THIS WEEK

Pray with us | August 10-16
    Come and embrace me Lord. Hold me secure, Hold me strong, Hold me forever In Your everlasting arms. We pray for all of God's peeople especially these persons.

Dakotas Conference Continuing UMC Task Force |  Nominations due August 15
     Bishop Laurie Haller is creating this new task force, which will focus on beginning to clarify and articulate the vision and values for those who feel called to remain in the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church.  Please nominate people, both lay and clergy, to serve by August 15. See details here. Self-nominations and nominations from others will be accepted. All names and information will be held in confidence. Please fill out this form by August 15, 2021.

Mission u | August 12-14, 2021
     We are so excited to offer Mission u this year by way of Zoom. This will be a whole new experience. The Mission u team made up of deans Cindy Yeager and Emma McKirdy-Wilsey, and assistant deans Bonnie Ostenson and Connie Smith, along with our study leaders, Pastor Michelle Brennan of  First  UMC Jamestown, North Dakota, and Pastor Nancy Ellis of Faith UMC, St. Anthony, Minnesota, are looking forward to sharing  Mission u with you. Pastor Nancy will be teaching based on the book, Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique Morris.  Her Zoom class will be August 12-14, 2021. Zoom sessions will be held on Thursday, August 12, and Friday, August 13 at 7:15-9:00 p.m. CDT, and on Saturday, August 14, at  10:00-11:45 a.m. CDT (registration for this class closed Aug. 5).

Soul Fill-up | Wednesdays 8 a.m. Mountain, 9 a.m. Central 
    Soul Fill-up is a mid-week time for church leaders to slow down. Let us pour into your soul and refill your cup during guided scripture reading, prayer, and meditation led by the Higher Ground program's spiritual directors. There is nothing to do or prepare—just set this 30-40 minutes aside for yourself and join us! Click here to join, Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. Central, 8:00 a.m. Mountain.

COMING UP

Clergy Total Well-being Survey | Take it now
   We have an opportunity to apply for a third phase of our Lilly Grant related to the many challenges facing our pastoral leaders to provide support, services, and financial relief to clergy most harshly affected by the pandemic and to expand our programs to reach more clergy with needs. Your input would help guide the design of a future proposal. Take this brief, anonymous survey here.

Walk to Emmaus - East | September 17-19, 2021
    Have you attended the Walk to Emmaus? If you have, then we have an event for you.  This fall we are holding retreat at Lake Pointsett Camp and Retreat Center, September 17-19, 2021.  The theme for these retreat is 'Rekindle Your Spiritual Fire'.  We want the entire 4th Day Community to be energized for the Walks that will be held next year. Get the details here.

Leadership Institute 2021 | September 29-October 1, 2021
    You're invited to the Leadership Institute at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Come for inspiration, practical ministry tools and proven strategies to strengthen your church and your own leadership. You can attend online or in-person. Get the details here.

Walk to Emmaus - West | October 1-3, 2021
    Have you attended the Walk to Emmaus? If you have, then we have an event for you. This fall we are holding retreat at Storm Mountain Center, October 1-3, 2021. The theme for these retreat is 'Rekindle Your Spiritual Fire'. We want the entire 4th Day Community to be energized for the Walks that will be held next year. Get the details here.

RESOURCES 

Grants Available for Local Church | Racial/Ethnic Ministries
    Grants up to $10,000 will be available this fall from Discipleship Ministries to strengthen leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship and spiritual formation in ethnic local United Methodist churches. The application deadline for Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns (RELCC) grants is Sept. 1. Click here for more information and to apply.

Explore United Methodist | Photos
    UM News has thousands of images from around the world of The United Methodist Church in action. These images are free to use for United Methodist organizations that provide an identifying credit. See photos here. 

Looking for videos?
  For the past several years the Dakotas Conference has been capturing the stories of ministry across North and South Dakota. Churches are free to download and use any of the videos. Access videos here, or contact us at Dakotas Conference Communications. 

Dakotas Conference Strategy Team | Values Workshop
    The Dakotas Strategy Team has developed a workshop to assist churches in discovering and defining their core values. The workshop uses videos, personal refection, small group discussion, and large group conversation and consensus to help a congregation define their core values. This 4-hour workshop is free and available to each congregation. A trained facilitator will come to the church to lead the workshop.  Details here

JOBS | ADS | OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Bismarck McCabe | Contemporary Band Leader / Operations Director
    Requires a self-motivated individual with a broad musical and instrumental background and the ability to manage and lead the band and the worship experience at McCabe. Responsibilities include selection of music and lyrics that fit the worship plan; scheduling and conducting rehearsals; recruit, supervise, and mentor band volunteers; lead the band and congregation in worship; and management of band related equipment. Apply online here.  See details at link above  or contact the church at Bismarck McCabe UMC Office or call 701-255-1160.

   McCabe UMC is also hiring an Operations Director to perform the day-to-day accounting, financial and facility management duties for the church. This position requires a self-motivated individual with a broad background that emphasizes hands-on accounting skills, finance, budgeting, internal controls and personnel management.  Apply online here. Resume required with application. See details at link above or contact the church at Bismarck McCabe UMC Office or call 701-255-1160.

Pierre First UMC | Discipleship Coordinator
    Pierre First UMC is lookin for a Discipleship Coordinator provides opportunities for church and community members and their families to follow Jesus wherever we live, work, and play. This includes, but is not limited to developing, coordinating, and administering discipleship and mission opportunities as well as providing leadership and supervision of staff members and volunteers involved in these ministries. This is a full-time position. View a job description. Apply by contacting: tanya.lieberman@pierrefirstumc.org or call 605-220-2812

Pierre First UMC | Children and Youth Ministry Director
    First United Methodist Church in Pierre, South Dakota, has two job openings.  First UMC is seeking a Children and Youth Ministry Director. This is a 20-24 hour a week position to develop coordinate the church’s ministry with children, infants through 12th grade including Wednesday School and youth group.  View job description. Apply by contacting: tanya.lieberman@pierrefirstumc.org or call 605-220-2812

Dakotas Conference | Church Planter-New Congregation Developer
     The Dakotas Conference is seeking a planter/new congregation developer.  The opportunity exists in a college town in partnership with a center city UMC church that seeks to form a relevant new worship and discipleship community for young adults and new people.  Best applicants have entrepreneurial gifts, disciple making experience and an evangelistic heart.   For details, please contact Rev. Ben Ingebretson here.

OTHER JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS |  VIEW ADS 
    Jobs available at Southern Hills, Canyon Lake, and Asbury UMC. 

Non-Conference Event: New Day conference | August 20-21
    This event is for all clergy and laity interested in hearing about the Global Methodist Church, the possibility of a conservative regional annual conference, and ways clergy and laity can prepare for the upcoming denominational separation. All clergy and laity  are welcome to attend regardless of where you may fall on the theological spectrum.  Get more details and register.