THIS WEEK

Announcing MMIR webinar | August 17
    The Dakotas Conference of United Women in Faith presents an webinar exploring the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on Saturday, August 17 - 10:00-11:30 am Central, 9:00-10:30 am Mountain. Lily Mendoza, Director of the Red Ribbon Skirt Society, and Lisa Heth, Director of Wiconi Wawokiya, Inc., will share about this important issue of racial justice that plagues our sisters and brothers in the Dakotas and what we, as United Methodists, can do to help. They will be joined by Dakotas Conference representatives Rev. Susan Jennys and Colleen McKirdy, president of the Dakotas UWFaith. Learn more.

Breakthrough Ministry Grants | Due July 31
    Breakthrough Ministry Grant applications are due July 31. Grants are offered to United Methodist churches and related organizations from the Dakotas Methodist Foundation and Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church.  Grants are awarded quarterly as seed money to launch new ministries or expand an existing ministry. Learn more about Breakthrough Ministry Grants.

Doreen Retirement Open House
    Join us Wednesday, August 28 from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the Conference Office for an Open House to celebrate the ministry of Doreen Gosmire. Doreen will be retiring as Director of Communications September 1st. This gathering will be an opportunity to express our gratitude and celebrate her impact on the Dakotas Conference.

COMING UP

Virtual Mission u | Aug. 8-10 CANCELLED
    The Virtual Mission u Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9 at 7:30-9:00 p.m. CDT, and Saturday, August 10, at 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. CDT, HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO A LOW NUMBER OF REGISTRATIONS.

Dakotas-Minnesota UM Clergy Women's Retreat | Aug. 11-13 
    Join clergywomen from across the Dakotas-Minnesota Area at Lake Poinsett for a retreat. The topic and theme is Lyrical Faith: Discovering God in the Music of Peter Mayer. View the details.

EarthKeepers training | Apply by Aug. 14
    Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training and incubator program that provides a collaborative space for United Methodists to develop and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, antiracism, community organizing, and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training. A EarthKeepers training events will be held Oct. 3-6, 2024, in St. Paul, Minnesota. And see this Dropbox folder for promotional copy and (updated!) graphics for social media posts or newsletter placements. Applications are Due by August 14, 2024. 

Required Quadrennial Clergy Training: Becoming Whole and Holy Leaders | Aug 26-27
 Appointed clergy and assigned laity serving in pastoral roles in the Dakotas Annual Conference will be attending BEcoming Whole and Holy Leaders —How our healthy boundaries and ethics move us to wholeness and holiness! This is a required quadrennial gathering in Pierre, S.D., on August 26-27, 2024. Registerter here.

Fresh Expressions coaching call | August 29 6:30 p.m.
    Join this coaching session for Fresh Expressions practitioners and their teams. Participants will learn from each other as they process the loving first journey together. Participants will share stories, ideas and get support from others. Michael Beck will facilitate these calls.

Financial Leadership for Churches | Fall 2024
    Consider the Financial Leadership for Churches program Garrett Evangelical Seminary offers for pastors and church leaders, which will be offered online this fall. The cost is $450 (covering all participants).  Information can be found here. Should a church have difficulty paying the fee, financial ministry grants are available to provide matching funds (for this program $225 with the church providing $225). Contact Diane Owen, Area Director of Clergy Well-being, at diane.owen@dkmnareaumc.org.

Investing in Leaders Resource Grant (Student Debt Reduction) | Apply by Sept. 1
    The 2024 application period has been extended until Sept. 1, 2024. First-time applicants are considered first. Demonstration of completing personal financial education and working with a financial loan repayment counselor (at least one session) are both required. If you need more information about connecting with a student loan repayment counselor, please get in touch with Area Director of Clergy Well-Being Diane Owen at diane.owen@dkmnareaumc.org. Learn more.

Leadership Institute 2024 | Sept. 25-27
    Remember the incredible energy of last year's Leadership Institute? Want to find out what everyone's talking about? Experience the spirit of connection and growth at this year's conference, September 25-27, 2024. Registration now. Get the details.

Builders Club | Riverview UMC
    In the last year, Riverview United Methodist Church in Huron, South Dakota, welcomed more than 100 new members. With the influx of new members and the many ministries happening. There are several projects throughout the church building that need to be addressed to create more welcoming and functional spaces. Through the Builders Club, prayerfully consider a gift to support Riverview UMC.The gifts for this call will be received until September 30, 2024. Get the details.

DakYouth | Oct. 11-13
    Join The Skit Guys, Winona Avenue, and Matt Rawle, along with middle and high school youth in Aberdeen, South Dakota for DakYouth 2024. This year’s them is “Crossroads” with a scripture focus on Joshua 24:15. Register by Sept. 19 to get a t-shirt and discount on lodging.

RESOURCES

Dakotas | Minnesota Foundation launches new website
    The Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations are excited to officially launch their new website - www.dkmnmf.org . This new Dakotas and Minnesota Methodist Foundations combined website will allow them to further their partnership and ministries across the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences.

UMCOR Mustard Seed Migration Grants still available
    UMC churches in the U.S. can help immigrants, migrants and refugees living in their local communities. UMCOR’s Mustard Seed Migration Grant program provides congregations with up to $2,000 for a one-time, community-based service project. Read and share this story on what 3 churches in U.S. did with their grant. Learn more and apply.

Find back-to-school resources
    Summer will be over soon, which means children will be headed back to school. Help prepare students in your church/community for another school year with prayers, encouragement and celebrations. Find the right resources and plan your back-to-school outreach now.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Jobs Available
    We're hiring! Take a look at the job announcements across the Dakotas Conference. Get the details on jobs available at these Conference churches and organizations.

Worship and Technology Director | Watertown First UMC
    First UMC in Watertown, South Dakota has an opening for a full-time Worship and Technology Director. Access a job description here. Questions and inquiries can be directed to Rev. Sara McManus at seniorpastor@watertownfirst.church. 

Accompanist | Ben Clare UMC
    Ben Clare UMC near Valley Springs, S.D., is looking for a musical accompaniment for the 9 a.m. traditional service and special services. The music includes, but is not limited to, hymns, prelude and postlude, offertory, and special music. If interested, please email your resume to Pastor Krista Ducker.  Get more details here.