Dakotas United Methodists celebrate birth of Jesus amid pandemic | View article here
    Cancellations of events and celebrations have been prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic did not stop United Methodists across North and South Dakota from celebrating the Christ child's birth. Churches gathered outdoors, in parking lots, in cars, and virtually this Christmas. Arthur UMC was featured on the news on Christmas Eve for their drive-up worship service. Carolers paraded through town on a float from the United Methodist Church in Irene. The parking lot was home to singing by candle light at St Paul's UMC in Jamestown. The United Methodist Church in Selby, South Dakota, held a live nativity with a meal on the go. These are just four examples of the many ways that United Methodists across the Dakotas Conference celebrated this Christmas. View photos from across the conference here. 

Pray with us | January 5-11
    Lord, thank you for grace. Please help us move beyond the hurdles that trip us up and give us the strength and wisdom to look up and see the hope we run toward in Christ. We pray for all of God's people, especially these persons.

Reach Again: Seeing opportunities larger than obstacles | Jan. 7
     Join us online on Thursday, Jan. 7 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., mountain time, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. central time for this final REACH! webinar. The session will be led by Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, Jr. of Camphor Memorial UMC in St. Paul. What has been keeping us from our first love? Learn steps and practices to get through the trauma of the past year, and explore how the church can reclaim its place in the arch of hope. Register here

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. to 2 p.m., mountain time,  11 a.m. to 3 p.m. central 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

Breaking through Gridlock |  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 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

Digital Campus Initiative | Janaury 24 application deadline
     Start your digital campus in 2021! COVID-19 has made digital church an option for many that will not go away. Even as we re-gather in our buildings we will need to be "both and" churches. This is an opportune time to grow virtual ministry and the Dakotas-Minnesota Area is creating a pathway for qualified leaders to start and formalize a digital campus in 2021. Apply for a  $3,000 grant, by January 24, 2021, to receive training, connect with leaders, grant funds to launch your digital campus. Training will take place on Saturdays during the month of February. Grants will be limited to 10 congregations from the Dakotas Conference. Get the details and application here. 

Surprise the World | 2021 Lenten book study
    This Lent (February 17-April 4, 2020), the Bishop and Cabinet invite all Dakotas United Methodists to join an all-conference Lenten book study. Beginning on Feb. 10, 2029, each week in the Monday @ Dakotas e-newsletter, we will post a new video introducing these practices, based on Michael Frost’s book Surprise the World: Five Habits of Highly Missional People.

Elisha Intership | Apply by March 1, 2021
    Applications open now. 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.

Prayers are requested for Rev. Kathy Hartgraves, who serves in the Pacific Northwest Conference at Garden Street UMC in Bellingham, Washington and previously serves at Dell Rapids UMC and Mitchell Downtown First UMC in South Dakota. Kathy has been dealing with severe diverticulitis and spent time in the hospital during the holidays. 

 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.