THIS WEEK!

"Serving Joyfully" at our Conference Missions
    In recognition of the 2026 Annual Conference theme “Serving Joyfully”, we are inviting United Methodists across the Dakotas to partner with one of our Conference mission organizations to actively support a project or event they are currently undertaking.  You can participate by forming a team from your church or individually joining an on-site mission activity.  Or if traveling to a site presents a challenge, there are a couple of activities that can be performed at home or church and forwarded on to the mission. Here are some examples of how you can be the hands and feet of Jesus this summer:

• Solar Oven Partners - Hundreds of potholders are needed to be given as part of the oven distribution. Templates and instructions for sewing potholders are available to guide this project.
• Spirit Lake Ministry Center - Support a new endeavor at SLMC to build a meat and fresh produce program that raises beef and vegetables for immediate consumption and winter utilization. Your help is needed in picking and preparing produce for winter food supplies or assisting with fencing and pasture development for calves’ next spring.
• Tree of Life - Come help unload Feeding SD food truck on Wednesday, August 5. There are also several construction projects that can be done in a day or two.
• Bakken Oil Rush Ministry - Collect mittens and gloves for the cold winter months in the Bakken. Or travel to BORM in early August to help set up for a back to school giveaway and shopping day!

Check out this handout for more detailed information and contacts.

Annual Conference Worship Resources 
    This year's Celebration of Life in Ministry service - a time when we ordain and commission clergy, recognize those pastors who are retiring, and honor clergy, clergy spouses, and former conference staff who passed away in the last year - will be held on Sunday, June 7 at 10 a.m. CT at McCabe UMC in Bismarck, N.D.  Resources are now available for churches to engage in this service in different ways:
     Live-streaming the first hour of the CLMS starting at 10 a.m. CT - For churches who want to participate in the service remotely but are limited to an hour, we have created a bulletin to accompany that format.
    Using Bishop’s recorded sermon (or sermon transcript) - For those churches limited by time or technology, we have created a worship bulletin and slides to accompany the Bishop’s sermon.
    Live-streaming full service - We will provide an PDF copy of the CLMS order of worship to follow along (available next week).
     Access all resources here. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the conference communications staff. 

Last call for Serving Joyfully Videos! Due this Friday 
    Across the Dakotas, United Methodists are Serving Joyfully in their churches and communities –people of different ages and differing abilities, people who have been a part of the church for years and those who have just gotten connected, members of churches in large cities and rural communities. These individuals faithfully share their time and talents in ways that give glimpses of the selfless, sacrificial love of Christ. We want to celebrate these small but significant acts of service.
    We invite YOU to record and submit a short video (less than 30 seconds) or written testimony about examples of serving joyfully in your church or community. We will share these during annual conference session as well as on social media throughout the year so that we can continue to spur one another on toward love and good deeds! Check out this form for more information and this video testimony! Share your story by May 22nd! And thank YOU for all you do to Serve Joyfully!

RESOURCES

Peace with Justice Sunday resources
    Peace with Justice Sunday is one of six churchwide Special Sundays designated to support ministries and causes important to the entire United Methodist Church. One this day, we come together to support ministries that work for peace and fairness around the world. It’s a day when the church speaks out against violence and inequality and renews its commitment to be peacemakers—just as Jesus taught. The world is full of conflict, division, and injustice. Peace with Justice Sunday reminds us that the church has a role to play in making things right. United Methodists believe that working for peace means addressing the deeper causes of conflict—like poverty, racism, and oppression. It’s not just about ending war, but about building a world where everyone is treated with dignity. Peace with Justice Sunday matters because it equips United Methodists to advocate for change and support ministries that challenge systems of inequality and violence. Check out resources here to celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday, May 31st (or whatever Sunday works best) in your congregation.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)

Partnering with Midwest Mission!
    We are excited to partner with Midwest Mission, a cooperating depot for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), in showing God's love in practical ways to people in their time of need. As we near the end of the school year and prepare for annual conference, here are three great ways you can join in this important work:

1.  Like last year, churches are  invited to bring kits to Annual Conference. Midwest Mission will have a trailer there for collection.
2.  Midwest Mission is setting up a hands-on service project for Annual Conference attendees to participate in on Friday night. Individuals/churches can contribute cash donations for to help offset the cost of supplies. Learn more about Blessing Bags here.
3.  Midwest Mission recently launched a new initiative to collect school supplies at the end of the year. Churches are encouraged to partner with their community to collect these supplies and bring them to a drop-off site (e.g. Annual Conference or Sioux Falls Asbury UMC in the Dakotas) and MWM will transport them from there. Learn more here.    
    

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Jobs Available
    We're hiring! The following positions are open across the Dakotas Conference.
    Find more information on our Conference website.
    Office Assistant I/Bookkeeper | Madison UMC
    Part-time Campus Ministry Director | First UMC, Brookings, SD
    Open Camping Positions | All locations