WAGNER, SD, June 24, 2019—Held annually since 1870, the first being in Santee, Nebraska, the Niobrara Convocation draws together many of the 58 mission churches of the Niobrara Deanery of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota for business, fellowship, and worship during June 27-June 30th at the Wagner National Guard Armory. 7:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday will be Holy Eucharist and ending with hymn singing about 8:00 p.m. Registration begins Thursday, June 27th, at 1:00 p.m. Agendas will then be available at the Armory. Members’ families and various organizations will be providing meals.

Beside joint and separate meetings, the Episcopal Church Women, Brotherhood of St. Andrew, and the Brotherhood of Christian Unity (BCU) groups will sponsor meetings.

Not strictly an Episcopalian organization, the BCU was formed in Greenwood, SD, in 1873, out of a need to have worship from all denominational Christian groups. Three young men, David Tatiyopa (21), Felix Brunot (20), and Philip Deloria (19), founded the Wojo Okolakiciye, “The Planting Society,” which later became the BCU. (Information taken from “That They May Have Life,” by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve.) Any Christian is welcome to join BCU this Saturday, June 29, at 7:00 p.m., for worship and singing.

The outgoing Bishop, the Right Reverend John T. Tarrant, will lead his last Holy Eucharist service on Sunday, June 30, 10:00 a.m. The incoming Bishop-Elect, The Rev. Dr. Jonathan H. Folts, will be the preacher for that service. The Niobrara Circle and then lunch will end the four-day 147th Niobrara Convocation.

Santee-Yankton Mission which includes the churches of Our Blessed Redeemer and Our Most Merciful Savior in the Santee Reservation; and St. Philip the Deacon and Woniya Wakan (Holy Spirit) in the Yankton Reservation; and St. Paul’s Indian Mission, Sioux City, IA, are the hosts.