THIS WEEK

Announcing MMIR webinar | August 17
    The Dakotas Conference and United Women in Faith present a webinar exploring the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on Saturday, August 17, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time, 9:00-10:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Lily Mendoza, Director of the Red Ribbon Skirt Society, and Lisa Heth, Director of Wiconi Wawokiya, Inc., will share about this critical issue of racial justice that plagues our sisters and brothers in the Dakotas and what we, as United Methodists, can do to help. They will be joined by Dakotas Conference representatives Rev. Susan Jennys and Colleen McKirdy, president of the Dakotas UWFaith. Learn more.

EarthKeepers training | Apply by Aug. 14
    Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training and incubator program that provides a collaborative space for United Methodists to develop and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, antiracism, community organizing, and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training. A EarthKeepers training event will be held Oct. 3-6, 2024, in St. Paul, Minnesota. See this Dropbox folder for promotional copy and graphics for social media posts or newsletter placements. Applications are Due by August 14, 2024. 

Solar Oven Partners U.S. Mission Opportunity | Aug. 20-21
    Solar Oven Partners, a ministry of the Dakotas Conference, is going to the Navajo Nation this month as planned!  Assist people learning to cook with solar ovens in a seminar August 20-21, 2024 on a college campus at Tsaile, Arizonia. Team Leader Paul Hilgedick has room for two more team members. Contact Paul as soon as possible via cellphone 605-561-9583 or email. More info here. 

COMING UP

Investing in Leaders Resource Grant (Student Debt Reduction) | Apply by Sept. 1
    The 2024 application period has been extended until Sept. 1, 2024. First-time applicants are considered first. Demonstration of completing personal financial education and working with a financial loan repayment counselor (at least one session) are both required. If you need more information about connecting with a student loan repayment counselor, please get in touch with Area Director of Clergy Well-Being Diane Owen at diane.owen@dkmnareaumc.org. Learn more.

Required Quadrennial Clergy Training: Becoming Whole and Holy Leaders | Aug 26-27
 Dakotas Conference clergy and laity serving in pastoral roles plan to attend Becoming Whole and Holy Leaders: How our healthy boundaries and ethics move us to wholeness and holiness! This required quadrennial training is August 26 – 27, 2024, at First UMC, in Pierre, S.D.. Register here.

Doreen Retirement Open House | Aug 28
    Join us Wednesday, August 28, at 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at the Conference Office in Mitchell, S.D.,  for an open house to celebrate the ministry of Doreen Gosmire. Doreen will be retiring as Director of Communications September 1st. This gathering will be an opportunity to express our gratitude and celebrate her impact on the Dakotas Conference.

Financial Leadership for Churches | Fall 2024
    Consider the Financial Leadership for Churches program Garrett Evangelical Seminary offers for pastors and church leaders, which will be offered online this fall. The cost is $450 (covering all participants).  Information can be found here. Should a church have difficulty paying the fee, financial ministry grants are available to provide matching funds (for this program $225 with the church providing $225). Contact Diane Owen, Area Director of Clergy Well-being, at diane.owen@dkmnareaumc.org.

Save 40% on Advent study book | Ends August 31
    Bishop Lanette Plambeck will lead a virtual Advent study, The Christmas Letters, on Tuesday evenings, November 26 through December 17.  Author Magrey deVega invites you to hear about the miracle of Christ’s birth from those who first told the story. Order your book from Cokesbury by August 31 to save 40%.

Leadership Institute 2024 | Sept. 25-27
    Remember the incredible energy of last year's Leadership Institute? Want to find out what everyone's talking about? Experience the spirit of connection and growth at this year's conference, September 25-27, 2024. Registration now. Get the details.

Builders Club | Riverview UMC
    In the last year, Riverview United Methodist Church in Huron, South Dakota, welcomed more than 100 new members. With the influx of new members and the many ministries happening, there are several projects throughout the church building that need to be addressed to create more welcoming and functional spaces. Through the Builders Club, prayerfully consider a gift to support Riverview UMC. The gifts for this call will be received until September 30, 2024. Get the details.

DakYouth | Oct. 11-13
    Join The Skit Guys, Winona Avenue, and Matt Rawle, along with middle and high school youth in Aberdeen, South Dakota for DakYouth 2024. This year’s them is “Crossroads” with a scripture focus on Joshua 24:15. Register by Sept. 19 to get a t-shirt and discount on lodging. Check out a video promo here.

RESOURCES

Join the Prayer Partner Project
    Do you pray? How often do you pray? Do you want to grow as a follower of Jesus Christ? Do you want to have someone you can trust and with whom you can share? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, sign up for the Prayer Partner Project! You can register as an individual, or as your church or church group, such as United Women in Faith, a Bible study group, or a craft team. You'll choose a prayer partner (a friend, co-worker, family member, or neighbor within or outside the church). You and your prayer partner will decide how often to communicate and pray for each other. Get the details and register.

2025 Social Principles Resources online
    The Social Principles as adopted by General Conference Charlotte, 2024, will officially take effect January 1, 2025. Cokesbury, the United Methodist publishing house will print the updated, official UMC Social Principles booklet in 2025. Church and Society’s online content offers resources for use before 2025. Access resources.

UM Communications | Two videos to kick off the year
    United Methodist Communications shares two video resources to kick off the new church and school year. The church doors are open: As summer winds down, United Methodist congregations often plan new activities to re-engage both existing members and welcome new folks. Be inspired by this video to invite friends to join you at church. It’s back to school time! Across the United Methodist connection, children we love are returning to the classroom. Join us in praying for teachers and other school leaders who inspire students to learn, dream and grow.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Jobs Available
    We're hiring! Take a look at the job announcements across the Dakotas Conference. Get the details on jobs available at these Conference churches and organizations.

Youth and Children's Ministry Coordinator | Sioux Falls Sunnycrest UMC
    Sunnycrest UMC in Sioux Falls, South Dakota has an opening for a full-time Youth and Children’s Ministry Coordinator. Interested candidates should submit a resume to Office@sunnycrest.org. Find link to full job description on our website.

Worship and Technology Director | Watertown First UMC
    First UMC in Watertown, South Dakota has an opening for a full-time Worship and Technology Director. Access a job description here. Questions and inquiries can be directed to Rev. Sara McManus at seniorpastor@watertownfirst.church.