Around the Conference Feb. 6
5 ways to use the 2017 Lenten study videos
The 2017 Lenten video study, featuring the cabinet members of the Dakotas Conference, is based on the book Dare to Dream, by Rev. Mike Slaughter. Each week, starting on March 1, one of the six chapters will be highlighted in video. Here are some ways to use the 2017 videos:
Have weekly lunch and learn sessions—a small or large group gathering where people bring his or her lunch, watch the video and discuss their insights.
Hold weekly informal worship gatherings—begin with song and prayer, play the video as the message for the evening, discuss the video and end with prayer.
Use the videos as a conversation starter at coffee between services each Sunday during Lent.
Open (or close) worship each Sunday during Lent with the videos. Copy or post the message with some intriguing questions to ponder during the week.
Have a weekly soup supper (or lunch) invite people from other churches and the community to view the videos and discuss them.
Join us this Lent. The videos will be posted here on our Vimeo page as they are ready.
Breakthrough Workshop: Compelling Communication
If you’ve ever wondered about how to effectively market your church, what makes a good e-newsletter, or whether live streaming worship makes sense for your congregation, then don’t miss our upcoming communications workshop! This workshop, specifically for churches in the Dakotas Conference, will be held on April 2, 2017, from 2:30pm - 6:30pm, at Huron First UMC. It will also be live-streamed to a few selected sites.
United Methodist Communications and communicators from Minnesota and the Dakotas are teaming up to equip you with best practices, practical tips, and information that will help your church reach new people and better engage with your members through strategic and purposeful communication. We promise you will leave inspired armed with ideas and best practices to employ in your own ministry setting. Click here for full information.
Discernment retreats are Feb.11 and 25
The Ministry Discernment Retreat is a one-day event, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CST) for those who are feeling CALLED to serve in ministry to others. The retreat is for anyone in the local church who would like to explore their calling. Participants will find where their gifts are best suited to serve the local church or to more intentionally serve beyond the churches four walls. Here is a list of dates and places:
January 14, 2017--Aberdeen First, Grand Forks Wesley, Sioux Falls Asbury UMC
January 21, 2017—Rapid City Canyon Lake UMC
January 28, 2017—Valley City Epworth UMC
February 4, 2017—Mitchell First, Pierre First
February 11, 2017—Fargo Flame of Faith and at Aberdeen First UMC
February 25, 2017 – Bismarck Legacy UMC
2017 advanced lay ministry courses
Everyone is invited to participate in the 2017 advanced lay ministry courses.
Click here for a detailed description of the courses.
Cost for each course is $30 payable by check to the following address: Dakotas Conference Office, Attn: Taya Swanson, PO Box 460, Mitchell, SD 57301. Dependent on the course, participants books will be mailed to you from the Dakotas Conference Office. If you have questions or need more information contact Taya Swanson by e-mail or phone 605-990-7796.
Click here to register for a course
Men's Retreat
Calling all MEN!!! Join us for a men's retreat at Storm Mountain Center on Friday and Saturday, March 3 and 4. We will begin with registration on Friday from 6 to 7 pm and conclude on Saturday at about 3:30 pm. We will use the DVD-based study "Uncommon" from Tony Dungy as our primary teaching material.
During the retreat, we will share in meals and fellowship, learn about living a high-impact, character-filled life for God, worship and praise God, and enjoy the beauty of one of our great camps. If you need a little time away to recharge your life and to get started on the path to living with true significance, join us for this great retreat!!
Pastors - please display this poster at your church and encourage men to attend this retreat. If you or someone from your church has any questions, there is contact information at the bottom of the poster.
Please RSVP to Pastor John Britt via e-mail by February 27th so SMC can plan for accommodations and food and so that we can prapare the correct supply of materials for the retreat. Thank you!! - Pastor John Britt and Pastor Karl Kroger
Myth or Fact Workshop - Stewardship
This workshop is open to church treasurers and finance committee members as well as anyone interested in giving and stewardship. This workshop will be held at Mitchell First UMC on Feb. 11, 2017, from 9:00am through 1:00pm. Lunch is provided.
Please email the Foundation office or call (605) 990-7790 so we know how many to plan for lunch.
Sponsored by the Dakotas Council of Finance & Administration, Dakotas United Methodist Foundation, and Sioux Falls First United Methodist Church.
DWU seeks development officer
Dakota Wesleyan University is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic individual to serve as a Development Officer for the Annual Fund. For details, please click here.
If you are interested, please follow the instructions on the pamphlet or contact Kitty Allen at DWU.
Rabbi Wolicki to visit and lecture at DWU
Rabbi Pesach Wolicki is the Associate Director of the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation. He has spent the last 12 years as Dean of Yeshivat Yesodei HaTorah, a post secondary academy of higher Torah learning. He is a widely respected in the world of Jewish.
education as an innovator. He is known for his engaging, enthusiastic, and interactive teaching style.
The events at DWU on March 15-16, 2017, will include: Youth Night, a 2017 Stark Lecture, and a pastor’s conference. Click here for full details.
