THIS WEEK

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. 

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. 

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.

COMING UP

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%.

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.

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

Ask UMC | Speaking to the world with (closer to) one voice
    NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 2024 General Conference adopted a thoroughly revised set of Social Principles, the result of listening and feedback across the whole of the church worldwide over a period of more than a decade. Part 4 of Ask The UMC’s “The UMC really is …” series looks at why this was necessary, how the process unfolded and how the Revised Social Principles better reflect the voices of the whole of the denomination, helping it address the world with closer to one voice. Analysis by the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards. Read story. Read series. 

Dakotas | Minnesota Foundation launches new website
    The Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations are excited to officially launch their new website - www.dkmnmf.org . This new Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations combined website will allow them to further their partnership and ministries across the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences.

UMCOR Mustard Seed Migration Grants still available
    UMC churches in the U.S. can help immigrants, migrants and refugees living in their local communities. UMCOR’s Mustard Seed Migration Grant program provides congregations with up to $2,000 for a one-time, community-based service project. Read and share this story on what 3 churches in U.S. did with their grant. Learn more and apply.

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.

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.