THIS WEEK

Fireside Chat series one | Begins this week
    Fireside chats are a time for conversation, reflection, and connection with leaders across the Dakotas Conference. We are ready to launch the first series, Our Wesleyan Way. Listen to the conversations led by Bishop Lanette Plambeck and members of the Dakotas Conference as they discuss how we live out our Wesleyan faith as United Methodists. Here are five ways you might consider using this video blog.

Dakotas Walk to Emmaus | Register deadline approaching!
    The Men's Walk #65 is April 20th - 23rd, 2023. The Women's Walk #66 is April 27th - 30th, 2023 Both are to be held at Lake Poinsett Camp. The registration deadline is April 7th for men and April 14th for women. Start registering Pilgrims now!  Click here for new forms!

Education Debt Reduction Workshop | April 18
    Explore the latest on Education Debt Reduction in a virtual workshop on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. CDT. Anyone with educational debt is invited. LSS Financial Counseling and the Dakotas-Minnesota Area UMC are providing ongoing support and workshops on federal student loans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This workshop will provide information, explore your options in repayment, and help guide your next steps. There is no charge for this informative workshop. Here is the Zoom link for the workshop registration. Get more information.

Scripture Circles | Starting April 18
    A scripture circle is a sacred time to stop, turn aside, to marinate in the original language and context. This space allows pastors to savor the Spirit without critique or agenda. Pastors’ busy schedules demand so much! The Dakotas annual conference wants to pour back into you. So we are offering a facilitated, zoom discussion based on the needs and thoughts of each clergy in the group. We have set them up as cohorts for depth of relationships and discussion. Get the details here.

April 14 registration for Lay Academy Training | Preaching & Leading Worship—Changed to Rapid City 
    Are you a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) or a lay person who would like to learn more about preaching and leading worship? The upcoming Lay Academy will help strengthen your understanding and skills for preaching and leading the spoken parts of worship. Registration is allowed through April 14. Questions? Please call or text Pastor Michele Slott at Open Heart UMC, Rapid City. 605-390-8757. Click HERE to see a sample of a previous agenda for this training.

COMING UP 

Out of the Ashes | A Service of Lament in a Season of Disaffiliation
    Join Discipleship Ministries, Thursday, April 20 at 11 a.m. CDT for an online worship experience intended to help us speak into the pain of the moment. This worship experience is the beginning of a series of opportunities to gather and share and look forward to a renewed expression of our faith and our church.

Incubator Training | April 26-28
    Join this online training, April 26-28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., central time, for an onboarding discovery process to prepare new church planters or those exploring restart church projects. Learn the skills and tools of a church planter. You will make a plan that can be put into action.

Register for camp | April 30 early bird deadline
    Summer 2023 is just around the corner! Experience Christ, creation, and community at our three camp locations. Register before April 30 and receive a $25 camp store credit. Save even more by bringing a friend with you to camp.

Clergy women's retreat | April 30-May 2 
    Come and enjoy the serene surroundings, worship, conversation and company of other United Methodist clergywomen at this year’s retreat. Located outside Marvin, SD, the Abbey of the Hills. Bible women: Their stories of art will be the theme, April 30 to May 2, 2023. Get the details and register here.

Date change—begins May 1 | Codependent No More
    The date has changed for Codependent No More: Group Coaching for Clergy to Mondays, May 1-Aug. 14 (except May 29, June 12, and 19), noon-1 p.m., online. Clergy, take this time for your own health. For 12 sessions, join this small group and gain tools to end codependence.

2023-24 Practical Church Leadership Program | Apply by May 1
    Applications for this graduate certificate program through Dakota Wesleyan University are now being accepted; 85 percent of the $7,500 tuition cost is funded. Apply by May 1.

Festival of Homeletics | May 15-19
    “Preaching Hope for a Weary World” is the festival’s response to the hardships and heaviness that have been our reality the last few years. Members of the Dakotas Cabinet invite you to join them in Minneapolis, May 15-19 to hear from outstanding preachers from diverse backgrounds, traditions, and ministry settings. For those who might be interested in coming a day early, you are invited to join Bishop Lanette and some of the cabinet at the Minnesota Twins / Chicago Cubs game on Sunday, May 14 (Mother's Day). Get the details here.

Called special session | Aug. 15
    After consultation with the Dakotas Appointive Cabinet, Bishop Lanette Plambeck is calling a special session of the Dakotas Annual Conference for August 15, 2023, beginning at 7:00 p.m. central time and 6:00 p.m. mountain time. The session will be entirely virtual. This will be the final called conference for disaffiliation in 2023.

RESOURCES

2023 Mission u
    Don’t miss Mission u 2023! 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.Participate in one of three sessions: Southern Site: July 14-16, 2023, Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD, access details; Northern Site: July 20-22, 2023, University of Jamestown, Jamestown, ND, access details; Virtual: August 10-12, 2023, on Zoom, access details.

Native American Ministries pastor and leader kit
    Explore these resources to learn how and why United Methodists celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday. Invite your faith community to give generously, knowing that half of the gifts remain in the conference to support local Native American ministries; create programs and resources; and educate and support seminary scholarships for United Methodist Native Americans. Core resources are available in multiple languages.

Grants

Breakthrough Ministry Grants | Apply by April 30
    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) | 2023 application is now open
    The 2023 application is now open for the Investing in Leaders Resource Grant, formerly known as Student Debt Reduction Grant. First time applicants are considered first. Demonstration of completing personal financial education and working with a financial loan repayment counselor (at least one session) are both required. 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. Applications are due Aug. 1. Notification of grant awards will occur by Sept. 15. Access application for first time applicants. Access renewal application if you have applied before.

Clergy Well-Being Grants | Apply now
    The 2023 Clergy Well-Being Resource Grant committee is now accepting applications! The Dakotas-Minnesota Area offers our clergy this grant of up to $1,000 for first time applicants and up to $500 for those who received a grant in 2022. Funds could be used for a health coach, spiritual director, gym membership, hiking boots, a creative arts experience, a course on resilience or trauma, and more.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Dakota Wesleyan University | Campus Pastor
    Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota (a university affiliated with the United Methodist Church) invites applications for the full-time position of Campus Pastor. Start date is negotiable, but a June or July 2023 start date is highly desirable. See the job description and application here.