The Dakotas Annual Conference is hosting fall gatherings for rural ministry churches in each of our four districts in the upcoming weeks. These gatherings are part of our million-dollar Dakotas Connection Initiative, a rural ministry grant from the Lilly Endowment. These gatherings are designed to connect laity and clergy from our rural churches so that we might encourage one another, be reminded of the importance of our mission in these communities, and think creatively about how to maximize our resource and our impact.

Topics include discussions on challenges facing rural churches, brainstorming activities about opportunities available in rural ministry, strategic planning resources, review of current cooperative models operating in the Conference, and a summary of planned Conference support tools funded by the Lilly Grant. All gatherings will include a rural ministry worship piece as well. View an agenda. 

Each session is scheduled for a four-hour period and will either include a lunch or refreshment period depending on the location and time. A list of the dates, times, and locations is included below.

There is no charge to attend. In fact, each church attending will receive several resources designed to spur on innovation in rural ministry and a stipend to help offset travel costs. Registration and attendance are required to receive these benefits. It is recommended that each church attending send a pastor and a lay leader to the event.

Please contact Al Roll at al.roll@dakotasumc.org with any questions you may have about the event. 

REGISTER HERE

DATES AND TIMES

Southwest District: Saturday, October 23, 2021, Murdo, SD,  9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. central time

Northwest District: Saturday, October 30, 2021, Washburn, ND, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. central time

Northeast District: Saturday, November 6, 2021,  Park River, ND, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. central time

Southeast District: Sunday, November 14, 2021, Iroquois, SD, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. central time