THIS WEEK

Pray with us | September 28-October 4
    God, there is chaos in my heart and my life. I am filled with fear and hesitation. So I really need peace back in my life. I know, my God, that only you can give it. Please listen to my humbled heart; I so want to find rest in you. In the name of Jesus. Amen. We pray for all of God's people, but especially these persons.

Solar Oven Partners Voyage Across the Dakotas | Sept. 22 - Oct. 3
    Solar Oven Partners (SOP) Volunteer-in-Mission teams may have been home-bound during the pandemic, but you can invite your mission team and supporters, youth directors, and possible volunteers to join SOP’s Dominican Voyage Across the Dakotas this fall. SOP Director Marjorie Evans-De-Carpio and Dominican Director Erasme Figaro plan to make stops at churches and events across the Dakotas from September 22-October 3. Find out how SOP has continued its solar oven ministry in the midst of COVID-19, and attend the opening of the long-awaited new workshop in Rapid City. Details here

Leadership Institute 2021 | September 29-October 1, 2021
    You're invited to the Leadership Institute at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Come for inspiration, practical ministry tools and proven strategies to strengthen your church and your own leadership. You can attend online or in-person. Get the details here. 

REACH! With Missional Communities | September 30
    Making new disciples requires that followers of Jesus deeply engage their communities in transformational ways.  Rachel Gilmore comes to us having experience and wisdom on forming missional communities that accomplish that deep engagement.  If you are looking for principles to move out of your building and into your neighborhood with greater effectiveness, register for this Reach! webinar.

Dakotas United Methodist Women | Annual Celebration Oct. 1-2, 2021
    The Dakotas Conference United Methodist Women's Annual Celebration will be held Oct 1-2 in Jamestown, North Dakota. A registration form will be posted on the UMW page of the Conference website very soon. 

Walk to Emmaus - West | October 1-3
    Have you attended the Walk to Emmaus? If you have, then we have an event for you. This fall we are holding retreat at Storm Mountain Center, October 1-3, 2021. The theme for these retreat is 'Rekindle Your Spiritual Fire'. We want the entire 4th Day Community to be energized for the Walks that will be held next year. Get the details here.

Soul Fill-up | Wednesdays 8 a.m. Mountain, 9 a.m. Central 
    Soul Fill-up is a mid-week time for church leaders to slow down. Let us pour into your soul and refill your cup during guided scripture reading, prayer, and meditation led by the Higher Ground program's spiritual directors. There is nothing to do or prepare—just set this 30-40 minutes aside for yourself and join us! Click here to join, Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. central, 8:00 a.m. mountain.

COMING UP

Tuesdays at the Table | Starts October 5
     It is important for United Methodists to explore who we are, what we believe and how we live as people of God, today and into the future. The Connectional Table, in cooperation with our general agencies and others, is hosting a series of discussions that will help us better understand our faith, our church and ourselves. Get the details.

Clergy Leadership Academy |  October 17-19
    All clergy are invited to attend the Clergy Leadership Academy at Lake Poinsett.   Melissa Hiatt brings a practical expertise and professional skill set to develop the emotional health of individuals, families, teams and organizations. Having served as the pastor of an American Baptist Church, Melissa is particularly adept to the dynamics of churches and pastoral leadership. Trained by Brené Brown, Melissa teaches Dare to Lead, Daring Greatly and Rising Strong Workshops throughout the Midwest exploring vulnerability, shame, empathy, self-compassion and courageous leadership. Get the details here. 

Confirmation Retreat | October 22-23
    Experience connections with other United Methodist churches and confirmands. Learn about a part of your Christian and United Methodist heritage. Develop your faith while playing and studying during this retreat. Bring your own group leaders and youth to Storm Mountain Center October 22-23. Register here. 

Relax, Refresh, Renew | October 22-24
    Experience a time to relax, refresh and renew your mind, body and spirit. In the beauty of creation, you will find both group time to build Christian community, and time apart for Sabbath and renewal. Join other women from across the Dakotas Conference at Storm Mountain Center, October 22-24. 

Dakotas Connection Initiative | Rural Ministry Fall Gatherings (Oct. 23- Nov. 14)
    The Dakotas Annual Conference is hosting fall gatherings for rural ministry churches in each of our four districts in the upcoming weeks. These gatherings are part of our million-dollar Dakotas Connection Initiative, a rural ministry gran from the Lilly Endowment. Gatherings are designed to connect with rural churches with the intention of creating innovative and collaborative ways to structure ministry functions to effectively and efficiently allocate ministry resources. Each four-hour session is free of charge, each church attending will receive several resources designed to spur on innovation in rural ministry and a stipend to help offset travel costs. View a  list of the dates, times, locations and register. 

