THIS WEEK

Pray with us | March 9-15
   Lord, give us an increase in wisdom. Bring us together together in love, friendship, and respect. We pray this for all your people, especially the Dakotas Conference Cabinet, as they discern appointments. 

Surprise the World |  Week five Learn 
     In our 2021 Lenten study from the book, Surprise the World by Michael Frost, we walk through the BELLS acronym Bless, Eat, Listen, Learn, Send. This week Rev. Joel Winckler discusses what it means to learn about Jesus.  View the video and access resources. All of the videos are posted here to download or view. Small group study guides are posted here, as well as print copies of the messages. If you are looking for additional resources to supplement these, you can find more here.  View the message from Rev. Kris Mutzenberger for chapter five, Listen, and access resources to the week four of the study.

Soul Fill-up | Wednesdays 8 a.m. mountain time, 9 a.m. central time 
    Soul Fill-up is a mid-week time for church leaders to slow down. Let us pour into your soul and refill your cup during guided scripture reading, prayer, and meditation led by the Higher Ground program's spiritual directors. There is nothing to do or prepare—just set this 30-40 minutes aside for yourself and join us! Click here to join, Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. central time, 8:00 a.m. mountain time.

Celebrate Sheilah Kyburz's ministry | Submit by March 15
    You are invited to celebrate the ministry of Sheilah Kyburz, who will retire as the bishop's assistant for the Dakotas-Minnesota  Area of The United Methodist Church. She will retire at the end of March. Janet Beard will serve as her replacement. People wishing to celebrate Sheilah Kyburz’s ministry with memories or messages can do so in multiple ways.

Breaking through Gridlock |  Conflict resolution workshop
    Did you miss the January and February sessions? Catch the session on March 11. 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, the 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 conflict resolution workshop led by LeaderWise. Attend virtually on  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

COMING UP

DWU Stark Lecture —Race Relations and the Ministry of Reconciliation | March 18
    There is a lot of talk about race and the need to reconcile. What does that look  like in your local church? How can we create a ministry of reconciliation? Join Rev.  Dr. Shawn Moore, who serves Living Spirit United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, as he presents reflections and conversations about race relations and reconciliation. Join the presentation on March 18, 2021,  at 7 p.m. virtually at this link. 

Annual Conference 2021 | Call for resolutions, petitions, and award nominations
    The 28th session of the Dakotas Annual Conference will be June 11-12, 2021, in a hybrid format. Drawing on our collective values of Jesus, mission, and connection, the theme of this year's annual conference session is "Jesus Waymaker.” We will explore ways in which we need to step out of our comfort zone and follow the path to living like Jesus in ways beyond our imagination. Lay and clergy are invited to submit petitions and resolutions to be considered at the 2021 Annual Conference by March 31, 2021. The Dakotas Conference Cabinet also invites nominations for several awards that will be a part of the session by March 31, 2021. 

Nonprofit Church Leadership certificate program for clergy | Application process open
   Clergy may apply for this year-long online graduate certificate program through Dakota Wesleyan University designed to increase competencies in leadership. View summaries of the applied projects presented by the participating pastors in 2019 and 2020. Applicants will need to ask the leadership team of their church to complete this Endorsement of Participation. Learn more about the program by viewing the application.  Contact Diane Owen for more information and any questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES

Both/And with Jason Moore | session one, session two, handbook
      Nobody wants to be an afterthought when it comes to worship. We must strive to create a scenario where both in-person and online worshiping communities feel equally included.  There is no need to bring an end to online worship as we go back to in-person.  Jason Moore presented two webinars and made the webinar recordings session one, session two, and handbook available until April 14.  Read summary

Abiding in Exile | Subscribe to Abiding in Exile
    If the past year has taken you to one emotional extreme after another, you are likely feeling depleted. Find renewal through the Iowa Annual Conference's Abiding in Exile weekly e‑newsletter, created to support the mental health and wellness of lay and clergy leaders living through the pandemic.  View the archive of Abiding in Exile Emails

Interfaith Federal Credit Union (formerly United Methodist Credit Union) offers PPP assistance | Details here
     Interfaith FCU is ready to assist you with your Paycheck Protection Program application and loan.  Find the details and resources here.  Did you know that any church or congregation members of the Dakotas conference are eligible to open an account with Interfaith? Contact Interfaith FCU here. 

SCHOLARSHIPS

UMHEF scholarships | Deadline extended to March 19
    United Methodist students planning to attend a UM-related college, university, or seminary for the 2021-2022 academic year are encouraged to take this extra time to apply for the more than $2 million available in scholarship funds from UMHEF. Applications and supporting materials must be submitted online or postmarked by March 19. Applicants must be members of The United Methodist Church and planning to attend a United Methodist-related school, college, university, or seminary for the 2021-2022 school year. Get the details. 

Excellence in Leadership Scholarship | Apply by March 24
     The Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church and  Dakotas United Methodist Foundation is happy to partner with the General Board of Higher Education  and Ministry to offer matching dollars for this scholarship. This scholarship opportunity is designated for full-time students seeking a Master of Divinity degree and is enrolled at one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries or schools of theology.  Applications will be accepted through March 24, 2021; get the details here. If you have any questions, please contact Diane Weller.

Merit Scholarships | Apply by April 1
    The Dakotas Conference and Foundation support those entering their  call to ministry and invite seminary students to apply for a Merit Scholarship. Scholarships are awarded each year to seminary students showing exceptional promise or achievement in preparation for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church and connected to the Dakotas Conference. In previous years, close to $100,000 has been available for distribution. Scholarship amounts are dependent upon the number of applicants and funds available.  If you have any questions, please contact Diane Weller. Apply here. 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Asbury UMC | Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
    Asbury United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is currently accepting applications for a Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. The Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries develops, directs, and evaluates the youth/young adult education program with the goal of making disciples for the transformation of the world at Asbury United Methodist Church. This is a 20-hour per week position. A full job description can be found here: http://sfasbury.org/about-us/staff-openings. Please email a resume to info@sfasbury.org or mail it to the church at 2425 S Western Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.

Yankton First UMC | Praise Team Leader
     At First United Methodist Church in Yankton, South Dakota, the Praise Team Leader will provide vocal and musical leadership to the Sunday morning contemporary worship service. This position will be responsible for the planning, preparation, and coordination of all aspects of music for the contemporary worship service. View a job description and application details here. 

FOR SALE

    Copier for sale: The United Methodist Church in Plankinton, South Dakota, has a copier for sale. It is a Toshiba e studio 356. It does black and white copies and has duplexing. The copier is in good working condition and has a total print count of 235,000.  The asking price is  $300.00, including two new in the box,  toner cartridges.  Contact Terry at 605-299-6450 or Tara at 605-682-8912. Please leave a message.