THIS WEEK

Pray with us | February 9-15
    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 Gods people, but especially these persons. 

Surprise the World |  Bishop Laurie Haller's Ash Wednesday message
   Bishop Laurie Haller and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet invite all Dakotas United Methodists to join an all-conference Lenten book study, based on Michael Frost’s book Surprise the World: Five Habits of Highly Missional People. Available today is Bishop Haller's Ash Wednesday message, access to a script of the message, and study guide for chapters one and two.  We encourage you to get the book for your own study (Cokesbury.com or Amazon) and form small groups in your church. 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. Are you hosting an online study group and would be willing to invite others? Please send us the information so we can share it with others. Send information to this e-mail. 

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.

Breaking through Gridlock |  Conflict resolution workshop
    Did you miss the first session on January 14? Join us to catch the second sesssion on February 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 four-session workshop, led by Mary Kay Duchene from LeaderWise. All Dakotas Conference clergy are strongly encouraged to attend virtually on 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

Planning for Holy Week | February 11, 1 p.m. MST, 2 p.m CST
    We celebrate both during Holy Week, and this year’s services – after a year of living with a global pandemic and deep cultural divides – provide an opportunity to connect your faith communities with both spiritual traditions and each other. Join Amplify Media and presenters like Marcia McFee, for a one-hour webinar for creative and inspiring ideas as you plan Holy Week. Register here

COMING UP

Conversations across Dakotas  | February 18 
    Join us live, at 11:30 a.m. mountain time, 12:30 p.m. central time, on the Dakotas Conference Facebook page for Conversations across Dakotas. Hear an update. We will be answering questions and having conversation about ministry in the Dakotas, including the work of the Strategy Team, our new Rural Ministry Initiative, and more.  If you miss us at that exact time, we will also feature the video conversation at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Time, 7:30 p.m. Central Time, and be ready to chat live on Facebook.  #jointheconversation.

Follow-up session to BOTH / AND webinar | February 23
    Jason Moore will answer questions and provide some additional tips and resources from the January webinar BOTH/AND:  Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experiences for Online and In-Person Audiences. View a recording of the January 14, 2021 webinar here. View the handbook from the January 14, 2021 webinar here. Register for this 90-minute session on Zoom. 

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 selected by the Elisha committee will be assigned to a church and mentor. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES

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. 

The Road to Easter and other sustainable bytes |  Access Ministry Architects' resources
     For many churches, with Lent upon us, the journey to Easter begins. That journey and Easter will look different this year. How are you preparing for this season?  Ministry Architects shares several resources to help you including a free webinar, The Road to Easter, on February 18 at 12 p.m. mountain time, 1 p.m. central time; some ideas on how to celebrate Easter,  and The Sustainable Ministry podcast. 

DakYouth | 2021 activities
  The Dakotas Conference Council on Youth Ministries is happy to announce in-person events for 2021 including Youth Worker Academy in April 23-25, 2021,  at Storm Mountain; Leadership Training Camp, July 23-30, 2021, at Lake Poinsett; and DakYouth 2021, November 12-14, 2021, at Aberdeen.  Apply to become a member of CCYM, the team that plans and leads all of the DakYouth activiies! Applications are due May 2021. There are three parts to the application.  1) The application can be completed online here. 2) Each application needs to have recommendations for the applicant details here. 3) Recorded video interviews are due by May 31, 2021; details here.

South Dakota Bread for the World encourages support of Senate Bill 104 | access resources 
    South Dakota’s grocery tax is making hungry households hungrier. The tax on even $100 of food could have bought milk and bread or fruits for children. Senate Bill 104 would phase out the state’s portion of the grocery tax in small steps over five years.  Bread for the World—South Dakota urges you to ask state legislators to support SB104. To find them: sdlegislature.gov/Legislators

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, SD 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 a 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.