THIS WEEK

Pray with us | February 23-March 1
   Jesus be with us. We need your love, grace, and guidance. Help us to be like you, open up our hearts, cultivate your generous spirit in us. We pray for all of God's people, but especially these persons.

Surprise the World |  Week three Eat 
     Bishop Laurie Haller and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet invite you to join the 2021 Lenten Study, Surprise the World: 5 Habits of Highly Missional People by Michael Frost. This week we share Eat with a video message from Rev. Rebecca Trefz.  All of the videos will be posted here to download or view. Small group study guides are posted here, as well as print copies of the messages. If you are looking for additional resources to supplement these, you can find more here.  View the message from Rev. Bob Ruedebusch for chapter three, Bless and week two of the study here.

2020 Statistics | Due February 28 
     The Statistical Tables provide meaningful information regarding the health of a local church. These tables are completed annually by February 28th and are reported on our website and in the Journal. Call 605-990-7004 or email statistician@dakotasumc.org if you would like further information. 

Elisha Intership | Apply by March 1, 2021
     Are you a college student interested in vocational ministry? The Elisha Project is an internship program that allows the opportunity for students to explore, discern their call, and discuss with mentors and peers, where God is calling them. Students who have completed at least one year of college, completed the application process, and are selected by the Elisha committee will be assigned to a church and mentor. 

 UMHEF scholarships | Apply by March 1
     The deadline is fast approaching for students to submit applications for United Methodist Higher Education Founcation (UMHEF) scholarships. Scholarships offered by UMHEF are separate from those offered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Applicants must be members of The United Methodist Church and planning to attend a United Methodist-related school, college, university, or seminary for the 2021-2022 school year. Get the details. 

From Social Media to Social Ministry | March 4 webinar with Nona Jones 
    Learn with Pastor Nona Jones, the globally renowned expert on social media ministry. Nona will provide her unique point of view on the age of digital discipleship from her bestselling book From Social Media to Social Ministry.  You’ll learn practical steps to take your church’s ministry and discipleship to the next level, into the digital age. Join Nona Jones, Facebook’s head of global-faith based partnership’s as we learn how to use on-line tools to attract and disciple people in your community in brand new ways. Register for the webinar, hosted by the West Ohio Conference, at a rate of $40.  View a recording of  a webinar with Nona Jones , hosted by the Texas Conference, on February 11, 2021. 

Soul Fill-up | Wednesdays 8 a.m. mountain time, 9 a.m. central time
     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. central time, 8:00 a.m. mountain time.

COMING UP

Breaking through Gridlock |  Conflict resolution workshop
    Did you miss the January and February sessions? Catch the sesssion on March 11. 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 conflict resolution workshop, led by LeaderWise. Attend virtually on  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

Excellence in Leadership Scholarship | Apply by March 24
     The Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church and  Dakotas United Methodist Foundation are happy to partner with General Board of Higher Education  and Ministry to offer matching dollars for this scholarship. This scholarship opportunity is designated for full-time students seeking a Master of Divinity degree, and are enrolled at one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries or schools of theology.  Applications will be accepted through March 24, 2021, get the details here. If you have any questions, please contact Diane Weller.

Merit Scholarships | Apply by April 1
    The Dakotas Conference and Foundation support those entering their  call to ministry and invite seminary students to apply for a Merit Scholarship. Scholarships are awarded each year to seminary students showing exceptional promise or achievement in preparation for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church and have a connection to the Dakotas Conference. In previous years, close to $100,000 has been available for distribution. Scholarship amounts are dependent upon the number of applicants and funds available.  If you have any questions, please contact Diane Weller. Apply here. 

AC 2021 | June 11-12 
    The Dakotas Conference Session Committee invites you to attend the June 11-12 event happening in a hybrid format. The hybrid format will feature an opportunity to gather for business, in-person on Friday, June 12, 20201, at one of these four locations: First United Methodist Church, Fargo, North Dakota; McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, North Dakota; First United Methodist Church, Rapid City, South Dakota; Sioux Falls Convention Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Sioux Falls Convention Center will serve as the broadcast site, with all speakers and videos being broadcast to the three other locations. The agenda for Friday will focus on business with voting taking place at each location. Saturday, June 12, 2021, will be a day of equipping and learning. Participants can join in-person at the Sioux Falls Convention Center or from their own device virtually. All sessions, wether you attend in-person or virtually, will have an interactive feature with the presenters and audience.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES

UMCOR responding to winter storms| donate here
     Millions of people have been without electricity, water and power in the state of Texas and now the effects of the storm are busted pipes in homes and churches. The Texas Annual Conference is already helping, but needs your prayers, time and generous donations. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has worked with conference disaster relief coordinators to provide immediate funding and long-term support since the winter storm led to power outages and burst pipes across Texas and other southern states. People can support recovery efforts by giving to UMCOR's U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery Advance #901670. When you donate to UMCOR 100% of your donation goes to serve those in need. 

Clergy record free music videos for Lenten season | Access here
    he Revs. Yohan Go and Juhee Lee of the New England Conference worked with musicians to record 47 songs and make them available on Google Drive for any church that needs music to use freely. To download the free hymns and special music, click here.  All of those songs are from United Methodist hymnals, so any church with a CCLI license can use them for its online worship without worrying about copyright.

Dismantling Racism | Lent devotions by our bishops
    Each week of Lent and every day of Holy Week, a United Methodist Bishop will offer a short devotion. The Council of Bishops invites the people of The United Methodist Church to a season of introspection and self-examination. Together this Lent, we will confess and fast from the sin of racism, discrimination, oppression and exclusion and feast on the beauty and blessing of the diversity of God’s Church.

Interfaith Federal Credit Union (formerly United Methodist Credit Union) offers PPP assistance | Details here
     Interfaith FCU is ready to assist you with your Paycheck Protection Program application and loan.  Find the details and resources here.  Did you know that any church or congregation members of the Dakotas conference is eligible to open an account with Interfaith? Contact Interfaith FCU here. 

2020 Journal published | Access here
    The 2020 Dakotas Conference Journal is now published. You can access the journal and view it online here. You can order print copies at this link. You can also download a PDF version here. 

2021 Camping season | Register now
    Registration for the 2021 camping season is open at dakcamps.org. All registration and information for the 2021 camping season will be digital. There will be no printed camping brochure. You will also notice adjustments to the cancelation policy, but the incentives for campers and camperships are still in place.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Asbury UMC | Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
    Asbury United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is currently accepting applications for a Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. The Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries develops, directs, and evaluates the youth/young adult education program with the goal of making disciples for the transformation of the world at Asbury United Methodist Church. This is a 20-hours per week position. A full job description can be found here: http://sfasbury.org/about-us/staff-openings. Please email a resume to info@sfasbury.org or mail it to the church at 2425 S Western Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.

Yankton First UMC | Praise Team Leader
    The Praise Team Leader at First United Methodist Church in Yankton, SD will provide vocal and musical leadership to the Sunday morning contemporary worship service. This position will be responsible for the planning, preparation, and coordination of all aspects of music for the contemporary worship service. View a jog description and application details here.