THIS WEEK!

UMCOR Sunday | March 30
    UMCOR Sunday seeks to increase awareness and support for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)—a humanitarian organization that helps alleviate human suffering around the world by assisting the most vulnerable people affected by crisis or chronic need. UMCOR Sunday is one of six special denominational offerings each year. Gifts given on UMCOR Sunday cover UMCOR’s administrative costs so that 100% of donations given to UMCOR throughout the year can be directed toward on-the-ground relief and recovery efforts in communities facing disaster and hardship. Make plans for your congregation to participate in this offering!  Learn about UMCOR Sunday / Access pastor and leader kit

UWF Assembly 2026 | May 15-17
    Assembly 2026 is that moment—a once-every-four-years gathering of women committed to faith, empowerment, and making a difference. Picture a weekend that uplifts your soul, strengthens your faith, and brings you together with an unstoppable sisterhood. Come be nurtured by deep, soul care experiences. Be equipped through cutting-edge workshops. Be inspired by top women experts in their field. Become influencers through networking opportunities. Come and make an impact through action for justice. Learn more here.

LUKE-ACTS 2025 - Reflections & Resources

Luke-Acts Reading 
     In this Lenten season of self-examination, Luke 12 offers us some challenging things to wrestle with - our own hypocrisy, things we are hiding, fear that keeps us from standing up or doing the right thing, our witness of Christ, our need to control or to hoard resources, worry that holds us captive, our stewardship of the call and gifts God has given us, and our readiness and attentivess to God's Spirit. Make time this week to reflect on these things. Additional resources: A reflection on Luke 12 from Rev. Luke Edward from WNC Annual Conference

RESOURCES

Luke-Acts | April Breakthrough Prayer
    God of Resurrection Hope, As we journey through these final days of Lent, we bring before you the weight of our waiting, the longing for renewal, and the deep need for transformation. We confess that we are often stuck—in our ways, in our fears, in our doubts. Yet, you are the God who breaks chains, rolls away stones, and calls forth new life. Break through the walls of our resistance. Break through the places of despair with your light. Break through our complacency with holy urgency. Break through our divided hearts and make us whole. By the power of your Spirit, stir within us a bold faith. Where we have settled for the ordinary, awaken us to the extraordinary movement of your grace. Where we have turned inward, send us outward in love. Where we have grown weary, breathe into us new strength. We long to see your kingdom come in our lives, our churches, and our communities. So we pray, O Christ, who walked the road to the cross and rose victorious: Break through, O God! Break through in us, and through us, for the sake of the world. Amen.

Kid Friendly Easter
    Help the children in your church understand the meaning of Easter with a kid-friendly explanation from The United Methodist Church. This resource offers simple ways to talk about Jesus’ death and resurrection using relatable language, age-appropriate Bibles, and engaging discussions. Equip parents and leaders with tools to share the Easter story in a way that makes sense to young hearts. Read more here.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)

Saving Grace Clergy Cohort | Registration open
    Registration is now open for the spring cohort: May 1 – June 12, Thursdays at 11:00 am – 12:15 pm.  Start the new year by finding the peace that comes with being in control of finances instead of having them control you. Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being is a practical resource written for the Methodist family and rooted in a Wesleyan perspective. This 6-week session which includes content on the unique aspects of clergy finances, will be led by Marcia Alexander. Learn more here. 

Clergywomen's Retreat | April 27-29
    Come and enjoy the serene surroundings, worship, conversation and company of other United Methodist clergywomen at this year’s retreat. This year's retreat theme is Photography. Each small group time will involve different photography activities and exploring related scripture. God is at work all around us, and we carry cameras in our pockets that helps to capture it. Open your eyes, mind, and heart to experience God through a camera lens with your clergy colleagues. Learn more and register here.

Practical Church Leadership Certificate Program: July 2025

    Apply by May 1 for this year-long, online certificate program designed to increase a pastor's capacity to be an effective church leader and improve skills in financial stewardship and human resource management and development. The program is offered through Dakota Wesleyan University. Contact Diane Owen for more information.

AWARDS

Several awards will be announced at annual conference. Nominations for these award are now being accepted:

Harry Denman Award for Evangelism— This award - given annually to one clergy, one laity, and one youth - honors United Methodists whose exceptional ministry of evangelism – expressed in Word, Sign, and Deed – brings people into a life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Nominate someone here.

Francis Asbury Award — Recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to fostering the church's ministries in higher education at the local, district, or annual conference level of the church. Nominate someone here.

Streams of Justice Award— Calls attention to a United Methodist sponsored program or event which promotes justice in our Annual Conference.  Nominate someone here.

If you know of a church or individual who is deserving of one of these awards, please submit your nominations by April 11, 2025.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Jobs Available
    We're hiring! The following positions are open across the Dakotas Conference. Find out more information on our Conference website.
    Custodian | Downtown First UMC, Mitchell, SD
    Summer Staff | Dakotas UM Camps
    Food Service & Housekeeping Manager | Storm Mountain Center, South Dakota
    Contemporary Worship Director | Watertown (S.D.) First UMC
    Weekend Children’s Program Leader | Watertown (S.D.) First UMC