Wanted: Advent and Christmas photos

Advent and Christmas are a busy and festive time of the year in most churches. We are sharing photos of your programs, your decorated churches, and events. Please e-mail them to Doreen Gosmire or text them to 605-770-8540.  Make sure to provide the name of your church and a contact information. Video clips are also welcome.  Help us spread the story of the newborn Christ child through the eyes of your congregation.

See submitted photos and videos on our flickr.com album HERE.

Lilly Endowment awards $1 million to Dakotas-Minnesota Area

The Dakotas-Minnesota Area of The United Methodist Church has received a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The funding will be used to help pastors develop stronger financial literacy skills, reduce or eliminate personal debt, and become equipped to foster a theology of generosity within their congregations. The funding is part of Lilly Endowment’s initiative to address economic challenges facing pastoral leaders. Earlier this year, the Dakotas-Minnesota Area was invited to apply for a grant and, in March, received a $50,000 planning grant to conduct research and assess needs. Read more here.

Dare to Dream 2017 Lenten study

Are your goals too small? Are you living the “just get by” plan? Or is there a greater “God dream” for you that, if lived to the fullest, could permeate and inform every move you make?

Dare to Dream, by popular author and pastor Mike Slaughter, will be the 2017 Lenten study of the Dakotas Conference. The study will include a Ash Wednesday video message follwed each week by a video message from one of the Dakotas Conference cabinet members will be available for you to use.  Participants will learn how to develop a life mission statement that helps them fully commit to a God-directed lifestyle.

Click here to order Dare to Dream

Ministry Discernment Retreats

The Ministry Discernment Retreat is a one-day event, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CST) for those who are feeling CALLED to serve in ministry to others. The retreat is for anyone in the local church who would like to explore their calling. Participants will find where their gifts are best suited to serve the local church or to more intentionally serve beyond the churches four walls.  Here is a list of dates and places:

January 14, 2017--Aberdeen First, Grand Forks Wesley, Sioux Falls Asbury

January 21, 2017—Rapid City Canyon Lake

January 28, 2017—Valley City Epworth

February 4, 2017—Mitchell First, Pierre First, Bismarck Legacy

February 11, 2017—Fargo Flame of Faith, Aberdeen First

Click here to register

Dakotas Conference Office closed dates

The Dakotas Conference Office in Mitchell, SD will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, and Monday, January 2, 2017.

2017 advanced lay ministry courses

Everyone is invited to participate in the 2017 advanced lay ministry courses.
Click here for a detailed description of the courses.

Cost for each course is $30 payable by check to the following address: Dakotas Conference Office, Attn: Taya Swanson, PO Box 460, Mitchell, SD 57301. Dependent on the course, participants books will be mailed to you from the Dakotas Conference Office.  If you have questions or need more information contact Taya Swanson by e-mail or phone 605-990-7796.

Click here to register for a course

Go! Get 'em!

Jesus said, “Therefore GO and make disciples in all the nations...”

Go! Get 'em! is a free workshop for all churches in the Prairie Hills District  and beyond to learn how to develop an outreach plan that will reach new people with the love of God.
January 14  Canyon Lake UMC     9am-1pm  
January 21  Pierre First UMC         9 a.m.  - 1 p.m.

Each church will:
Receive demographics on their community
Identify needs of their community
Develop a plan to reach people in their community

Register number of people attending by emailing  Kevin Kloster one week before workshop.

Click HERE to download a pdf flyer to promote this event at your church.