1. Scholarships strengthen   Many seminary students, our future pastors across the UMC, are faced with high debt and financial insecurity. The need for scholarship support from their home conferences can make the difference between failure and success. Natalie Buck, a first-year seminary student at Candler School of Theology, is a very grateful recipient of our care and support from here in the Dakotas Conference. Natalie is working toward her Master of Divinity degree. She said, "The generous support I receive from the people of the Dakotas Conference and Foundation makes it possible to focus more energy on my studies, instead of jobs off-campus. I still have a part-time job at Candler, and at a local UMC, but they enrich my studies, instead of distracting. I'm so grateful for the excellent support I receive; The Dakotas Conference can be proud for supporting students so well."

2.  Advent Resources     For 2017, Abingdon Press and The Upper Room are introducing nine new studies.
Included are studies emphasizing Joseph and creation care, devotions specifically for families and a coloring book. While several of the studies are for churchwide or small group use, all can be used for individual devotions.

Click here for details.

3.  Global Migration Sunday  

There are 65 million people displaced in the world today. That’s more than at any time since World War II. As United Methodists, we have a long history of walking alongside people impacted by war, violence, economic hardship, persecution, and political unrest. Sunday, December 3, 2017 we as United Methodists come together around the world for prayers about the global migration crisis and for collecting a special offering to address suffering caused by forced migration.
These worship resources support recognition of this Global Migration Sunday.
Additional resources and graphics to support Global Migration Sunday are available from UMCmigration.org »

4. Christmas Open House on the Lake    LIving Waters Retreat Center at Lake Poinsett is hosting a Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 2nd, 2017, from 2-5pm. There will be goodies to eat, gingerbread house decorating, a candy cane hunt, Christmas ornament making, Christmas cookie decorating, and more. All are welcome!
RSVP here is appreciated, but not required. Please include the number of guests planning to come and the name of your group. Alternatively, you can call your RSVP in at 605-983-5547.

5. Conference Lenten Study announced   The Dakotas appointive cabinet will present a Lenten study for Lent 2018 around the book "Make a Difference", by Rev. Jim Harnish. Some folks will remember Jim Harnish from the teaching sessions he led at Annual Conference 2016 in Sioux Falls, SD.  In Make a Difference, Harnish helps you answer the questions "How can I contribute to God's healing work in this world?"; and "How can I find my place to serve and make a difference?"

Drawing upon biblical wisdom and real stories of real people who have found their place to serve, he provides practical guidance to help every disciple make a difference as a participant in God's transformation of the world.

The book, e-book, and leader's guide are available from Cokesbury.com.