THIS WEEK

AC 2023: Register by May 22 
    Registration is now open for the 30th annual Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church session. Register by May 22 to avoid a late fee and attend a Pre-Conference Gathering. The three-day event will occur at the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Convention Center. The Dakotas Conference Sessions Committee invites you to experience powerful worship, rich learning opportunities in workshops and plenary sessions, and fellowship with United Methodists across North and South Dakota. Drawing on Luke 24:13-35, the theme of this year's gathering is "Encounter. Transform. Respond: The Emmaus Experience."

Vanco webinar | May 23
    The Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations are excited to announce their partnership with Vanco. We invite you to join us at our upcoming presentation, where we will introduce you to Vanco and share how they provide congregations with tools for online giving, mobile app giving, and engagement and much more. Join us for this enlightening presentation on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 12 p.m. CDT. Click this link to register. Questions? Contact us at info@dkmnmf.org.

Choose to Lose | Starts in June
    Summer is a time for outdoor activities and fresh produce, recreation and renewal! Interested clergy and annual conference staff from the Dakotas and Minnesota Annual Conferences are invited at no charge to join Avera Health Coaches for Choose to Lose those unhealthy habits, a program that spends time in each of 12 weekly virtual sessions focusing on a different aspect of a healthy lifestyle.

COMING UP

Miracle Offering | The Road of Hope 
    In response to the increasing numbers of deaths by suicide, ideation of suicide, and attempts among youth in North and South Dakota, and the mental health crisis in our nation, the 2023 Miracle Offering recipients are the Helpline of South Dakota and FirstLink of North Dakota. Our goal for the 2023 Miracle Offering is $50,000 to be shared with Helpline of South Dakota and FirstLink of North Dakota—access resources.

Bring a Friend to camp and save $25
    For each new camper you or your family member bring to camp, you will receive $25 off the price of your camp. New campers are those who have not been to any Dakotas United Methodist Camps camping event in the past three years Request the Bring-a-friend discount in your online forms. The discount will be applied when your friend registers. Register here. 

Youth 2023 | July 22-29
    Middle and high school students are invited to travel with other Dakotas Conference youth to Daytona Beach, Florida, July 22-29, 2023. Join thousands of other youth and their leaders at Youth 2023, at the Daytona Ocean Center and lodging at the Hilton Ocean Front Resort. Check out the cost and further details here.

2023 Mission u
    Don’t miss Mission u 2023! United Women in Faith have a commitment to lifelong learning. Mission u is a perfect example of how that commitment is put into action—and not just for ourselves, but to better reflect God’s love to others. This summer, do yourself a favor and attend this three-day learning adventure. Participate in one of three sessions: Southern Site: July 14-16, 2023, Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD, access details; Northern Site: July 20-22, 2023, University of Jamestown, Jamestown, ND, access details; Virtual: August 10-12, 2023, on Zoom, access details.

Called special session | Aug. 15
    After consultation with the Dakotas Appointive Cabinet, Bishop Lanette Plambeck has called a special session of the Dakotas Annual Conference for August 15, 2023, beginning at 7:00 p.m., Central Time,  6:00 p.m. Mountain Time. The session will be entirely virtual. This will be the final called conference for disaffiliation in 2023.

National Day of Volunteer Training | September 23, 2023
    Fargo First UMC is once again hosting National Day of Volunteer Training through Download Youth Ministry. The date for this year's training is September 23, beginning at 9 a.m. Bring your team to this training. Current pricing is $99.00 for everyone on your team. Prices will go up on May 1. The training will be finished by noon. Fargo First UMC will be providing lunch for all attendees after the training. Please mark your calendars, register, and join us. 

RESOURCES

Fireside Chat episode 6
    United Methodists recognize God's grace at work throughout our spiritual journeys. John Wesley, the historic founder of the Methodist movement, wrote and preached about the role of God's grace to prepare us, redeem us, and continually shape us into the people we were created to be. Wesley taught that God’s grace is with each of us throughout our lives.  Access the episode. Access the entire series.

Peace with Justice Sunday | June 4
    Peace with Justice Sunday is June 4. We are called to love our enemies, seek justice and serve as peacemakers. Prepare for Peace with Justice Sunday with plug and play resources to help promote this Special Sunday. Find resources for worship, promotion, age level material and more in the pastor and leader kit. Core resources are available in multiple languages. Start planning today!

Grants

Investing In Leaders Resource Grant (Student Debt Reduction) | 2023 application is now open
    The 2023 application is now open for the Investing in Leaders Resource Grant, formerly known as Student Debt Reduction Grant. 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 contact Area Director of Clergy Well-Being Diane Owen at diane.owen@dkmnareaumc.org. Grant awards up to $5000 are available. Applications are due Aug. 1. Notification of grant awards will occur by Sept. 15. Access application for first-time applicants. Access renewal application if you have applied before.

Clergy Well-Being Grants | Apply now
    The 2023 Clergy Well-Being Resource Grant committee is now accepting applications! The Dakotas-Minnesota Area offers our clergy this grant of up to $1,000 for first time applicants and up to $500 for those who received a grant in 2022. Funds could be used for a health coach, spiritual director, gym membership, hiking boots, a creative art experience, a course on resilience or trauma, and more.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Worship Arts Director  | Legacy UMC
     Legacy is looking for a full-time Worship Arts Director, a person with a visible and contagious love for Jesus lived out in passionate worship. This person should be a good communicator with a creative spirit, possessing the musical ability to lead vocally and instrumentally and the leadership to develop the gifts and talents of a diverse team. See the full job description here.