By Rev Roberto Ochoa
Finally, siblings, farewell. Be restored; listen to my appeal; agree with one another; live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. (2 Corinthians 13:11-13)
Pentecost greetings to you my friends from the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences and beyond. It is my prayer that the blessings of God through the love of Jesus Christ and the comfort and wisdom of the Holy Spirit be upon you, yours, and ministries.
As I reflect these past few weeks, I am reminded how the Holy Spirit motivates us in our faith to act out in the love of God to our neighbor and because of that I am so excited for the plans of the upcoming Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) to be held at First Congregational UCC, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, September 17-19, 2026. Our theme this year is “Living Together as Neighbors in Christ” based on Jesus’ greatest commandment to his followers in Matthew 22:37-40.
I am especially pleased to announce that the keynote speaker and preacher for JAM will be the recently elected Associate General Minister for the Love of Church of the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ, the Rev Jennifer Sowell. Her extensive ministry in small town, rural, and urban settings and her love of the local church, made her the ideal candidate as AGM. Rev Jennifer has stated how excited she is to join us in Sioux Falls this September and I have assured her of a warm welcome from us.
Also, the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences will be welcoming the Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray, Director for Justice and Advocacy, Disciples of Christ Home Missions to help lead the Confirmand Youth Rally with the amazing music of the ever-popular Red Sea Pedestrians from Placerville, South Dakota. This youth rally is especially geared to celebrate our recent and currently enrolled UCC Confirmands and have them meet other youths throughout the UCC conferences for a time of fellowship, worship, and play.
Believing the Church is a family affair, the JAM planning team is working with Sioux Falls’ Chamber of Commerce’s Experience Sioux Falls, which provides information on family friendly events and sights happening in Sioux Falls. More information will be forthcoming.
Considering everything that is happening in our communities, nation, and the world, it is my hope that we can take this moment to come together as UCC’ers to affirm our Love of God and support each other as neighbors in Christ through worship, prayer, workshops, and awesome fellowship. Come and join the South Dakota Nebraska Iowa Conferences of the United Church of Christ in our mission of spreading the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ. Where no matter where you are in your journey in Christ, the UCC will seek to find a place for you and where you are welcomed.
Early discounted registration is scheduled to open on June 15th.
In the Spirit of the Holy Trinity: Feel the Spirit, Be the Spirit, Act the Spirit! The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Bendiciones y Paz,
Rev Roberto