Pringle United Methodist Church located in southwest South Dakota. Photo by Bruce Blumer.

The United Methodist Church in Pringle, South Dakota, has an average weekly worship attendance of 25. The town, population 107, is in the state's southwest corner. When you include the entire surrounding rural area, the population is 225. This little church reaches out to feed people, body and soul, in amazing ways.

The United Methodist Church is the only church in town. People attend from several surrounding communities, including Custer, Hot Springs, the area by Crazy Horse Monument, and people who live on Argyle Road. Rev. John McKnight travels 68 miles one way to serve the church.

"I approached them one winter about starting church a little later. They didn't bat an eye and accommodated my request," said Pastor John.

It is a congregation ready to reach people in their community and beyond. Last summer, after encouragement from Michael Beck's teaching at the annual conference, Pastor John shared the idea of offering a dinner to people in the community.

"Until the meal, people were saying, 'This isn't going to work.' We had over 100 people come and share a meal with us," said Pastor John. "While people were telling me this isn't going to work, I was praying to God, please make this work. It was amazing."

Hundreds of food items were collected by members of Pringle UMC for the weekend backpack program in Hot Springs, S.D. Photo from Shutterstock.

A member of Pringle UMC brought to the attention of the congregation that items were needed at the food pantry in Hot Springs, South Dakota, for backpacks sent home with children each weekend. The church responded very generously.

"I thought that their generosity was great! I pushed them a little further. I heard about the Sioux Falls School District's challenges with kids being unable to pay for school lunches. I can't stand the thought of a child going hungry," Pastor John said.

Pringle United Methodist Church is in the Custer School District. A few children in the congregation attend school in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Pastor John shared the story of the Sioux Falls School District with his congregation and challenged them.

"I know there are kids in our area that could use support with meals," he said. "I challenged the congregation to think about that and pray about that throughout the season of Advent through Christmas Eve."

He kept the thought in front of them. "I was hoping we could raise $1,000 for each of the two school districts by Christmas Eve for kids that needed money for school lunch," said Pastor John McKnight.

The result was $4,000. "It enabled us to do more than we imagined. I was overwhelmed," said Pastor John. "I cannot believe this happened!"

The congregation is now thinking about another community meal, maybe a soup supper.

Pastor John states the Spirit is on the move. "The Pringle church is a hidden gem. It is a small church with an amazing spirit. They are always willing to try things. I give them ideas, and they make them happen. They do not stand down from any challenge that comes their way."
 

This is just one example of how congregations across the Dakotas responded to the 2023 Thanksgiving Offering: Five and Two. The offering invited all of us to live out the story of Jesus, taking five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000. Across the Dakotas, 55 congregations reported serving 121 different ways, reaching hundreds of people facing food insecurity.

Here are some things that were reported:  

• The youth at Murdo, South Dakota holding a Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat." Learn more.
• Watch a video about how White UMC and Pembina UMC live out the story. 
•  Hear how Highmore UMC and Murdo UMC are living out the story in this video report.
• Listen to how Madison UMC and Open Heart UMC live, feeding people and souls. 
•  Iroquois UMC and Bath UMC reported reaching those with insecurity in this video. 
• Flame of Faith UMC in West Fargo, North Dakota dedicated their Christmas Eve offering to Meals on Wheels and the backpack progam in their community.
• Highmore UMC's total collection of $2,250 was distibuted to the Nutrition Center in Highmore—$1,000, the local food pantry—$1,000, and $250 was given to The Banquet feeding program in Pierre, South Dakota.
• Broadland UMC in South Dakota distributed funds collected from a special offering to the Salavation Army for Christmas baskets that includes food items needed for a turkey holiday meal, and money to the local school for milk and lunch tickets.
• Grace UMC in Piedmont, South Dakota, gave 19 families a free hot turkey dinner feeding 68 adults and 58 children. The congregation also gave seven families Thanksgiving food boxes to prepare a special meal for 23 adults and 13 children. A special offering  of $135was gifted to the Piemont Falley Food bank. 
   

Here is a follow-up report from the 2019 Thanksgiving Offering to help support farmers and ranchers dealing with stressors and mental health issues. After a delay due to the pandemic and staff transitions, $24,700 was distributed to Farm Rescue. The gift will be part of the matching funds for Giving Hearts Day 2024. 

"This is a wonderful gift that will change the lives of many farm and ranch families in North and South Dakota going forward," said Tim Sullivan, Executive Director of Farm Rescue.