"As resurrection people—people who know that God can and does work through even the darkest most hopeless situations to bring about good—we can have a faith and a defining story that helps us do this—especially when we look in the right direction."  Rev. Rebecca Trefz.

Rev. Rebecca Trefz currently serves as the executive director of ministries and the interim district superintendent for the Southwest Director for the Dakotas Conference. On July 1, 2020, she will begin an appointment as the Southeast District Superintendent. Read the full pastoral message here.  Learn more about Rev. Rebecca Trefz here.

Pray with us | April 21-27
    Blessing for our leaders offering words of assurance, especially these leaders, in your name we pray.  

Non Profit Church Leadership Certificate Program | Applications due May 15
     As pastoral leaders you are navigating unchartered waters, learning new and virtual ways of being church for your congregations and your community. We recognize that your own professional development may be focused on leading differently today. However, you still need the competencies provided through the Nonprofit Church Leadership certificate program as we move through and past the impact COVID-19 will have on our individual and collective lives. More than ever we encourage you to strongly consider applying for the NPCL as part of your essential leadership development. Read about the  three adjustments we have made to the NPCL to give you time and space to pursue this opportunity. Read about two leaders experience here. Read how the program is making a difference for leaders and their congregations in  the impact statement from Dakota Weselyan University here.  The application deadline has been moved to May 15, apply here.

Recovery Summit webinar | April 22
     Recovery congregations in Bismarck, North Dakota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Rapid City, South Dakota are seeing significant growth and experiencing vitality. Is it time for you to consider this powerful spiritual dynamic  of recovery ministry as fuel to start a new congregation?  Join the Dakotas-Minnesota Area Recovery Summit, a 90-minute webinar, featuring Brad Herman and Chris Chase. The two leaders of new church starts, will share their journey to launch thriving recovery ministries.  Register by sending an email to gail.johnson@minnesotaumc.org.  Connection information will be sent a day or two in advance.

Financial Foundations webinar | May 11, Old money, new opportunities
     Join this quarter's Fiancial Foundations webinar, Old money, new opportunties, May 11, at 7-7:45 p.m.  Jeff Pospisil, who serves as executive director for Fianance and Administration for the Dakotas Conference,  and Sheri Meister, president and CEO for the Dakotas United Foundation, will share ideas on how to edn the struggle and look at ways to the the most of endowments  or investments and look at ways to make these funds connected to the ministry of your church.  Details here.

Telling the old story, in a new time: Best practices for worshiping online and beyond in a physically distanced world: View a recording of the webinar hosted by Jason Moore, Midnight Oil Productions, about how to face  unique challenges to ministry when it is not possible to gather in-person. 

Builders Club | Spring Call for Legacy South and Celebrate Grace 
    Builders Club supports the building projects of four churches each year through the donations of hundreds of people across the Dakotas Conference. The goal of Builders Club is to assist churches in need of financial support for their building, remodel, or expansion projects. By providing support for the building projects of churches, it allows them to grow current or begin new ministries. This spring individuals and congregations are called to support Legacy South UMC and Celebrate Grace UMC.  Join | Donate online

Dakotas Walk to Emmaus | Spring walks postponed
     The Men's Walk to Emmaus, scheduled for April 23-26, 2020, and the Women's Walk to Emmaus scheduled for April 30-May 3, 2020. have been canceled. Watch for dates for the fall Men's and Women's Walk to Emaus at dakotaswalk.org. 

Dakotas United Methodist Camps Early Bird deadline | April 30
    Your Dakotas United Methodist camps are eagerly preparing for an amazing summer. Register for any camp event at Lake Poinsett Camp, Wesley Acres Camp, or Storm Mountain Center by April 30 to receive $5 off per night of camp costs. Check out the camps and events at Dakotas United Methodist Camps website or access the 2020 Dakotas camp brochure online.

Annual Conference 2020 | Registration suspended until May 1
     As we deal with COVID-19, registration for the 2020 Annual Conference, to be held June 10-13, 2020, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been suspended until May 1, 2020. The Dakotas Conference leadership will continue to monitor the situation and will announce any changes on or before May 1, 2020.

General Conference 2020  | Postponed
     General Conference 2020 has been postponed until 2021. The Commission on General Conference is working on dates with the Minneapolis Convention Center. View the press release here.

North Central Jurisdictional Conference | Postponed
     The North Central Jurisdiction Conference, scheduled for July 15-18, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been posponed.  Read the announcement about the postponement here.