“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:4-8 (NIV) 

Discovering how each person fits into something bigger was at the heart of Winter Connection 2026, held January 30–31 at three churches across the Dakotas Conference: Bismarck McCabe, Sioux Falls First, and Rapid City Canyon Lake. Planned and led by the Dakotas Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM), the annual event gathered middle and high school students for a weekend of worship, service, fun, and meaningful connection. 

Students at the Sioux Falls location worshiping together.

Winter Connection is an opportunity for youth to gather, share, worship, and serve others alongside peers from across the conference. Each year, the event centers on a particular theme and scripture, paired with an intentional service component. The 2026 theme, “Functioning Parts,” focused on Romans 12:4–8 and invited youth to reflect on questions of calling and purpose: How can you serve? How can you use your hands, feet, gifts, and talents to share the Good News? Together, students explored what it means to be important, active parts of Christ’s body and how each person’s gifts help the whole body function. 

In a short but meaningful weekend, participants experienced what it looks like to live out their faith through action while being reminded that everyone has something valuable to offer. 

“Together we discussed how we are all a part of Christ’s body, but we each have our own gifts that contribute to spreading the gospel,” explained Noah Mutzenberger, vice chair of CCYM from Fargo N.D, who attended in Bismarck, N.D. “During bible study, through our activity “the human knot”, we explored in groups how each of us may be gifted in leadership, seeing things from a different perspective, being a good listener, and more.” 

Holding Winter Connection at regional sites helps reduce travel barriers and makes the event more accessible for churches across the conference. It also provides a meaningful entry point for youth and leaders to experience the strength of connectional ministry. 

“I think Winter Connection is important because it helps us to connect with youth in our ministry areas. To build relationships among the youth and churches is an important part of our United Methodist connection. Gathering together for worship, mission, food, and fellowship is important to youth ministry and to our conference youth ministry,” said Rev. Peggy Hanson, chair of CCYM from Madison S.D. 

Youth in Bismarck participating in a human knot challenge.

At the Bismarck site, McCabe United Methodist Church hosted 38 youth and adults for a weekend centered on service and teamwork. Worship featured music from McCabe’s praise band and a message from Pastor Rita Ennen of Dickinson United Methodist Church. Worship was followed by a Bible study led by CCYM youth Noah Mutzenberger that used hands-on activities and small group discussion to help participants explore their spiritual gifts and how God can use them in different ways. On Saturday morning, the group served together by making eleven tie blankets for Ministry on the Margins, an ecumenical ministry supporting people during times of transition. The weekend concluded with escape rooms at BreakoutND, where working through challenges together made the theme of Functioning Parts visible in real time. 

“Ending the weekend with an escape room activity was a cool opportunity, because it allowed youth to live into what we had talked about in terms of sharing themselves and their gifts as the body of Christ. Some students were naturally better at the word-related clues while others were good with numbers,” shared Rev. Bryce Blank, an adult member of CCYM from Valley City, N.D. 

In Sioux Falls, First United Methodist Church welcomed 29 youth and adults for a weekend of worship, service, and connection. Opening worship on Friday night was led by First UMC Youth director, Eric Fjerestad, and included interactive games that challenged participants to work together in different ways—sometimes communicating freely, sometimes with limited or no words—to reflect on how each person plays a unique role in the body of Christ. CCYM youth Ava Laffey and Elly Jans led Bible study later that evening, helping youth further explore the theme before the day concluded. On Saturday morning, participants baked cookies and bars and created thank-you cards before delivering 20 plates of treats to local businesses along Phillips Avenue, offering appreciation to workers who are often overlooked. The weekend concluded with ice skating at the Scheels Iceplex. 

"Winter Connection created opportunities to meet new people and see how they use their gifts," shared Ava Laffey, chair of CCYM from Parkston, S.D. "Our group this year was great and I loved watching how everyone interacted with each other in a positive way and shared God’s love!"

Hailey Lind, a youth participant, said, "The people who go to and put on Winter Connection are really nice. I think more people should go to Winter Connection. You realize how compatible you are with a lot of people and I made new friends, socialized, ate pizza, and we all bonded.” 

Attendees in Rapid City volunteered at Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

At the Rapid City site, Canyon Lake United Methodist Church hosted 23 participants. Despite weather-related challenges, Rev. Thanael Certa-Werner, who serves the Abundance Parish churches of Burke, Herrick, and Gregory, S.D., preached via Zoom on Friday night, encouraging youth to be intentional in their faith and to resist “spasming” — doing simply for the sake of doing — while instead waiting for God’s guidance. Rev. Paul Lint from Spearfish S.D. continued that message with a Saturday morning homily focused on waiting for God to reveal individual gifts. Participants then served at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, where they hauled, sorted, and smashed sinks in a high-energy project that quickly became a favorite. They wrapped up the weekend with time together at Jump-n-Slide Adventure Park, where youth and adults alike enjoyed shared laughter and connection. 

The event offered meaningful experiences not only for youth, but also for the adult leaders who accompany them in their journeys of faith. 

“I enjoy seeing other youth grow and develop their faith. It's like a family reunion that happens every other year. You see the change in the kids from other youth groups when we gather together as a whole. We can, of course, pause and reflect on this with our own kids too,” shared Rev. John Britt, from Piedmont, S.D. who attended the Rapid City location.  

As students and leaders departed from their respective sites, the message was clear: everyone has a role to play, and when each person shows up ready to serve, the body of Christ grows stronger. 

If you would like to be more involved in planning and leading events like Winter Connection, consider applying to be a part of CCYM! Applications for youth and adults are available here!