face. This work is both urgent and timely. During the past two years, South Dakota has connected more than 26,000 homes, businesses, ranches, and farms to high-speed broadband through both public and private efforts. This increase in connectivity includes our rural and frontier churches, who now have greater access to the critical infrastructure necessary to support their learning and connecting with digital technologies. Through this project, we intend to support the creation of a digital learning community. Second, we will work with congregations and their leaders to recognize and overcome the urban-rural cultural divide that often disrupts the ministry of rural and frontier churches in the communities that they serve. In conversation with neighboring synods, the wider ELCA, and other ecumenical partners, we are discovering new ways to bridge this divide. Specifically, we will nourish immersive learning experiences ideally suited to this purpose. Grant funding will be used for two complementary rural immersion ministries: bringing leaders to South Dakota’s frontier churches in transition to develop deep relationships while identifying potential local lay leadership and second, to immerse seminary students within thriving rural congregations so that they can experience a deep dive into the joy-filled waters of rural parish life. We are confident that virtual and embodied accompaniment through the Community Hub and Rural Immersion Ministries will help congregations serving in South Dakota’s rural and frontier communities to thrive!