THIS WEEK 

A Fresh Approach to Cooperative Parishes | October 27 webinar
    Authors Kay L. Kotan and Rev. Jason C. Stanley are offering a free webinar from 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 27 about how churches working together can share the love of Jesus more effectively. Kotan and Stanley wrote the book “An Effective Approach to Cooperative Parishes.”  Register now. 

Lay Ministry Academy | Answer the call
     We are all called by God. Laity throughout the Dakotas are invited to the Lay Training Academy at Open Heart UMC in Rapid City, South Dakota, on October 28-30, 2022 and January 27-29, 2023; or at First UMC in Pierre, South Dakota, April 28-30, 2023, and July 28-30, 2023. Training will be on two tracks to equip lay people to better minister in their individual contexts: 1) preaching and leading spoken parts of worship and, 2) congregational care and discipleship. Get the details here. 

Breakthrough Ministry Grants | Due October 31
    Breakthrough Ministry Grants are offered to churches and related organizations from the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation and Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Grants will be awarded quarterly as seed money to launch new ministries or expand an existing ministry. Learn more about Breakthrough Ministry Grants here.

COMING UP 

Jurisdictional Conference Scheduled | Nov. 2-5, 2022
    In response to Judicial Council decision 1445, the Council of Bishops (COB) has formally set the dates for regular sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be convened November 2-5, 2022.  Our North Central Jurisdictional Conference will meet in Fort Wayne, Indiana and be livestreamed on the NCJUMC.org website.  The Dakotas-Minnesota Area will be receiving a new bishop. View video interviews with the candidates for episcopal leadership. Read the candidates biographical informaton. Access The Advance Journal volume 1 and volume 2. 

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.

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.

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

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. 

10 free services UMCom offers churches
    United Methodist Communications offers a wide array of resources, tools, and training to local churches. Here is a list of 10 free services that will assist your congregation in ministry. Access the 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.

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