THIS WEEK

Tree of Life grand opening | July 26
    Tree of Life has a new building and a new look. A grand opening is planned for July 26, 2023. If you are coming to the grand opening you can bring any prom attire to donate. We were gifted with about 45 prom dresses during Annual Conference, and more will help. It is only with the help of our generous donors that Tree of Life can help the young people of our area schools have that "fairytale" night at their proms! Read an article about the new signage at Tree of Life.

Breakthrough Ministry Grants | Apply by July 31
    Breakthrough Ministry Grants: 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.

Investing In Leaders Resource Grant (Student Debt Reduction) | Apply by August 1, 2023
   Get Ready for Student Loan Repayments to resume! LSS Financial Counseling continues to provide guidance for clergy in the Dakotas and Minnesota annual conferences  - which for some has resulted in the forgiveness of educational debt through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Read this LSS article to learn more about the lifting of the repayment pause and related considerations. Apply by August 1 for the Investing in Leaders Resource Grant, formerly known as Student Debt Reduction Grant. First-time applicants are considered first. Applicants must have completed personal financial education and worked with a financial loan repayment counselor (at least one session). If you need more information about connecting with a student loan repayment counselor, please contact Area Director of Clergy Well-Being Diane Owen at diane.owen@dkmnareaumc.org. Grant awards up to $5000 are available. Access application for first-time applicants. Access renewal application if you have applied before.

COMING UP

Lay Ministry Academy  | August 4-6 
    The upcoming Lay Academy will help strengthen your understanding and skills for planning and leading the spoken parts of worship, including preaching.  Register for training beginning at 1 p.m., Friday, August 4, and finishing early afternoon on Sunday, August 6, at Huron Riverview UMC. 

Pre-Conference Gathering for Special Session | August 8
    To get familiar with the voting procedure and the legislation, registered members of the Dakotas Annual Conference Special Session will attend a Pre-Conference Gathering Session on August 8, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. central time, and 6:30 p.m. mountain time. The session will be a Zoom webinar.

Registration open for Special Session | Register by August 11
   Bishop Lanette Plambeck has called a Special Session of the Dakotas Annual Conference for August 15, 2023, to consider the ratification of disaffiliation agreements. The Special Session will be conducted virtually via Zoom webinar beginning at 7:00 p.m., central time,  6:00 p.m., mountain time. All voting members must register. To offset costs of broadcasting the registration fee is $20.00. Register and get all the details.

2023 Virtual Mission u | Aug. 10-12
    United Women in Faith have a commitment to life-long learning. Mission u is a perfect example of how that commitment is put into action—and not just for ourselves, but to better reflect God’s love to others. This summer, do yourself a favor and attend this three-day learning adventure.  Coming up is the Virtual Mission u on August 10-12, 2023, on Zoom, access details.

Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course | Early bird registration ends August 17
    The Foundations of Faith Community Nurse (FCN) course prepares registered nurses to provide leadership as a faith community/parish nurse in a church/faith community or agency, as well as incorporate these holistic care skills into their current nursing practice. This is a collaborative course offering of Augustana University, Avera Health and Sanford Health. The course will begin with a two-day in-person event on the Augustana University campus on September 14-15, 2023, as well as a virtual option at that time. A final day wrap up and commissioning event will be held on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at the end of the 6-week course. Get the details.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Workshop |  August 25
    Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Learn more at an information session on Wednesday, June 28 and August 25, 2023. Access details.

Scripture Circles for Clergy | September start
    Scripture Circles for Clergy will take place Mondays, Sept. 11-Nov. 20; Tuesdays, Sept. 12-Nov. 21; or Wednesdays, Sept. 13-Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m.-noon CT, online. Clergy, take time to discuss and savor the original language and context of scripture in these small group experiences through a combination of spiritual direction and deep bible study.

National Day of Volunteer Training | September 23, 2023
    Fargo First UMC is once again hosting National Day of Volunteer Training through Download Youth Ministry. The date for this year's training is September 23, beginning at 9 a.m. Bring your team to this training. Current pricing is $99.00 for everyone on your team. Prices will go up on May 1. The training will be finished by noon. Fargo First UMC will be providing lunch for all attendees after the training. Please mark your calendars, register, and join us. 

Fresh Expressions | Sept. 30
    Fresh Expressions: Imagine Day is happening on September 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT at hub sites across the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences. Bring your teams and join Rev. Dr. Michael Beck as we imagine new ways to reach new people in new places.

RESOURCES

Our Living World | A series from Ask UMC
    In a six-part series, Ask The UMC explores how United Methodists seek to sustain and renew links to our living world. The meaning of the word "religion" is "relinking." Religion describes the ways human cultures have sought to create, sustain, and renew links with one another, the world around them, and the powers or reality that lies behind it all. 

Join the Dakotas-Minnesota Fresh Expressions Facebook Group
     Fresh Expressions, yes! But…” Maybe you've had that same reaction whenever you read and thought about bringing these practices into your own context. Join in the conversation about Fresh Expressions with colleagues across the Dakotas-Minnesota Area by joining the DK-MN Fresh Expressions Facebook Group. Scan the QR code to join.

Revitalize your church's social media | July 31- August 25
    Are your church’s social media accounts not getting much engagement? Do you want to learn how to transform them into vibrant channels to communicate with your congregation and community? Join United Methodist Communications for a four-week learning experience that will start July 31. Attendees will explore social media through a strategic lens, share the tools to build a social media plan and discover fresh ways to engage your audiences through social media.  Access the informaiton and register. 

Grants    

Financial Ministry Grant |  Growing generous givers
    If you are interested in learning 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 the financial health of your church 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.

NCJ Mission Council Grant | Apply by September 1
    The North Central Jurisdiction Mission is announcing that applications are now being received for grant funding for 2024. As you consider your grant submission, the Mission Council asks that you thoughtfully consider how this grant will be a benefit to the entire jurisdiction in its scope and how you intend on communicating the use of your program through the jurisdiction. Applications are due September 1, 2023. 
    
Discipleship Ministries | Ethnic Ministries Grant
    Discipleship Ministries is offering grants of up to $10,000 to support racial ethnic local churches. Deadline for applying is September 30, 2023. 

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.

Ministry / Office Assistant | Brandan Celebration UMC
    Celebration UMC in Brandon, SD is now hiring for the position of Ministry/ Office Assistant. We are seeking a Christian, competent, energetic, motivated, and personable ministry assistant to join our dynamic team. This person will work directly with the pastoral team to provide personalized administrative and ministry support in a well-organized and timely manner. Duties include coordinating church communications, assisting with special projects, updating online and social media content, managing facility rentals, and assisting pastors with tasks essential to the ministry of the church. If you are interested in this position, please contact Addy Kenkel at pastoraddy@alliancecom.net.

Conference Position | Assistant Benefits and HR Administrator
    The Dakotas Conference Benefits Office is seeking a full-time Assistant Benefits and Human Resources Administrator to assist with administering the conference clergy and lay staff benefits programs and human resource functions. The full job description can be found here. To apply, email your resume and references to Leana Stunes at leana.stunes@dakotasumc.org.

Worship Arts Director  | Legacy UMC
     Legacy is looking for a full-time Worship Arts Director, a person with a visible and contagious love for Jesus lived out in passionate worship. This person should be a good communicator with a creative spirit, possessing the musical ability to lead vocally and instrumentally and the leadership to develop the gifts and talents of a diverse team. See the full job description here.