Pray with us | December 8-14
   Lord,  may we see you in all we do. All glory goes to you.  We pray for all of God's people especially these persons.

Mental Health and Care: Coping with stress during this season and beyond | Dec. 1, 3, 8, and 10, 2-3 p.m., online
    Panels of therapeutic and pastoral experts will lead four webinars to discuss the practical and spiritual disciplines needed for surviving this season, COVID-19, and the inequalities it has exacerbated.

Sights and sounds of the season | Submit here
     It can be a challenge to celebrate the coming of the Christ child amid a global pandemic. United Methodists across the Dakotas are creatively navigating ways to bring the Good News to all.  We would love to share how your church is celebrating the birth of Jesus. Send us your stories, photos, video and more by e-mail, text 605-770-8540, or upload files here. 

Soul Fill-up | Join us here 
     Soul Fill-up is a mid-week time for church leaders to slow down. Let us pour into your soul and refill your cup during guided scripture reading, prayer, and meditation led by the spiritual directors of the Higher Ground program. There is nothing to do or prepare - just set this 30-40 minutes aside for yourself and join us! Click here to join, Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. CT, 8:00 a.m. MT.

Builders Club |  Call for Wahpeton Evergreen UMC
     Builders Club supports the building projects of four churches each year through the donations of hundreds of people across the Dakotas Conference. The goal of Builders Club is to assist churches in need of financial support for their building, remodel, or expansion projects. By providing support for the building projects of churches, it allows them to grow current—or begin new—ministries. Individuals and congregations are called to support Wahpeton Evergreen UMC.   Join | Donate online

Join us for Christmas TV worship | View broadcast schedule
     On December 24 and 25 the Dakotas Conference will present a one-hour TV Christmas worship. The worship service is not meant to replace local congregations Christmas worship experience, but to insure those who do not worship online and cannot attend in-person, will have a Christmas worship experience. Bishop Ough will deliver the message and music will be provided Dakota Wesleyan University music groups.

Discover your ministry gifts this January | Basic Lay Servant Ministry Course
     Rev. Andy Bartel will lead a virtual Ministry Discernment Workshop this January. This workshop is the basic course and entry point for Lay Servant Ministry. Attending this online wokshop, happening January 9 and 16, 2021, at 10 a.m.-2 p.m., mountain time, will help participants focus their time in areas they are best suited to serve God.

Both/And with Jason Moore |  Jan. 14
    As we look to a future when we can worship in-person again, we will need to prepare to maximize hybrid worship experiences for both online and in-person audiences.Jason Moore, with Midnight Oil Productions, will present a 90-minute webinar with time for Q & A on January 14 at 8-10 a.m., mountain time,  9-11 a.m.,  central time. The Dakotas-Minnesota Area is making this opportunity available at no cost to you. Register here

Online youth ministry training courses | January 18 – February 26, 2021
    Online Youth ministry training courses begin January 18th The Institute for Discipleship and Youth Ministry Institute are partnering to offer an all-online Certification in Youth Ministry that is designed to equip lay people who work with youth in local churches both paid staff and volunteer. Working with youth can sometimes create a feeling of isolation among those who serve them. Past studies have noted that up to 80% of youth pastors have reported feeling unqualified and frequently discouraged. A recent Certification student noted that I really liked the interaction with the other students in my courses - it made me feel not so alone in the journey.  View details

Advanced Lay Speaking online preaching course | Coming 2021
     Rev. Andy Bartel, who is a Dakotas Conference elder and the lead pastor at St. John's UMC in Anchorage, Alaska is offering a preaching workshop. The virtual workshop is the official Lay Servant Ministry Advanced class through the General Board of Discipleship. There are five modules, each two hours in length. The online course will take place Sundays from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., central time during the month of January or February 2021.

Breaking through Gridlock | 2021 Conflict resolution workshop
    Whether you want to change the world in big ways, or just be able to have deeper relationships with people who don’t think like you, conversation is the key. And yet, especially these days, conversations quickly get stuck—entrenched into our own small worldviews, assured we are right in our thinking. Breaking Through Gridlock: The Power of Conversation in a Polarized World, is a four-session workshop, led by Mary Kay Duchene from LeaderWise. All Dakotas Conference clergy are strongly encouraged to attend virtually n 2021 on January 14, February 11, March 11 and April 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.—1:30 p.m., central time, 10:00 a.m. —12:30 p.m. mountain time. Register here
     

In our hearts | Charlie Garriott
    We lift up in our hearts the family and friends of Charlie Garriott. Charlie Garriott of Valentine, Nebraska passed away on November 25, 2020. Charlie is the husband of Linda Garriott, director at Tree of Life Ministry Center in Mission, South Dakota.

 Job Announcement | Legacy UMC
     Legacy is seeking a Legacy Kids Assistant Director to lead the ministry from infants to 5th graders. The position is available to begin immediately. More information can be found at https://legacyumc.org/jobs.

Job Announcement | Watertown First UMC
     Watertown First United Methodist Church is now seeking a Director of Youth Ministry. This position is to be filled immediately, and can be full or part time with compensation dependent upon qualifications. More information and applications can be found here:  https://watertownfirst.church/employment/ 

Job Announcement | Sunnycrest UMC
     Sunnycrest United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, SD is seeking an Administrative Assistant/Office Manager to provide administrative support to the pastor, staff and various committees. Duties include designing and publishing church materials, maintaining accurate financial records and greeting church members and visitors. Click here for job description. Seeking someone with a professional and positive manner to join this vibrant and growing church.  Bilingual skill of the English and Spanish languages is a plus. Compensation will be based on experience. To apply, send your resume to office@sunnycrest.org.