THIS WEEK 

Join the #BeDakotasUMC movement
    #BeDakotasUMC is a grassroots movement to live out our beliefs, vision, values and our connection as United Methodists in North and South Dakota. Congregations and people across the Dakotas are celebrating what draws us to be The United Methodist Church. Here some resources to join the movement. Access grahics, or tell us your story. 

Vision and Values Statement | Your input is needed!
     At Annual Conference this year, the Bishop’s Task Force on the Continuing Dakotas United Methodist Conference shared the initial draft of the Vision and Values document they had been working on for the past year. Since Annual Conference, we have made a few small editorial changes and wording adjustments for more clarity. View the updated document.  As was shared at Annual Conference, now we want to hear from you!  We invite you and your church leadership to read through this document and discuss it together considering these questions on this survey.

Foundations of Faith community Nursing course | Begins Sept. 9
     Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course, a collaboration with Augustana University, Sanford and Avera Faith Community Nursing Centers,  is open to persons of all denominations. This is an opportunity to help nurses and congregations who are interested in working or volunteering in this way.  See this flyer and get the details and registration info.

LaGonave Alive! comedy event | September 11
    LaGonave Alive! is a nonprofit organization established to bring HOPE. HEALTH. HAPPINESS. to the people of the island of LaGonave, Haiti. Bruce & Sharon Blumer are the co-founders of the organization. Join this clean comedy event on September 11, 2022, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Sioux Falls, SD, featuring comedian Tim Boyd, with music by Randy Hedge. Tickets are $25. Get the details here. 

COMING UP 

Rural Ministry Coaching cohort online | Sept. 13
    As part of the Dakotas Conference effort to encourage and strengthen rural ministry, we will be conducting coaching cohort calls via Zoom beginning  September 2022. Our Dakotas Connection Initiative (DCI) will be funding these calls through our Lilly Foundation Grant. The first call will be Saturday morning, September 13,  at 12:30 p.m. central time , 11:30 a.m. mountain time. The call will be co-hosted by Al Roll, DCI grant manager, and Zach Kingery, DCI Steering Team leader. Join at this Zoom link. 

Belonging webinar series | Begins September 13
     As experiences of division, isolation, and despair grow, belonging brings us connection, encouragement, and hope. The Ministry Lab is delighted to share eight fabulous presenters on seven aspects of belonging. Join these webinars on Sept. 13 and 20, Oct. 4, 11, and 25, Nov. 1 and 8, at 2pm Central, 1pm Mountain. Dakotas UMC clergy can take 50 percent off the registration price as part of our ongoing efforts to support clergy well-being. Register today!

National Day of Volunteer Training | Sept. 24 at Fargo First UMC
    Fargo First UMC is hosting National Day of Volunteer Training sponsored by Download Youth Ministry on September 24. The cost for this all inclusive training is $199.00. It is one price for your entire group. Join us for a great morning of training and lunch and fellowship afterwards. Register now.

Leadership Institute | Sept. 28-30 
    Are you headed to the Leadership Institute at the Church of Resurrection and want to share travel arrangements?  Share your travels plans and reach out to others here. The Leadership Institute, a conference designed to equip, encourage, and inspire ministry leaders like you from all over the country and around the globe. You’ll experience: meaningful worship, eight powerful keynote speakers, time for prayer, reflection, networking, team building, and more. Add the Pre-Institute option to your in-person Leadership Institute experience and choose from over 40 breakout sessions focused on specific ministry topics with practical ideas you can take back and adapt to your context regardless of your church’s size. Get the details at li.cor.org.

Rural ministry fall gathering | October 28-29
    The Dakotas Annual Conference is pleased to announce a 2022 Rural Ministry Fall Gathering on October 28-29, 2022, in Mobridge, South Dakota, at the Wrangler Inn.  A block of rooms has been save at the Wrangler Inn for attendees.  Please call 888-618-5318 to reserve a room under Dakotas UMC. The event will begin Friday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m., central time, with fellowship followed by worship at 7:00 p.m., a keynote address, and a brief review and discussion about the Dakotas Connection Initiative.  Saturday, October 29, beginning at 7:30 a.m., will include sessions on learning, sharing, and planning.  Register now.

Lay Training 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 28-20, 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. 

North Central Jurisdictional Conference | 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. 

