Pray with us | October 5-11
    Come and embrace me, Lord. Hold me secure, Hold me strong, Hold me forever In Your everlasting arms. We pray for all of God's people especially these persons.

Bishop Haller's e-mail  | Do not respond to request 
   If you received an e-mail message from Bishop Laurie requesting your time, please do not respond. Bishop Haller does not have a gmail account and is not making this request.

Tuesdays at the Table | Starts October 5
     It is important for United Methodists to explore who we are, what we believe and how we live as people of God, today and into the future. The Connectional Table, in cooperation with our general agencies and others, is hosting a series of discussions that will help us better understand our faith, our church and ourselves. Get the details.

Clergy Leadership Academy |  October 11-13
    All clergy are invited to attend the Clergy Leadership Academy at Lake Poinsett.  Melissa Hiatt brings a practical expertise and professional skill set to develop the emotional health of individuals, families, teams and organizations. Having served as the pastor of an American Baptist Church, Melissa is particularly adept to the dynamics of churches and pastoral leadership. Trained by Brené Brown, Melissa teaches Dare to Lead, Daring Greatly and Rising Strong Workshops throughout the Midwest exploring vulnerability, shame, empathy, self-compassion and courageous leadership. Get the details here. 

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

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, On line: http://bit.ly/ummgive2021,  Call: 866-297-4312.To give by phone, call us between 5 a.m. and midnight Oct. 18th

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. 

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 gran 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. 

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, each day, Oct. 27-29. Contact Ben Ingebretson with any questions. Register here or contact Gail Johnson.

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.

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, 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 Conference sfor 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, IA departing on August 15, 2022.

RESOURCES 

Virgin Pulse Program Highlights | Why use Virgin Pulse? watch video 
     Why should you use Virgin Pulse? Rev. Valerie Hummel LaBounty shares how she has earned incentive points by just drinking water and tracking what she drinks. Join the journey to health with Virgin Pulse.

Health benefits for full-time and three-quarter time clergy | Enroll Nov. 3-18
    Starting in 2022 it will be mandatory for all full-time and three-quarter time clergy to be on the conference health insurance unless they opt-out for specified reasons. Annual election for 2022 will be November 3-18, 2021. Annual election for 2022 will be November 3-18, 2021. Get the details here.

Attention clergy | Book your time at camp (see related story)
     The camping ministry loves our clergy and families – come relax, refresh, and renew at your Dakotas camps and retreat centers! A reminder that the Dakotas board of pensions has generously provided funding for clergy and their families to spend up to two weeks at camp in 2021. There is still time to schedule your vacation/renewal with us, and fall is an absolutely beautiful time to visit your camps! Come by yourself or bring your whole family for a day, for two full weeks, or anything in between. Linens, meals, and use of programming space and equipment included (contingent on availability). Contact Storm Mountain, Wesley Acres, or Lake Poinsett for reservations or with questions. Contact information is available at www.dakcamps.org.