THIS WEEK 

Dakotas will welcome a new bishop |North Central Jurisdiction happens this week
    With the theme "We Press On," delegates from 10 annual conferences across the Midwest will gather in Fort Wayne, Indiana, November 2-5, for a regular session of the North Central Jurisdictional Conference, where three new bishops will be elected. A resident bishop will be assigned to the Dakotas-Minnesota Area. Dakotas Conference delegates in attendance are Rev. Rebecca Trefz, Rev. Sara Nelson, as well as Rev. Ray Baker, reserve clergy delegate, and Rev. Jenny Hallenbeck Orr, reserve clergy delegate. Lay delegates are Kara Heagel and Beata Ferris. The Dakotas Conference Communications team will be reporting on the events as they happen from Fort Wayne. Watch the livestream. View the schedule.

Doctrine of Discovery Event | November 5
    The Doctrine of Discovery is a 500-year-old series of Christian edicts that violently deny the personhood of Indigenous peoples around the world. Why does it matter today? The Doctrine still influences public and religious policy, with the US Supreme Court citing it as recently as 2005. What's the purpose of this event? To support faith communities to learn about the Doctrine with guest speakers and group reflection, understand its real-life impacts on Indigenous peoples, and act with hope and courage to repudiate it.  How can we participate? Each faith community is invited to bring a group of 5 or so people to the event on November 5th in Fargo, ND. If possible, we welcome donations of $100 from each faith community. Details here, or contact Rev. Karen Van Fossan,  701.202.2421.

Ways to Observe All Saints Day
    Historically, the Church has confessed a belief in the "communion of the saints," which includes not only all living believers, but also all who have gone before us. When we celebrate Holy Communion, we experience the communion of saints, feasting with believers past, present and future. The author of Hebrews 12 reminds us that these saints, a “great cloud of witnesses,” surrounds us and cheers us on. On All Saints Day, United Methodists publicly remember and honor those who have passed away. Celebrated on the first Sunday in November, many congregations light candles, ring bells of remembrance, and call the names of those lost in the previous year as a way of honoring the impact their lives have had on us. 

COMING UP 

DAKYOUTH 2022 | November 11-13
    DAKYOUTH is an annual youth event like no other and is for both middle school and high school youth in the Dakotas Conference. Youth will gather November 11-13 at the Center for Recreation and Culture in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Join us for awesome music led by Pastors Clay Lundberg and Taylor Johnson and awesome speakers– Stephanie Caro, Mark Oestreicher, and Andrew Root. This year the DAKYOUTH theme will be “Good vs. Evil.” The scripture focus is Isaiah 5:20. Register and get the details here. 

Shoebox Christmas | Spread some cheer
    Each Christmas season, United Methodists from across the Dakotas Conference and beyond bring the gifts of Jesus in a shoebox.  Shoebox Christmas gifts are distributed to over 5,000 children across five Native American reservations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Get details.

Annual Conference Special Session | November 19, 2022
    Bishop Deborah Kiesey is formally calling a special session of the Dakotas Annual Conference for November 19, 2022, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Central, 8:30 a.m. Mountain. The agenda will include one business item: consideration of resolutions ratifying the disaffiliation of local churches from The United Methodist Church according to the provisions of ¶2553. See a message from the Dakotas Conference Cabinet addressing disaffiliation misinformation here. Registration is now open.

Hunger Grants | Due November 30
    Food insecurity continues to be a problem within North and South Dakota and has become even more challenging following COVID-19 complications and inflationary pressure. Funds for these grants are being collected as a part of the 2022 Bishop's Thanksgiving Offering – please consider contributing to this offering. The application deadline is November 30, 2022.  Apply here. 

Bishop's Thanksgiving Offering | Support local hunger ministries
    The need to feed those facing hunger across the Dakotas is still present and increasing. Funds collected from the 2022 Thanksgiving Offering will be distributed to local congregations and communities to help feed those facing hunger. The Missional Impact Link will award grants to United Methodist Churches or United Methodist related organizations. Church partnerships with local food ministries are encouraged. Access resources.

Builders Club Fall 2022 | Kenmare ReNew UMC
    ReNew United Methodist Church in Kenmare, North Dakota desires to be a place where people can come and renew their connection with each other and God. The ReNew UMC congregation describes themselves as a causal church with a contemporary attitude and welcomes all to come as they are. Join the Builders Club. Donate

A Very Dakotas Christmas | Online service
    It is beginning to look like Christmas in the Dakotas Conference office! We are filming "A Very Dakotas Christmas." This online service will be available for churches to use this holiday season. Here is a sneak peek at the order of worship. 

RESOURCES

United Methodist Student Day | November 27
    The United Methodist Church has dedicated November 27 as United Methodist Student Day, where we set aside time to honor and celebrate students in our congregation and around the world. With this special offering, we invest in their future. Encourage support with resources like offering talks, sermon starters, liturgies, age level resources and more to help spread awareness and encourage giving. Access resources.

#BeUMC | A story of connection
    The people of God are in action to make the world a better place in Jesus’ name. As United Methodists, we know the Holy Spirit continues to move in us and renew us. We celebrate our connection to one another and embrace new ways of becoming the church our communities need us to be. Explore digital resources, discussion topics and more to help remind your congregation who we are and what we can do together. Discover the movement.

Advent Resources | Order today
    Invite your community to worship with you this Advent with the help of customizable outreach resources! Choose from banners, signs, postcards, invitation cards, posters and more. All are available in a wide variety of designs and messaging.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

SOP Director | Deadline extended
    Might you be called to serve as the next director of the Solar Oven Partners ministry? Click to see if this is right for you or someone you know.

Dakotas Conference Assistant Benefits Coordinator
    Seeking a Full time Assistant Conference Benefits Officer.   Assist in the administration of the Dakotas Conference clergy and lay staff benefits program. Must have the ability to organize, problem solve, maintain records and have oral and written communication skills.  Knowledge in the use of data bases and computer skills important. If interested, please send resume to Leana.Stunes@Dakotasumc.org