Four bus loads of United Methodist youth and their leaders descended upon Kansas City to participate in Urban Plunge. This mission experience, happened in groups at a food bank, a homeless shelter, a clothing thrift store, an outreach for at-risk teens, and an addiction recovery ministry. At each site, the teams of participants helped wherever they could with cleanup, home improvement projects, and just spending time with those in need of connection. Some participants even gave of their blood. Urban Plunge was followed by 177 youth and adults from across the Dakotas Conference participating in 'Love Well'—the theme for Youth 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri. Read more 

The second cohort group of the Non-Profit Church Leadership Program, launched at Dakota Wesleyan University on July 16. The program is for clergy across the Dakotas and the Minnesota Conferences, who are seeking to build upon their business skills and apply their new found knowledge to their local churches. Simultaneously, it was a day of celebration as the pilot cohort group earned their certificates and graduated from the one-year program. Completion of the program earns each pastor a graduate certificate in Non-Profit Church Leadership. This time of celebration and new beginnings is the result of a collaboration between Dakota Wesleyan, the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences, and the Lilly Grant Foundation that has been years in the making.  Read more
 

The first week-long Higher Ground Retreat was held in July. The 13 clergy participants, ranging from eight years’ experience to 40 years in the ministry, enjoyed delicious balanced meals, trails to hike and walk, free time to read, rest and journal, meet with a spiritual director, a mental health counselor, a physical wellness coach, and a financial counselor/planner. Read more 

The Dakotas United Methodist Foundation, led by Sheri Meister, president of the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation—a position she began five years ago, is launching a year-long pilot arrangement with the Minnesota United Methodist Foundation. As of July 1st, Meister has assumed an area-wide role in which she oversees both foundations simultaneously. Read more 
 

Rev. Seth LaBounty is one of 38 Dakotas-Minnesota clergy who last year received a $5,000 student debt-reduction grant—and it’s made a notable difference in helping him work toward his goal of becoming debt-free. Another round of grants was distributed this fall. Those who are eligible are active Area pastors with 10 years of ministry or less who have completed approved financial education in the last three years. The grants are made possible through a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. that was awarded to the Area in late 2016. Read more 

Since 2017, 35 churches have been experiencing changes to their children’s and youth ministry through participating in training provided by the Dakotas Conference and Stephanie Caro, Ministry Architects.  Teams from churches gather four times a year to learn from Caro and each other. Between each gathering, local congregations spend time planning and implementing ideas, receive individual coaching from Caro, and connect with other teams. Read more 

A tornado struck Sioux Falls, South Dakota, September 10, 2019, causing significant damage to around 37 buildings and power losses to thousands of households and businesses, officials said. On the heels of three tornadoes that hit Sioux Falls, torrential rain has caused massive flooding in many parts of South Dakota.The cities and surrounding areas of Mitchell, Madison, and Montrose were hit particularly hard by flooding. United Methodist stepped up to help those impacted by these natural disasters. Read more about the storm and how DWU students and United Methodists in the Dakotas responded. 
 

Dakotas United Methodists awarded 11 seminary students $90,200 in scholarship funding for this academic year.The award money is distributed from 21 different endowments and trusts which are managed by the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation. Read more 
 

United Methodist leaders from North and South Dakota explored the role of the church in a changing society at the 2019 Fall Leaders Event. What is the role of the church in our culture? Dr. Gary Goreham, professor of Sociology at North Dakota State University,  shared with Dakotas Conference leaders, ten megatrends and component parts that influence the role of the church in local communities.  Read more