Pray With Us | Dec. 7 - 13
    Guide me, Lord, you are my heart you are my strength, you are my hope. Teach me Lord, and guide my way I love you more each passing day. We pray for all of God's people but especially these persons.

Clergy Tax Workshop | Dec. 13
    As a clergy person, you think you have your clergy taxes figured out. Yet, we have heard many horror stories that reveal a few mistakes can be costly. Yes – you are in the midst of Advent season, but waiting to get a handle on your tax situation is never a good idea. This virtual workshop is designed for clergy in the Dakotas and Minnesota Annual Conferences who still have questions about clergy taxes! Treasurers or individuals responsible for clergy payroll are also invited to attend. See more information and registration here.

Sites and Sounds of the Season | Share with us
    Are you decorated? Do you have special Christmas tradition at your church? Please share it with us. Advent is upon us, and that means the sights and sounds of holiday decorations, cherubs, and nativities are all around us. Now it's easy to share your advent photos and short videos with the rest of the Dakotas Conference folks online. Please share your best photos from your church's events to us by e-mail. A post in facebook works, too.  More info here.

COMING UP

A Very Dakotas Christmas 2021 | Available December 20
     The Dakotas Conference Cabinet is preparing an online worship service, "A Very Dakotas Christmas 2021," for congregations to use December 26 or on another day. The service will be available on December 20. Clergy will receive an e-mail notification that the service is ready for download. This service will be casual, with United Methodists across North and South Dakota leading the worship. We invite you to enjoy worship at home from the homes of others!

Discernment Retreat | Jan. 8 & Feb. 5 
    Are you wondering if God is calling you? Then, attend the Discernment Retreat on January 8, 2022, and February 5, 2022, at Spearfish UMC or on Zoom. The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores: personal spiritual gifts, servant leadership, each leader's role in developing future leaders, the importance of consistent spiritual practices, the core ministries of leading, caring, and communicating, and much more. Register here. 

Winter Connection | January 28-29 
Winter Connection is an annual event for high school and middle school youth that takes place in Bismarck, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls this winter. This is an opportunity for youth to gather, share, worship, and serve others. Each year there is a focus on a particular theme and scripture along with a unique and important component of service. Our theme for 2022 is "Gather Round/Bring it in," and our scripture is Luke 5:1.

Bible Land Exploration | Departing February 1, 2022
    Join Bishop Laurie and Rev. Gary Haller along with others from the Dakotas  and Iowa Annual Conferences on an 11-day Bible Land Exploration, starting at $3,996 from Bismarck and Fargo, ND or Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD departing on February 1, 2022. Journey to places such as Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Temple Mount, Garden of Gethsemane, Jericho, Bethlehem, Galilee, and much more!

Best of Italy and the Oberammergau Passion Play | Departing on August 15, 2022
    Join Bishop Laurie and Rev. Gary Haller along with others from the Dakotas and Iowa Annual Conferences for 12 days in Germany, Austria, and Italy. You'll explore Innsbruck, have the opportunity to see the Oberammergau Passion Play and spend time in Venice, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. Pricing starts at $5946  from Bismarck, Fargo, ND,  Rapid City, SD, or Sioux Falls, SD departing on August 15, 2022.

RESOURCES 

Human Relations Sunday | Jan. 26
    The offering on Human Relations Sunday on Jan. 26, supports ministries of social justice and outreach like the Community Developers, Volunteer Service and Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs. The 2022 Human Relations Day Pastor and Leader’s Kit.These are digital resources that you can download, print out and insert to help promote this upcoming Sunday. 

McGovern 50th Anniversary | Children's Book
     2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Presidential election between George McGovern and Richard Nixon. This biography highlights McGovern’s humble upbringing in Mitchell, SD (his father was a Wesleyan Methodist minister and George was also in the ministry for a brief time), his courageous WWII B-24 flying missions, years in the House of Representatives and Senate and fight for equality for all citizens no matter their race, gender or religion. It also features his presidential bids and passion for feeding hungry children throughout the world in the United Nations as well as securing school lunches for all students no matter what their family’s income.  The book was written for students in grades 4-8 for South Dakota history research, but has been well loved by folks of all ages. Read more here.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads 

Jamestown First UMC | Director of Discipleship
    This position at Jamestown First UMC, in Jamestown, ND, will assist the Senior Pastor and the Education Committee in developing and implementing special projects and formation events. They will also coordinate Christian Education and recruit and supervise teachers and volunteers, and more. See the complete posting for this full-time position here.