As Episcopalians, we believe that heeding Christ's call to discipleship requires that we strive to love our world as God does. We are called into a life of mission to our neighbors, whether they be right next door, in another part of our state or country, or on the other side of the world. Certainly, we are called because, through God's Grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, we witness to our experiences of the life-giving power of Christ's resurrection. But we also enter the world in mission and service as followers of Christ in the truest sense – more often than not, we do not serve in order to take Christ into the world, but rather to find humility as we discover that Christ has gone ahead of us and is already present in the actions, thoughts, lives, and stories of our neighbors.
In other words, we love, because He first loved us.
Below are a number of the ministries that the Episcopal Church in South Dakota, as a Diocese, supports. Beyond this list, individual congregations and missions also support a wide variety of local, national, and international ministries. If you are interested in the work of a particular congregation or mission in the Diocese of South Dakota, you can find a list of the appropriate contacts here. Some of these congregations and missions have their own websites that detail the work to which they have committed themselves.
Episcopal Relief and Development
Living our faith for a better world
Working in partnership with the worldwide Church, ecumenical agencies and local organizations, Episcopal Relief & Development saves lives and strengthens communities around the world. Our programs work toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals, which aimed to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015 and continues to work toward this purpose.
ERD's programs focus on the following areas:
Alleviating Hunger and Improving Food Supply
Creating Economic Opportunities and Strengthening Communities
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
Responding to Disasters and Rebuilding Communities
Creation Care Network
The Creation Care Network is an informal group of about a dozen Parishes and Missions in the Diocese. Our main goal is to have a “communion” of Creation Care events across the State on Earth Day Sunday, but there are several other good, upcoming opportunities to awaken congregations to a Creation Care ethic.
We are seeking individuals who identify with this mission, who are interested in learning more, and who would consider working to integrate the Creation Care perspective into expressions of religious life at your church through education, reflection and action.