This Week @ Dakotas | November 29
THIS WEEK
Sites and Sounds of the Season | Share with us
Is your church all decorated? Do you have special Christmas tradition at your church? Please share it with us. Advent will soon be 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. #DakotasSightsandSounds
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.
COMING UP
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.
Online Certification Opportunities | Begin in January
A new cycle of online ministry certification courses is set to begin Jan. 16, 2023, at BeADisciple.com. BeADisciple.com is part of the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College and has offered quality online educational experiences with roots in Wesleyan theology since 2006. Full information is available online.
Clergy Epiphany Gathering | January 8-9
The Dakotas Conference Cabinet invites clergy to join them at the Clergy Epiphany Gathering- “Reflect, Release, and Reset” on January 8-9, 2023. We will celebrate the arrival of and meet our new Bishop and lean into the message of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. See details here.
Preaching Workshop | January 10-11
You are invited to a Preaching Workshop on January 10-11, 2023, in Aberdeen, SD. Pastors Annie Carlson and Jordan Minnich Kjesbo will lead the Preaching Workshop focused on yearly planning, preparation, available resources and organizing for successful preaching whether using the lectionary or series. See details here.
RESOURCES
Downloadable resource for Native American Heritage Month | View resource
In honor of Native American Heritage Month in November, the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race is offering a downloadable graphic of “11 Facts about Native People in Society and the Church.” Prepared by newly elected Bishop David Wilson, the denomination’s first Native American bishop, the fact sheet debunks erroneous beliefs about Indigenous persons and chronicles their long-standing role in The United Methodist Church.
Advent and Christmas resources for children | Access now
Advent and Christmas are magical times full of mystery and awe for many people. None experience the wonder of the season more than children. It’s important that our churches offer engaging activities and biblically rooted messaging to the youngest believers among us. The Michigan Annual Conference has built a fantastic free library of resources to help you and your congregation make the most of your children’s programming this season.
Youth ministry coaching opportunity
Vicky Vetter of Bismarck Legacy UMC, and Andrea Plueddeman of Fargo First UMC, received Breakthrough Ministry grants to undergo training with National Association of Youth Ministry Certification program and become certified ministry coaches. They attended three days of training in Pittsburgh in October, learning how to coach colleagues in ministry to identify areas for growth and guide them towards their own goals and solutions. To complete their certification both women now need to practice coaching with one individual for 6 hours (or 8, 45 min sessions) with some oversight and feedback from the trainer. Vicky is looking for someone to coach in the Bismarck area, preferably someone working with students or children in a church; you can reach her at vicky@legacyumc.org.
Free COVID vaccine clinics | SD churches apply
The SD Department of Health will coordinate through your church, to conduct a Covid-19 clinic in any community within South Dakota. Complete and submit vaccination assistance request form.
