COVID guidance | Statement from Bishop and Cabinet
    Bishop Laurie Haller and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet send a message to all the clergy and laity in the Dakotas Conference during the recent surge of COVID. They write, "As the spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus continues across our beloved states, nation and world, we are writing to give both a word of encouragement and also cautionary guidance as we seek to care for our churches and communities throughout the Dakotas." Read and download the full statement here. 

Breakthrough Ministry Grants | Apply by January 31
   Breakthrough Ministry grants are provided through the generosity of United Methodist Churches across the Dakotas who faithfully give through their apportionments, Foundation funds, Endowments and Annual Conference Miracle Offerings. Projects supported through Breakthrough Ministry grants include outreach ministries, church/school partnerships, young adult/campus ministries, and culture of call. More info here.

Practical Steps for Loan Forgiveness Workshop | January 31, 1pm CST / 12pm MST
   Do you have educational debt? Are you aware of the changes coming from the federal government around loan forgiveness and forbearance deadlines? Do you know how to start the application process for loan forgiveness? Join the FREE virtual workshop for clergy and anyone with federal student loans serving the public sector (including churches). More info and registration here. 

COMING UP

SPRC/PPRC Training | Feb. 7 or 8, 6:30-8:30pm CST / 5:30-7:30pm MST
    We invite the members of Pastor Parish Relationship committee to join the Dakotas Cabinet in a virtual Pastor Parish Relations Committee (S/PPRC) training event on the evenings of Monday February 7th or Tuesday, February 8th. The training will cover the appointment process, structure and purpose of the S/PPRC, helping and supporting your pastor effectiveness and more, plus a Q&A. Pastors and church offices, please ensure that your S/PPRC chair and committee members  receive this information. Please register here. 

BOM Candidacy Forum | February 15
   Are you unsure of all the steps and what is next on your journey as a candidate for ministry?  Here is your chance to ask questions and get answers! Join a Zoom call with Rev.  Sara McManus, the registrar for the Dakotas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, on Tuesday,  February 15, 2022, at 12pm MST / 1pm CST.  Get the details here. 

Men's retreat at Storm Mountain Center | Feb. 18-19, 2022
   Men of the Dakotas! Join us for our annual men’s retreat as we study Play the Man by Mark Batterson. Using this 4-session DVD-based curriculum we will wrestle with how our culture lost its definition of manhood, leaving generations of men and men-to-be confused about their roles, responsibilities, relationships, and the reason God made them men. From there we will come to understand what it means to be a man of God as we study Batterson’s seven virtues of manhood. Check out the information here and join us for the retreat.

Financial Foundations | Feb. 21 webinar
   Join the quarterly webinar at 7pm CST / 6pm MST. This quarter's topic is "Investigating your Balance Sheet." The balance sheet is often the most ignored financial statement. It's not nearly as exciting as a budget report or statement of profit and loss, but understanding your church's balance sheet can lead you to making some important decisions. Register here.

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. Reknowned author 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.

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 

Apply for an Elisha or Samuel Internship
    The Elisha Project is an internship program for students who have completed at least one year of college, which allows the opportunity for students to explore, discern their call, and discuss with mentors and peers where God is leading them. The Samuel Project is a 10-week summer program for high school students, specifically seniors before or after their senior year, who already feel God's call to ministry. Apply by March 1, 2022 here.

Scholarships from United Methodist Higher Education Foundation | Applications open
    The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) is accepting scholarship applications for the 2022-2023 academic year. Apply between January 1 – March 1, 2022. Students who are members of The United Methodist Church and are planning to attend a United Methodist-related school, college, university, or seminary full-time, are eligible to apply.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads 

Rapid City First UMC | Contemporary Worship Leader
   Rapid City First United Methodist Church is seeking applicants for the position of Contemporary Worship Leader. This part-time position is tasked with leading contemporary worship music in a way that is appealing, inviting, engaging and worshipful. We expect the discipleship, musicianship, professionalism and care of this person will continue to help our congregation and music team grow in spirit and in knowledge. See full job description and contact info here.

Fargo Calvary | Discipleship and Development Pastor/Director
     Fargo Calvary is seeking a Director of Discipleship and Development. This position is 15-20 hours per week. Calvary’s Discipleship and Development Ministries include the Calvary Ministry Institute, leadership development program, life/small groups, Bible studies, and life coaching programs (fitness, finance, and marriage). Email a cover letter and resume to hr@calvaryfargo.com. View a detailed job description here. 

Large Projector Screen available
     Steele/Tuttle United Methodist Church in North Dakota has a screen that is electric. The church replaced the large screen with a televsion. If any church is interested in the screen they can have it. Call  701-516-7407 for more details.