Clergy Benefits Academy | November 14-16
    Clergy Benefits Academy sponsored by Wespath for clergy in the Dakotas Annual Conference under appointment in a local church. Clergy Benefits Academy returns to offer a wonderful in-person experience in Colorado on November 14-16, 2022!  A great opportunity to include your spouse and/or your colleagues in learning and connection in a beautiful location. The Board of Pensions and our Area clergy well-being initiative are partnering to cover up to $1500 of the expenses for you or up to $2000 for both you and your spouse! Register by October 14, 2022. Contact Leana Stunes with questions about funding. 

Annual Conference Special session | November 19, 2022
    Bishop Deborah Kiesey issued the following letter, 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.

RESOURCES

Ask The UMC | Tackling disaffiliation questions

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the third installment of the "Is The United Methodist Church Really…?" series, Ask The UMC addresses questions related to the future of the church and disaffiliation, including the recent Judicial Council ruling on what the Book of Discipline allows. These include recurring questions that reflect misperceptions or misinformation that some congregations are receiving as they discern their next steps. Read story. Read Part 1 on theology and pensions. Read Part 2 on human sexuality.

Are you ready to invite your community this Christmas?
    Advent is not too far off, and when it arrives, people will be searching for a place of welcome and acceptance where they can belong. Take advantage of customizable outreach resources, from United Methodist Communicaitons, such as banners, postcards and more to provide a warm invitation. A wide variety of designs, messages and languages are available! Order now.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Solar Oven Partner Director | Apply by  September 15, 2022
    Are you called to serve as the next director of the Solar Oven Partners ministry?  Solar Oven Partners has empowered families through solar cooking and water pasteurization since the year 2000.  SOP is looking for a full time director. View the job description.

Storm Mountain Center Site Director | Apply by Sept. 14
    The Camp and Retreat Ministries of Dakotas Annual Conference is seeking an experienced professional to lead and manage Storm Mountain Center. With newly installed full-internet access, Storm Mountain Center is a secluded 247-acre wilderness retreat and summer camp located 20 minutes outside of Rapid City, South Dakota, in a rocky mountain valley of the Black Hills. This growing ministry serves nearly 3,000 people annually through traditional summer camps and a year-round retreat center. This is a full time, exempt position with an anticipated start date in fall of 2022, though actual start date is flexible. The ideal candidate is a team player who understands ministry as a lifestyle and hospitality as a calling. Experience with the American Camp Association is preferred but not required. A full job description can be found here.  To apply, send a letter of interest along with a resume and salary requirements to: Keith Shew, Dakotas-Minnesota Area Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries, 122 W Franklin Ave, #400, Minneapolis, MN 55404, or e-mail here. Ph. 612.230.6130. Applications accepted through 9/14/2022. 

Dakotas Conference Assistant Benefits Coordinator  | Apply now
    The Dakotas Conference Benefits Office is 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. Job details here. Deadline for submitting resume is September 1, 2022. 

Executive Director | Center for Connectional Resources and Administration
    Come work with us! The Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is hiring a new position. The executive director will join a team with a culture of excellence, creativity, and respect, to serve our churches. They will manage finance and administration matters in support of our mission to equip and support congregations across the Dakotas. Please send resume and cover letter to Kelsey Morgan in the foundation office.

Executive Director of Finance and Administration
    The Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is seeking an experienced financial professional to partner in leading and stewarding the vision and resources of the Annual Conference. The Executive Director of Finance and Administration is a full-time, exempt position. A full description and list of qualifications can be found at here.  Interested applicants should send a resume and professional references along with a letter describing qualifications for this role to kelsey.morgan@dkmnmf.org. Applications will be received until October 1, 2022.

Sturgis UMC After-School Ministry Coordinator 
    This part-time position creates, leads, plans, and implements a well-organized, exciting, character-building, developmentally appropriate, Christ-centered, after-school ministry for grades K-4. Please see details on the Sturgis (SD) UMC website here.

Technology Coordinator | Downtown Mitchell First UMC
   Downtown First United Methodist Church has an opportunity for you! In this part-time role, the Head Technology Coordinator will oversee the technology for worship, presentations, livestream, and radio broadcasts. You must be available for Sunday morning services and other services as needed (funerals, weddings etc.). Salary will depend on your skills, but we are willing to train the right individual. For more information and to download the application, click here.