No This Week @ Dakotas until January 4
    We wish you a very blessed Christmas! This Week @ Dakotas will not be published on December 21 and 28. We will be taking a break to celebrate the birth of the Christ child. 

Sites and Sounds of the Season | Share with us
    Are you decorated? Do you have special Christmas tradition at your church? Please share it with us. Advent is upon us, and that means the sights and sounds of holiday decorations, cherubs, and nativities are all around us. Now it's easy to share your advent photos and short videos with the rest of the Dakotas Conference folks online. Please share your best photos from your church's events to us by e-mail. A post in facebook works, too.  More info here.

A Very Dakotas Christmas 2021 | Available December 20
    The Dakotas Conference Cabinet has prepared an online worship service, "A Very Dakotas Christmas 2021," for congregations to use December 26 or on another day. Clergy will receive an e-mail notification when the service is ready for download. This service will be casual, with United Methodists across North and South Dakota leading the worship. We invite you to enjoy worship at home from the homes of others! The service and individual elements will be available to download HERE on December 20. To view the service directly as-is, share this Vimeo link. 

COMING UP

Discernment Retreat | Jan. 8 & Feb. 5 
    Are you wondering if God is calling you? Then, attend the Discernment Retreat on January 8, 2022, and February 5, 2022, at Spearfish UMC or on Zoom. The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores: personal spiritual gifts, servant leadership, each leader's role in developing future leaders, the importance of consistent spiritual practices, the core ministries of leading, caring, and communicating, and much more. Register here. 

Foundation Christmas Appeal | Ministry Innovation Grants
The focus for our 2021 Christmas Appeal is on innovation. Ministry is changing. The way we worship today is different than it has ever been. The Foundation hopes to encourage pastors and churches to explore their creative and innovative ministry ideas by offering Ministry Innovation Grants. Please join us this Christmas in helping to fund these Ministry Innovation Grants and unleash creative ministry in the Dakotas. 
Read more about the 2021 Christmas Appeal here. 

Interfaith Day 2022 | January 13 in Pierre, SD
    On Thursday, January 13, 2022, the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota will be hosting the Fifth Annual Interfaith Day at the State Capitol in Pierre for the start of the 2022 Legislative Session. Join with faith leaders for a day at the Capitol as we stand in solidarity and pray for peace for everyone who calls South Dakota home.

Winter Connection | January 28-29 
Winter Connection is an annual event for high school and middle school youth that takes place in Bismarck, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls this winter. This is an opportunity for youth to gather, share, worship, and serve others. Each year there is a focus on a particular theme and scripture along with a unique and important component of service. Our theme for 2022 is "Gather Round/Bring it in," and our scripture is Luke 5:1.

Bible Land Exploration | Departing February 1, 2022
    Join Bishop Laurie and Rev. Gary Haller along with others from the Dakotas  and Iowa Annual Conferences on an 11-day Bible Land Exploration, starting at $3,996 from Bismarck and Fargo, ND or Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD departing on February 1, 2022. Journey to places such as Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Temple Mount, Garden of Gethsemane, Jericho, Bethlehem, Galilee, and much more!

Best of Italy and the Oberammergau Passion Play | Departing on August 15, 2022
    Join Bishop Laurie and Rev. Gary Haller along with others from the Dakotas and Iowa Annual Conferences for 12 days in Germany, Austria, and Italy. You'll explore Innsbruck, have the opportunity to see the Oberammergau Passion Play and spend time in Venice, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. Pricing starts at $5946  from Bismarck, Fargo, ND,  Rapid City, SD, or Sioux Falls, SD departing on August 15, 2022.

RESOURCES 

2022 Lenten Study | Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit
    Our relationship with God, who loves us beyond all measure is a  journey. This Lent (March 2-April 17, 2022), the Bishop and Cabinet invite all Dakotas United Methodists to join an all-conference Lenten book study. Henri Nouwen understood the spiritual life as a journey of faith and transformation that is deepened by accountability, community, and relationships. Spiritual Formation reveals Nouwen’s sage advice on how to live out the five classical stages of spiritual development. This Lent explore Nouwen’s unparalleled wisdom on how to move from the mind to the heart and live there in the center—the place where God dwells. More info here.

Human Relations Sunday | January 26
    The offering on Human Relations Sunday on Jan. 26, supports ministries of social justice and outreach like the Community Developers, Volunteer Service and Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs. The 2022 Human Relations Day Pastor and Leader’s Kit.These are digital resources that you can download, print out and insert to help promote this upcoming Sunday. 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads 

Jamestown First UMC | Director of Discipleship
    This position at Jamestown First UMC, in Jamestown, ND, will assist the Senior Pastor and the Education Committee in developing and implementing special projects and formation events. They will also coordinate Christian Education and recruit and supervise teachers and volunteers, and more. See the complete posting for this full-time position here.