THIS WEEK

Clergy Epiphany Gathering | Meet Bishop Lanette
    REGISTER TODAY! The Dakotas Conference Cabinet invites clergy to join them at the Clergy Epiphany Gathering- “Reflect, Release, and Reset” on January 8-9, 2023. We will celebrate the arrival of and meet our new Bishop and lean into the message of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Watch a fireside chat with Bishop Lanette. Register here.

Preaching Workshop | January 10-11
    You are invited to a Preaching Workshop on January 10-11, 2023, in Aberdeen, SD. Pastors Annie Carlson and Jordan Minnich Kjesbo will lead the Preaching Workshop focused on yearly planning, preparation, available resources and organizing for successful preaching whether using the lectionary or series. See details here. 

Healthflex Benefits webinar | January 10-11
    Jan. 10, 6-7 p.m. or Jan. 11, noon-1 p.m., online. If you are enrolled in HealthFlex through Wespath, learn about the many great benefits available to help you improve your well-being in 2023. Get the details and register.
    

COMING UP 

Clergy Financial Well-being Webinars | Begins January 17
    The new year brings new wisdom and goals for financial health and well-being. Mark your calendar and save the dates for these upcoming webinars: Jan.10 at 6 p.m. or Jan. 11 at noon: Wespath Well-being,  Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. or Jan. 18 at noon: Overview of Financial Health, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. or Jan. 25 at noon: Financial Goals/Assessing, Feb. 7 at 6  p.m. or Feb. 8 at noon: Clergy Taxes, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. or Feb. 23, noon-1:15 p.m. Please note that the second date has changed.

Caring Congregation | January 28-29
    Congregational Care, for both clergy and lay members, can be daunting.  The needs are many and varied and can be overwhelming.  Nationally renowned expert, Rev. Karen Lampe, will lead a 2-day Congregational Care Ministry Workshop at several host locations throughout the Dakotas Conference, that will teach congregational teams how to organize their care ministries and train participants to provide compassionate care for people experiencing a variety of life crises. Registration will open soon. 

Lay Academy | January 27-29
   Lay people are called to do more than sit in the pew, they fill out many roles in the United Methodist Church. How can you make 2023 the year you answer God's call to serve? Attend  upcoming training for laity.  Attend Discipleship and Congreational Care, Part 2 of the Lay Academy at Open Heart UMC in Rapid City, South Dakota.  The academy is being offered in collaboration with the Congregational Care worshop. Register here.

Discernment Retreats | Feb. 4 and March 4 or March 25 and April 29
    A discernment retreat is the entry point for those exploring a call to pastoral and lay ministry. Participants are equipped and inspired to serve as a leader in various ministry areas inside and outside your congregation. This 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 for these dates, times, and locations:
Part I:  Saturday, 4, 2023, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. central time; 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. mountain time.
Location:  Canyon Lake UMC, Rapid City, SD, and Zoom
Part II:  Saturday, March 4, 2023, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. central time; 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. mountain time.
Location: Canyon Lake UMC, Rapid City, SD, and Zoom 
Register here for these dates, times, and locations:
Part I:  Saturday, March 25, 2022, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. central time; 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. mountain time.
Location:  Conference Office, Mitchell, SD, and  Zoom.
Part II:  Saturday, April 29, 2023, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. central time; 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. mountain time.
Location:  Conference Office, Mitchell, SD, and Zoom .  

RESOURCES

Conference Website | Give us your feedback
    We are taking a look at the design and function of the Dakotas Conference website which also connects to the websites for other ministries like Dakotas Camp and Retreat Ministries, Dakotas and Minnesota Foundation, and Dakotas Youth Ministry. Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback. 

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season
    Congregations across the Dakotas celebrated the joy of Jesus' birth. Take a  some of the sights from United Methodists churches across North and South Dakota. If we missed your photos send them to us and we will add them. Thanks for sharing your photos and videos with us!

Human Relations Sunday | January 15, 2023
    This 2023 Special Sunday kit provides a full package of ready to use resources to help your church celebrate Human Relations Day and define how we give, why we give and the impact we make through connectional efforts. Human Relations day is January 15, 2023, but we encourage you to celebrate on a day that works best for your church. 

Across the Connection

Become a Time Boss | Jan. 10 webinar
    Church leaders, make space for self-care while challenging culture norms and creating gracious boundaries. Join Rev. Nicole Havelka, a leadership coach and mindful meditation teacher, on Jan. 10, 2-3:30 p.m., online. The workshop that will help you step back, name your self-care needs and priorities, empower you to manage your time for work-life balance, and introduce you to mindfulness practices that will sustain you through stress-filled times and spark transformation. Learn more and register.

Online Certification Opportunities | Begin in January
    A new cycle of online ministry certification courses is set to begin Jan. 16, 2023, at BeADisciple.com. BeADisciple.com is part of the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College and has offered quality online educational experiences with roots in Wesleyan theology since 2006. Full information is available online.  

Scholarships Available for United Methodist Students!
    Applications are now open for scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Every year, UMHEF awards $2+ million to students planning to attend one of the 100+ UM-related colleges, universities, and seminaries across the country. Don’t let finances get in the way of achieving your dreams of a quality education! Apply by March 1 at https://umhef.org/apply. (Scholarships from UMHEF are separate from those offered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.)

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