August 30, 2021

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,
    the world and its inhabitants too.
² Because God is the one who established it on the seas;
    God set it firmly on the waters. (Psalm 24:1-2)

When the idea of a Bishop’s Dakotas Summer Road Trip was suggested last spring, I was ready to pack my bags and head north! It has been a great joy to come alongside the Dakotas Annual Conference and provide episcopal leadership during 2021. Decades have passed since my first trip to the Dakotas with my family as a 7^th grader. Wall Drug and Mount Rushmore were indelibly imprinted on my mind! This time I was eager to visit local churches, meet with clergy, and do a bit of hiking. Because of COVID-19, the time didn’t seem right until mid-August. We were aware of the Delta variant and took strict precautions to ensure the safety of everyone.

Why a Dakotas road trip? Let me count the ways.

· Knowing where our churches are located and understanding how United Methodists live, work, and worship is important.

· There is no substitute for interacting with clergy and laity in person. I’ve had more Zoom meetings in the first eight months of 2021 than I could have ever imagined! Seeing people on a screen is clearly not the same as being with them in person, but technology is truly a miracle. When I finally met our four district superintendents in person in June, my heart was overflowing with joy.

· Over the course of ten days, I met with nine different groups of clergy for worship, prayer, and holy conversation. I also met many other Dakotas clergy as we visited local congregations every day and on Sunday for worship. My sense is that after a year and a half of virtual isolation, our clergy were grateful for the opportunity to be with their colleagues in person and offer mutual support and encouragement.

· I was struck by the strong and wonderful interconnectedness among clergy in our meetings. As one pastor put it, “We are one family at a long table.” 

Click the image to watch Bishop Laurie on the Wesley Acres zip line.

Geography matters. We were able to take a number of hikes during the road trip and experienced mountains; prairies; all kinds of wildlife; endless fields of corn, soybeans, and spring wheat; and the mysterious and barren Badlands. The joy of connecting with God through nature kept a perpetual smile on my face.

·  Dakota is a Native American Sioux word that can be roughly translated as “friendly” or “allies.” I found everyone I met in the Dakotas to be outgoing, helpful, and positive.

· Drought in both North and South Dakota has deepened throughout the summer. According to the Bismarck, North Dakota Tribune, “Lack of rainfall and an abundance of excessive heat have plagued North Dakota this summer. New climate statistics from the National Weather Service show that last month was the second-warmest July in Bismarck since 1874 - a span of nearly 150 years.” I was amazed at the ways in which farmers and ranchers are adapting to our changing climate.

· A special joy was spending time at each of our three United Methodist camps: Lake Poinsett, Wesley Acres, and Storm Mountain. There’s nothing like a boat ride across Lake Poinsett as the sun sets, riding the zip line across a river at Wesley Acres, and hiking the trails of Storm Mountain. 
· Being a pastor in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic is no easy task. We had honest discussions about how to lead in such a time as this and how to make difficult decisions when congregations are divided around COVID protocols. I thank God for our clergy commitment to putting safety first and am proud of the creative ways in which they are reaching out to others with the good news of Jesus in this challenging time. I also strongly encouraged our clergy to take adequate time away to rest and renew their spirits.

· Almost four months ago, my husband Gary (my tireless driver!) and I brought a young woman from Nepal to live with us in Des Moines. Aabiskar Sharma has been taking online classes at Des Moines Community College and was accepted in early August to our United Methodist-related Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa. Aabiskar accompanied us on the Dakotas road trip, which was an incredible experience for her. Gary and I are deeply grateful for your warm welcome of Aabiskar. Her heart was warmed on August 15 when she professed her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at Waukee United Methodist Church in Iowa. Aabiskar is now an official United Methodist!

In the midst of so much that is unknown, I give thanks for each one of you; for your faith in Jesus Christ, the Waymaker; for your participation in the life of the church; and for all of the ways in which the gospel is proclaimed, grace is extended, love is spoken, and hope is embraced. You are now entering your mission field!

Blessings,
Bishop Laurie