Shoebox Christmas | Deliver gifts by November 12, 2021
    Shoebox Christmas gifts will be collected in November. Please have your Shoebox Christmas gifts delivered by November 12, 2021,  to one these North Dakota sites: McCabe UMC in Bismarck, First UMC in Devils Lake, First UMC in Fargo, Wesley UMC in Grand Forks, Vincent UMC in Minot. You can also deliver gifts to Sunnycrest UMC in Sioux Falls and the Dakotas Conference Office in Mitchell in South Dakota. Please contact the drop-off location to set up a time for drop off.

DAKYOUTH 2021 | November 12-14
    DAKYOUTH,  an event for middle and high school students, is happening November 12-14, 20201, at the Recreating and Culture Center in Aberdenn, South. The theme is “Bent, not Broken.”  The scripture focus is 2 Corinthians 4:8-9—8:We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. 9 We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out.  Register today.

UMC Student Day | November 28, 2021
    Gifts to UMC Student Day fund scholarship programs for promising United Methodist students. This includes programs like the Rev. Dr. Karen Layman Gift of Hope Scholarship. It is a scholarship designated for undergraduates with at least three years of membership in The United Methodist Church. Click here to access resources for UMC Student Day.

Bible Land Exploration | Departing February 1, 2022
    Join Bishop Laurie  and Rev. Gary Haller along with others from the Dakotas  and Iowa Annual Conferences on an 11-day Bible Land Exploration, starting at $3,996 from Bismarck and Fargo, ND or Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD departing on February 1, 2022. Journey to places such as Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Temple Mount, Garden of Gethsemane, Jericho, Bethlehem, Galilee, and much more!

UMW Assembly - Orlando | Registration now open 
    The UMW Assembly will be May 20-22, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The theme is Turn It Up! Now more than ever, women need to come together to reflect on today’s challenges and find comfort and strength to move forward, finding ways for faith-filled women to make a difference in the world. Early registration opened Sept 1, 2021.

Best of Italy and the Oberammergau Passion Play | Departing on August 15, 2022
    Join Bishop Laurie  and Rev. Gary Haller along with others from the Dakotas and Iowa Annual Conference sfor 12 days in Germany, Austria, and Italy. You'll explore Innsbruck, have the opportunity to see the Oberammergau Passion Play and spend time in Venice, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. Pricing starts at $5946  from Bismarck, Fargo, ND,  Rapid City, SD, or Sioux Falls, IA departing on August 15, 2022.

RESOURCES 

Virgin Pulse Walking Program Highlights | watch video 
     Did you know you can earn $410 in Pulse Cash? Leana Stunes, Dakotas Conference Benefits Officer, shares the details about the Virgin Pulse Walking Program, a fun way to get healthy and get some perks. All clergy and lay employees who participate in the Dakotas Conference health insurance program are encouraged to participate.

Attention clergy | Book your time at camp (see related story)
     The camping ministry loves our clergy and families – come relax, refresh, and renew at your Dakotas camps and retreat centers! A reminder that the Dakotas board of pensions has generously provided funding for clergy and their families to spend up to two weeks at camp in 2021. There is still time to schedule your vacation/renewal with us, and fall is an absolutely beautiful time to visit your camps! Come by yourself or bring your whole family for a day, for two full weeks, or anything in between. Linens, meals, and use of programming space and equipment included (contingent on availability). Contact Storm Mountain, Wesley Acres, or Lake Poinsett for reservations or with questions. Contact information is available at www.dakcamps.org.

Youth 2023 | July 25-28, 2023
    Florida here we come! YOUTH 2023 is the national gathering for United Methodist youth, grades 6-12, in the United States and all are welcome.We are excited to announce that the tradition continues with YOUTH 2023 headed to Daytona Beach, Florida, July 25-28, 2023! Stay connected as we continue organizing and planning the details that make this event so memorable!

JOBS | ADS | OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fargo Calvary | Discipleship and Youth Pastor/Director
    Calvary UMC is seeking a shepherd with a heart and a passion for discipleship and youth (6th-12th grade). Their primary role is to make disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus. This person will have characteristics and qualifications consistent with 1 Timothy 3:1-7. We desire someone with a strong knowledge of the Bible and the ability to teach. See the full-time job description, duties, and necessary qualifications here. Email a cover letter and resume to Calvary UMC.

OTHER JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS |  VIEW ADS 
    Jobs available at Bismarck McCabe, Pierre First,  and Southern Hills United Methodist Churches across our conference.