Photo: Helen Vogt, Aberdeen Highland UMC receives the Harry Denman Evangelism Award from Bishop Ough during the 23rd session of the Dakotas Annual Conference held in Sioux Falls. Photo by jlynn studios.

The Dakotas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church and The Foundation for Evangelism presented the 2016 Harry Denman Evangelism Award to Helen Vogt from Aberdeen North Highland UMC at the 23rd session of the Dakotas Annual Conference on June 9.

Helen has been a Methodist since her youth and came to North Highland UMC in Aberdeen from Hennepin Avenue UMC (MN) over 30 years ago. If there is anyone who personifies the United Methodist’s tag line of: Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors, it is Helen. Her approach to evangelism is strongly rooted in Imago Dei and never judgment or assumption. She is gifted at re-framing responses and finding examples to assist another to realize that they have experienced God’s Spirit of presence, grace and guidance, even though they could not, or did not name it as such. By this approach, others are awakened to the realization that the Spirit of the Living Christ has been there all along, and now a process of transformation can begin. She is doggedly affirmative in all ways of sharing the good news.

Helen not only speaks out to remind others of the importance of hospitality to strangers and others, but also by example. She led the local church through a process of being an official Welcoming Congregation.

If there is an outreach or mission project sponsored in any way by North Highland, Helen is actively taking part and doing her best to make sure all persons feel valued and welcomed. She is currently serving a fairly long term as Lay Leader, and has been active in many facets of education within the church.

"Thanks to her, we perhaps have the most up-to-date website in the Conference," said Pastor Lou Whitmer, Aberdeen North Highland UMC.

Helen is extremely well-read on matters of theology, history and politics, and stays up-to-date on United Methodist news and concerns worldwide. She has attended several spiritual academies and is a certified Lay Servant here in the Dakotas Conference.

"Helen would be the least likely to call herself an evangelist, yet the core of her life, actions and responses are centered in genuinely living out and sharing the good news to, and for all, in word and in action," said Whitmer.