First and second mile giving fuels ministry in the Dakotas
Seventeen people were batpized at the barbecue held by Mission Fargo. Photo courtesy of Mission Fargo.
In 2019, United Methodists across North and South Dakota launched new church starts at Fargo, Spirit Lake, and Bismarck. Many were called to vibrant ministry opportunities to grow in love of God and neighbor, reach new people, and heal a broken world. Take a look at all we accomplished together here.
First and second mile giving are fuel for ministry. These gifts enable us to share the concerns of many people and make disciples.
First mile giving deadline is near
The first mile, or priority, giving is for the local church to fulfill their commitment to the World Service Fund, Conference benevolences, and other apportioned funds.
One of the unique and defining factors of the United Methodist Church is that we are connectional. One way we show this connection is through apportioned giving.
Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNews.
Apportioned giving is a term that describes how the money you give to your church each week is divided and distributed throughout the United Methodist Church. Through you and your support of apportioned giving, we can participate in the ministry and mission of the United Methodist Church both locally and around the world.
When we work together as God’s children and pool our giving, we can see the word ‘apportionment’ not as a constricting budget item but as a vehicle bringing God’s grace into our churches, our conference, and beyond.
When you give to your local United Methodist Church, your giving is divided into many pieces and travels to many different places. It generally goes to support three significant areas: your church, the General and Jurisdictional Church Funds, and the ministries of the Dakotas Conference.
Check out the video resource below to use in your local congregation.
There is still time to become a 100% church. Be sure to mail in all your 2019 apportionments by January 10, 2020. Any payments received after this date will count towards 2020 apportionments. As a reminder, the apportionment payment address is Dakotas Conference, PO Box 460, Mitchell, SD 57301-0460.
Fall second-mile giving
Second mile giving is an exciting and significant element of the stewardship program within our connectional system at both the General Church and Conference levels. One official program within The United Methodist Church is The Advance. In 1948, The General Conference launched The Advance as a call to Christians to help rebuild a world shattered by the ashes, rubble, and devastation of World War II.
Loading UMCOR kits to be delivered to the UMCOR depot west. File photo.
United Methodists throughout the Dakotas extended second-mile generosity through fall mission events and kits collected for the United Methodist Committee on Relief—UMCOR, in September and October. Congregations and individuals gave a total of $134,000; $33,000 in cash, and mission kits valued at $101,000.
The 2019 growing season brought an unprecedented number of stressors that impacted farmers and ranchers and those that support the agricultural industry.
Congregations across North and South Dakota were asked to take a special offering during the Thanksgiving season for farmers and ranchers in our rural communities. The funds will provide a resource for clergy as they refer someone in need, partnering with Lutheran Social Services in North Dakota and Avera Behavioral Health in South Dakota.
To date, $9,000 has been collected for the fund to assist farmers and ranchers. The United Methodist Church in Cando, North Dakota, with an average worship attendance of 58, sent a notable gift of $1,036. Donations for this appeal are still being accepted and can be mailed to: Dakotas Conference, PO Box 460, Mitchell, SD 57301-0460, or made online here.
