In 1962, the congregation of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Sioux Falls moved into a new building and became the Church of the Holy Apostles. Years later, many refugee teen-age boys from South Sudan came to Sioux Falls to start a new life and were welcomed by the good people of Holy Apostles. Even more years later, these "Lost Boys" are now men, are married and have children, and also have grown into the leadership of Holy Apostles.
Weekly worship attendance for these Dinka-speaking families has been known to reach more than 300 people with nearly half being children! They sing and pray in Dinka and are active not only at Holy Apostles, but are also seen by the Midwest Sudanese as representing them and advocating for the Sudanese community over six states.
Currently, the Sudanese of Holy Apostles are fund-raising to repair their roof. They have currently raised $37,000 but still have around $38,000 to find so they can get their roof fixed before winter.
If this wasn't bad enough, sometime around this past Christmas, someone broke into the church and stole the copper pipes out of the walls and ceiling, causing more than $70,000 in damage. Of course, Church Insurance is paying for most of the work, but a deductible of $1,000 will need to be paid.
Archdeacon Paul Sneve is working with this Sudanese Congregation to help them as they reclaim their building. They currently have been welcomed by the Church of the Good Shepherd, Sioux Falls, where they have been worshiping, but they are anxious to move back into their building.
We are humbly asking for donations to help them achieve their goals. Donations are being accepted at the Diocesan Office or can been made online on the diocesan website (www.episcopalchurchsd.org: Click on DONATE on the purple bar below the photos, then go to “Give to Congregations and Mission.” Click on GIVE. Choose your amount, whether it is a one-time or recurring donation (if the latter, how frequently); and under “Please specify (required)” please enter “Holy Apostles, Sioux Falls.”
Your donation will truly assist the Sudanese repair their building and continue to be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ!