Pray with us | October 19-25
    Guide me, Lord, you are my heart, you are my strength, you are my hope. Teach me Lord, and guide my way, I love you more each passing day. We pray for all of God's people but especially these persons.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Soul Fill-up | Wednesdays 8 a.m. MT, 9 a.m. CT
    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. CT, 8:00 a.m. MT.

COMING UP

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., 9a.m.-2p.m. MDT, Oct. 27-29. Contact Ben Ingebretson with any questions. Register here or contact Gail Johnson.

Financial Foundations webinar | November 8
    Join us for Building Relationships—Telling Your Church Story: Nov. 8, 7-7:45 p.m. CST, 6-6:45pm MST, online. Learn how to tell the story of your church, and how this can help cultivate new donors. This webinar by the Dakotas and Minnesota United Methodist Foundations is for pastors, treasurers, finance committees, and anyone interested in stewardship.

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 We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. 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!

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 even in retirement Virgin Pulse is available, if you are on the Dakotas conference retiree health program? Retired Rev. Tom Haggar of the Dakotas Conference tells about his and his wife, Char's experiences with the Virgin Pulse program and how it has positively affected their lifestyle in retirement.

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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