THIS WEEK

Thanksgiving Offering | Five and Two
    Did you know nearly one in every 10 adults in the Dakotas have reported there is sometimes or often not enough to eat for their household? There are people in every one of our communities who face the very real struggle to make ends meet and provide for their families. How will you reach those facing food insecurity this Thanksgiving? Learn more and make a pledge.

SOP countdown to Giving Tuesday
    Countdown–4, 3, 2, 1! #Giving Tuesday is November 28. For the next four weeks, Solar Oven Partners will be GIVING a trivia question about GIVING THE GIFT of solar cooking for families in need. Trivia Question #1: Name the two countries outside of the U.S. where Solar Oven Partners distributes solar ovens to families in need. Got the answer? Click Here to find out where Solar Oven Partners is spreading light, life and love!

Heaven Meets Earth: Preaching on Advent | Nov. 2
    Join Bishop Willimon and host, Rev. Cameron Merrill, on Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. CDT, for a webinar about preaching on Advent and the Incarnation in down-to-earth ways with stories, wit, and authenticity. Learn more and register for this FREE webinar.

COMING UP

DakYouth 2023 | Nov. 10-12
    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 at the Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center from all around the conference to learn about leadership, discipleship, and service. This year the DAKYOUTH theme  is**“Good vs. Evil.”** The scripture focus is Isaiah 5:20. Get the details and register.

Shoebox Christmas 2023 | November 10 dropoff deadline
    Start collecting your Shoebox Christmas gifts. Spirit Lake Ministry Center coordinates Shoebox Christmas gifts to over 6,000 children across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota reservations. Learn more about Shoebox Christmas gifts and the dropoff locations. 

UM Student Day | November 26
    100% of your UM Student Day donation goes to scholarships for students.Every year, GBHEM awards an average of $5.5 million in financial aid to United Methodist students. Access resources for Student Day on November 26.

Advent Study | Heaven and Earth
    Bishop Lanette Plambeck is leading an Advent Study, Heaven and Earth: Advent and the Incarnation, by Will Willimon. Join the four week study on Tuesdays, beginning  November 28, at 7:30-8:15 p.m.  central time, on Zoom. Get the details here.

Fresh Expressions Activate Day | Dec. 2
    Fresh Expressions Activate Day is Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., online. Continue the momentum from Imagine Day at Activate Day. Each team will gather locally and begin the practical steps of cultivating a new Christian community. Attend even if you didn't make it to Imagine Day. Register today.

A Very Dakotas Christmas 2023 | Heaven and Nature Sing available Dec. 11
    Bishop Lanette Plambeck and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet present this gift of worship to you, "A Very Dakotas Christmas 2023." We celebrate the birth of the Christ-child with clergy, families, and scenes from United Methodists across the Dakotas Conference. The online service and resources will be available Dec. 11. Learn more.

Clergy Epiphany Gathering | Jan. 7-9
    Clergy save the date for the 2024 Epiphany Gathering on January 7-9, 2024. Join Jill and Michael Beck at the Dakotas Event Center in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It will be a Mardi Gras themed festival. A chance to celebrate being together as United Methodist clergy. We will gather with Bishop Lanette and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet on Sunday evening and end our time by noon on Tuesday.

Dynamite Prayer | Jan. 14-Feb. 10
    Ready to see what God can do when we come together in prayer and ask God’s Spirit to unleash in us? Begin 2024 by joining a breakthrough prayer movement across the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area! Join us from Jan. 14-Feb. 10 for our area-wide Dynamite Prayer initiative. Get the details.

SPRC Training | Feb. 22
    If you have new members in your Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), or have recently received a new pastor, or haven't been through a training in a while, join an online (Zoom) training on February 22, at 6:30-8:30 p.m.

RESOURCES

Communications awards | Dakotas recognized
    Hundreds of United Methodist communicators were honored October 25 with an awards celebration at the annual meeting of the United Methodist Association of Communicators in Charleston, SC. The Dakotas Conference received Best of Class and first place recognitions. Read more.

The Recap | Episode 12
    Gain a better understanding of what is going on in The United Methodist Church, find inspiration in stories of ministry and learn how our denomination is transforming the world. Watch a short video of The Recap, episode twelve highlighting United Methodist support in the Middle East, the Philippines, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the minting of a quarter that features a UM, and Pope Francis receiving a John Wesley bobblehead. View this episode and past episodes.

Vanco online giving | Promotion for new accounts
    Anyone who signs up for a new account with Vanco in the month of November, will receive free processing (no fees!) for the month of January. Any churches who qualify for Select Pricing on top of this promotion, will save UMC churches an average of $815 per year. Get the details or contact Vanco.

GRANTS    

Hunger Grants | Apply by November 30
    Dakotas Conference Hunger Grants are meant to address hunger in your local communities through hunger programs. Grants up to $1,000 are being awarded to United Methodist Churches or United Methodist related organizations (can include church partnerships with local food ministries). Applications must be submitted by November 30, 2023 to be considered for a grant. Learn more.

Financial Ministry Grant |  Growing generous giver
    If you want to learn more about growing generous givers, starting a study such as Saving Grace, or providing a growth opportunity for key leaders, consider applying for a Financial Ministry Grant of up to $500 to fund your effort. Whatever your method for improving your church's financial health and embedding the value of generosity into your church culture, some financial support can jumpstart your efforts!  Apply for the Financial Ministry Grant using a simple application found here.

In Our Hearts

In our hearts | Loren Christensen
    Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Loren Christensen. Loren is the father of Rev. Jason Christensen, Dakotas Conference elder serving Trinity UMC in Lead, South Dakota. View a full obituary.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Jobs Available
    We're hiring! Take a look at the job announcements across the Dakotas Conference. Get the details on jobs available at these Conference churches and organizations.

Conference Position | Benefits and Human Resources Officer
    The Dakotas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is seeking a full-time Conference Benefits and Human Resources Officer to administer the conference clergy and lay staff benefits program, lead and direct conference human resource functions, and coordinate with the conference treasurer financial reporting for Wespath and the Board of Pensions. The full job description can be found here. To apply, email your resume and references to Leana Stunes at leana.stunes@dakotasumc.org.    

Spirit Lake seeks director
    Spirit Lake Ministry Center is seeking a director. The Spirit Lake Ministry Center is dedicated to supporting the peoples of the Spirit Lake Nation and is an approved United Methodist Volunteer in Mission destination. View a full job description and details on how to apply.

Discipleship Ministries Coordinator | Evergreen UMC
    Evergreen UMC in Wahpeton, N.D., is hiring a Discipleship Ministries Coordinator. Evergreen UMC is looking for a high energy, enthusiastic individual who loves engaging with children, youth and young adults and also is super crazy about Jesus!! Please contact Pastor Kori Lehrkamp or the church office for more information.