Gracias to all who participated in this special worship service, to the Board of Directors of the South Dakota UCC Conference, to the Steever family of Placerville UCC Camp, to the members of South Park and First Congregational Church Rapid City, the annual meeting planning committee: Rev Emily Munger, Rev Dustin Bartlett, Rev Joe Bair, Mr.Kerry Steever, Mrs. Kylie Steever-Laki.
A special thank you to the musical talents of the Red Sea Pedestrians: Kerry Steever, Sharla Steever, Charles Paulson, Rev. Matt Richards, Dom Laki, and Kylie Steever-Laki.
I’m honored and blessed to have my colleagues Rev Dr Dave Higgins, Conference Minister of Heartland Conference (OH/KY/WV) bringing us the message and Rev Rachael Pryor, Conference Minister for the So CA/NV Conference for presenting me with the symbol of CM office. My deepest gratitude for making out to Rapid City, SD.
To the staff of the South Dakota/TCM: Ms. Kim Springer, Executive Admin; Ms. Jane Estrada, Data Hub Specialist; Ms. Kailee Schwartz, Data Input Specialist; Ms. Tami Spindler, Communications Specialist; Ms. Susan Russell, Finance Director; Ms. Jill Korver, Finance Specialist; Rev. Kendy Miller, ACM; Rev. Corey Larson, ACM; Rev Jeff Hagaman, Lead Conference Deacon; Rev. Shonda Deranleau, Resource Deacon; Rev Emily Munger, SD Conference Deacon; Rev Lorah Houser Jankord, SD Conference Deacon; Mr. Kerry Steever, Placerville Camp Director. Your hard work and dedication to the churches of the South Dakota Conference are a blessing to us all. Thank you to the Rapid City Host Congregations: First Congregational and South Park UCC for your hospitality.
And most importantly to the member congregations, Associations and pastoral leaders of the South Dakota UCC Conference, Thank You for your warm welcome to me and your faithful commitment to bring the message of Hope, Faith, and Love from the United Church of Christ to the communities you serve. WE ARE THE CHURCH!
Bendiciones y Paz
Rev. Roberto