Responding to Harvey

UMCOR is currently working with disaster coordinators and early response teams to provide relief to the many victims of hurricane/tropical storm Harvey.

We will continue to update this page and UMCOR social media as we receive new information.

5 Things You Can Do

1.     Please continue to pray for those whose lives have been impacted by hurricane/tropical storm Harvey. Please also pray for the Early Response Teams, disaster coordinators, and many volunteers in The Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, Río Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church and Central Texas Conference who are working tirelessly to provide relief after Harvey.

2.     Make relief kits, send complete kits to UMCOR here, and click here for shipping label/packing list instructions.

3.     Give to UMCOR's relief and recovery efforts here

4.     Donate only those items requested.

5.     Please wait for an invitation to volunteer.

To keep relief supplies in stock, give to Material Resources Advance #901440.

Thank you for making Praying Our Way Forward a success!

Over 28 people submitted prayers, click here to read all of the prayers.  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were frequented by well over 1,000 visitors hourly. 

People were signed up to pray and were praying 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. 

Please continue to use the prayers that are posted and keep praying for our United Methodist Church.

Lead Expectantly—Sept. 22-23

Join us for the Lead Expectantly—the fall leadership event.  Come learn about “out of the box’’ innovations to lead in your church and community.  Please register by clicking here.

The event will be held at Pierre First UMC, 117 N Central, Pierre SD 57501, beginning with opening worship on Friday, September 22 at 1:30 p.m. and will conclude with closing worship at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, September 23.  Click here for more details.

Finance and stewardship workshops

The Dakotas Council of Finance & Administration, Dakotas United Methodist Foundation, and Sioux Falls First United Methodist Church invite you to attend a training at Winner UMC, September 16: Fargo First, September 30; Rapid City South Maple, October 19; Dakotas Conference Office in Mitchell, November 2. The training begins at 9 am and concludes by 1 pm. Lunch will be provided.  Topics included are: raising up generous givers, cultivating major donors and church finances in a digital age. This workshop is open to church treasurers and finance committee members as well as anyone interested in giving and stewardship. Lunch is provided.
Please register by emailing the Foundation office or calling 605-990-7790 so we know how many to plan for lunch.  

Celebrate the ministry of Scott Jensen at Storm Mountain Center Sept. 10

Scott Jensen, director at Storm Mountain Center, is retiring this fall, after 17 years of service to the camp and retreat ministries.  Please join us at Storm Mountain Center for a time of fellowship, sharing, worship and celebrating Scott’s ministry and leadership in the Dakotas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.  All are welcome!  Overnight accommodations available – please contact the site directly at 605-343-4391.
Sunday, September 10
4:00PM – 5:00PM – gather and fellowship
5:00PM – Program
Dinner to follow

Storm Mountain Center, 23740 Storm Mt. Road, Rapid City, SD 57702

Sign up for Exploration 2017

Do you know a young adult who is considering a call to ministry?  EXPLORATION is a three-day event for young adults age 18-26 to hear, discern, and respond to God’s call to ordained ministry and to explore their gifts for service as a deacon or elder in The United Methodist Church.  It will be held November 3-5, 2017 in Portland, Oregon.  The Dakotas Conference will be sponsoring a group of young adults. 

If you know of someone that would be a good fit let the Office of Leadership Development by e-mail or calling 605-990-7796.   Click here for more information.

Online auction for hunger

In 2016, we had the first online quilt auction.  We plan to have another online auction with quilts, gift packages (like weekend getaways), woodworking items, handcrafted items, October 1-8, 2017.
Please consider donating an item like a quilt, woodworking or gift package.  All items must be at the Dakotas Conference office by September 15, 2017. Fill out this form so we have information about your item for the auction.

If you have questions, contact JoAnn Schlimgen via e-mail here, or call (605) 990-7787.
Proceeds from the auction will support Dakotas Conference, UMCOR and global hunger projects.

UMCOR kit collection

Moving vans will be available at several locations (listed below) to accept your boxes of UMCOR kits.

UMCOR Kits can also be brought to the Conference Office in Mitchell by Sept. 29 and also to the Prairie Hills West Mission Event at Wall UMC on Oct. 1 and the Mission Fair at Southeast Pierre UMC on Sept. 16.
If you have questions, contact JoAnn Schlimgen via e-mail HERE, or call (605) 990-7787.

Fall mission events

The 2017 mission season kicks off on Saturday, September 16th at Southeast Pierre UMC with the Mission Fair, continues on Sept. 30th at Southern Hills UMC (Sioux Falls) with the Mission Cafe and Bakery, and wraps up on October 1 with Southwest District at Sturgis UMC.

Yoga retreat

Calling all yogis! Come and enjoy beautiful Storm Mountain Center at a Yoga Retreat on Sept. 22-24, 2017. Led by Colleen McKirdy, Registered Yoga Teacher, we will explore yoga poses and breathing, meditation, devotions, and prayer. Also, we will learn about yoga history and types, chakras, chanting, and body benefits. Hiking, games, and other activities will be included. No yoga experience necessary, just open hearts & minds!
Registration is from 4:00-5:00 pm on Friday, Sept. 22, and we will conclude after lunch on Sunday, Sept. 24. Cost is $130 for two nights lodging in Gist Lodge and six meals. Contact Colleen McKirdy via e-mail to register by Sept. 8.

Onida UMC has Sunday School materials to give away

Are you in need of some Sunday School curriculum? 

Onida UMC as The Gopsel Light available for preschool and elementary ages. The materials include dvd's.

Contact Lexi Heath by calling 605-280-7640 or send an e-mail to lexi@venturecomm.net.