Pray with us | October 12-18
    Lord, You are my pillar of strength and shield. You are also my Shepherd—the One who always guides me. Father, as I/we head out for the day today, be with us and guide our thoughts and actions. With Your help, good and new things will happen to us and any environment we might be. We pray for all of God's people but especially these persons. 

Board of Pensions | Statement encouraging COVID vaccines
   The Dakotas Conference Board of Pensions recently issued a statement encouraging the clergy, conference staff, and their families across the Dakota Conference to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is a proven way to keep health costs done and wellness as a focus. "The Board of Pensions strongly encourages all clergy, staff, and eligible family members to receive the medically proven Covid-19 vaccine for the well-being of us all. The Board encourages those that still have questions about the vaccine, booster, or any other vaccines to visit with your physician and follow their advice." View the full statement.

BSA  update | October 12
  Some churches will be receiving a packet from the Boy Scouts of America with their plan to reorganize through the bankruptcy process. DO NOT TAKE ANY ACTION AT THIS TIME. A recommendation for how to vote on the plan will be coming out soon. Read update from October 12 here. Access other announcements and resources. 

United Methodist Men Give Day | October 18
    The General Commission on United Methodist Men receives less than 25% of its yearly budget funding from World Service Funds. Give Day is an essential funding source that enables the commission to provide resources and support to United Methodist Men in your conference and local churches. There are many ways to give, we thank you for your generosity. Text: UMMEN to 44321, Online: http://bit.ly/ummgive2021,  Call: 866-297-4312. To give by phone, call us between 5 a.m. and midnight Oct. 18th.

Soul Fill-up | Wednesdays 8 a.m. Mountain, 9 a.m. Central 
    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, 8:00 a.m. mountain.

COMING UP

Dakotas Connection Initiative | Rural Ministry Fall Gatherings (Oct. 23- Nov. 14)
    The Dakotas Annual Conference is hosting fall gatherings for rural ministry churches in each of our four districts in the upcoming weeks. These gatherings are part of our million-dollar Dakotas Connection Initiative, a rural ministry grant from the Lilly Endowment. Gatherings are designed to connect with rural churches with the intention of creating innovative and collaborative ways to structure ministry functions to effectively and efficiently allocate ministry resources. Each four-hour session is free of charge, each church attending will receive several resources designed to spur on innovation in rural ministry and a stipend to help offset travel costs. View a  list of the dates, times, locations and register. 

Confirmation Retreat | October 22-23
    Experience connections with other United Methodist churches and confirmands. Learn about a part of your Christian and United Methodist heritage. Develop your faith while playing and studying during this retreat. Bring your own group leaders and youth to Storm Mountain Center October 22-23. Register here. 

Relax, Refresh, Renew | October 22-24
    Experience a time to relax, refresh and renew your mind, body and spirit. In the beauty of creation, you will find both group time to build Christian community, and time apart for Sabbath and renewal. Join other women from across the Dakotas Conference at Storm Mountain Center, October 22-24. 

Start-Up Incubator | October 27-29
    The Start-Up Incubator is an onboarding discovery process to prepare newly appointed church planters or those exploring start up/restart projects (new service or new site). This is an introduction into the skills, behaviors, and tools of a church planter. You will make a plan that can be put into action. This online training will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Central Time, Oct. 27-29. Contact Ben Ingebretson with any questions. Register here or contact Gail Johnson.

Shoebox Christmas | Deliver gifts by November 12, 2021
    Shoebox Christmas gifts will be collected in November. Please have your Shoebox Christmas gifts delivered by November 12, 2021,  to one these North Dakota sites: McCabe UMC in Bismarck, First UMC in Devils Lake, First UMC in Fargo, Wesley UMC in Grand Forks, or Vincent UMC in Minot. You can also deliver gifts to Sunnycrest UMC in Sioux Falls and the Dakotas Conference Office in Mitchell in South Dakota. Please contact the drop-off location to set up a time for drop off.

DAKYOUTH 2021 | November 12-14
    DAKYOUTH,  an event for middle and high school students, is happening November 12-14, 20201, at the Recreating and Culture Center in Aberdenn, South. The theme is “Bent, not Broken.”  The scripture focus is 2 Corinthians 4:8-9—8:We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. 9 We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out.  Register today.

UMC Student Day | November 28, 2021
    Gifts to UMC Student Day fund scholarship programs for promising United Methodist students. This includes programs like the Rev. Dr. Karen Layman Gift of Hope Scholarship. It is a scholarship designated for undergraduates with at least three years of membership in The United Methodist Church. Click here to access resources for UMC Student Day.

Bible Land Exploration | Departing February 1, 2022
    Join Bishop Laurie and Rev. Gary Haller along with others from the Dakotas  and Iowa Annual Conferences on an 11-day Bible Land Exploration, starting at $3,996 from Bismarck and Fargo, ND or Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD departing on February 1, 2022. Journey to places such as Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Temple Mount, Garden of Gethsemane, Jericho, Bethlehem, Galilee, and much more!

UMW Assembly - Orlando | Registration now open 
    The UMW Assembly will be May 20-22, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The theme is Turn It Up! Now more than ever, women need to come together to reflect on today’s challenges and find comfort and strength to move forward, finding ways for faith-filled women to make a difference in the world. Early registration opened Sept 1, 2021.

Best of Italy and the Oberammergau Passion Play | Departing on August 15, 2022
    Join Bishop Laurie and Rev. Gary Haller along with others from the Dakotas and Iowa Annual Conferences for 12 days in Germany, Austria, and Italy. You'll explore Innsbruck, have the opportunity to see the Oberammergau Passion Play and spend time in Venice, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. Pricing starts at $5946  from Bismarck, Fargo, ND,  Rapid City, SD, or Sioux Falls, SD departing on August 15, 2022.

RESOURCES 

Virgin Pulse Program Highlights | Why use Virgin Pulse? Watch video 
     Did you know that competition can be a benefit your health? Rev. Kyle Reinhiller shares what he likes about the competitive edge, or challenges that are offered by Virgin Pulse.

UM Communication Training | Oct. 18-Nov.12
   United Methodist Communications’ Training Team is launching the first in a new series of four-week facilitated online courses. The Communicating During Seasons of Change course will run Oct. 18 through Nov. 12, 2021. Webinar sessions will take place each Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 - 2:00 pm CT with weekly supplemental work. Registration is open through Oct. 15. Click here for details.

GRANTS

Breakthrough Ministry Grants | Applications accepted through October 31
    Apply for a grant to reach the next person for Jesus. Breakthrough Ministry Grants include outreach ministries, church/school partnerships, young adult/campus ministries, and culture of call. The next grant application deadline is October 31. Get the application and instructions here. For questions about the application process, contact Diane Weller in the Foundation office.

Feeding the Dakotas Hunger Grants | Applications accepted through November 15
    Applications are now being accepted for hunger / feeding grants from funds collected during the 2021 Miracle Offering.  The application deadline is November 15.  Grant awards will be made by November 30.  Grants will be capped at $1,000 per applicant.  Applications must come from a UMC church or organization but can be partnered with local community programs.  Applications are available here.

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