THIS WEEK

National Day of Volunteer Training | September 23, 2023
    Fargo First UMC is once again hosting National Day of Volunteer Training through Download Youth Ministry. The date for this year's training is September 23, beginning at 9 a.m. Bring your team to this training. The cost is $199.00 for everyone on your team. The training will be finished by noon. Fargo First UMC will be providing lunch for all attendees after the training.Please mark your calendars, register, and join us. 

COMING UP

Leadership Institute | September 27-29
    Leadership Institute, Resurrection UMC's  annual leadership conference for church leaders, is Sept. 27-29, featuring many great speakers, including Rev. Adam Hamilton and Carey Nieuwhof. Check out all the details and register. 

Fresh Expressions Imagine Day | September 30
    What is God already doing in people’s lives and how do we join in? That question is the premise of the Fresh Expressions movement. Rev. Dr. Michael Beck wants to help you explore it and take tangible steps to reach new people in your community. Your first step? Register for Imagine Day on Sept. 30, and bring a team!

Care Ministry training | Oct. 13-14
    Are you feeling called to care ministry? Save the date for care ministry training on October 13-14 at Riverview UMC in Huron, S.D., and Legacy UMC in Bismarck, N.D.

Lay Ministry Academy | Oct. 13-15
    The upcoming Lay Academy will help strengthen your understanding and skills for planning and leading the spoken parts of worship, including preaching.  Contact Michele Slott, if you missed the September 13 registration for the training beginning at 1 p.m., Friday, October 13, and finishing early afternoon on Sunday, October 15, at Huron Riverview UMC.

Relax, Refresh, Renew | Women's Retreat Oct. 20-22
    Come to Storm Mountain Center for a weekend apart and a time to relax, refresh and renew your mind and body. During the weekend you’ll find both group time to build Christian community and time apart in the beauty of creation for sabbath and renewal. Register and get the details.

Worship planning retreat | Oct. 22-25
    Clergy are invited to join Pastors Annie Carlson and Jordan Minnich Kjesbo, Sunday evening, October 22, to Wednesday noon, October 25, at Wesley Acres Camp and Retreat Center for a retreat of renewal, collaboration, and worship planning. Get the details and register.

Shoebox Christmas 2023 | November 10 dropoff deadline
    Start collecting your Shoebox Christmas gifts. Spirit Lake Ministry Center coordinates Shoebox Christmas gifts to over 6,000 children across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota reservations. Learn more about Shoebox Christmas gifts and the dropoff locations. 

DakYouth 2023 | Nov. 10-12
    DAKYOUTH is an annual youth event like no other and is for both middle school and high school youth in the Dakotas Conference. Youth will gather at Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center from all around the conference to learn about leadership, discipleship, and service. This year the DAKYOUTH theme  is**“Good vs. Evil.”** The scripture focus is Isaiah 5:20. Early Bird Deadline for registration fee of $65, to receive a T-shirt is OCTOBER 19. Get the details and register. 

RESOURCES

Communications that Transform | Oct. 16-20
    United Methodist Communication (UMCom) has announced the return of its week-long ecumenical training opportunity launching this fall for anyone in ministry seeking to enhance their communications skills.  Communications Learning Week: Communications that Transform will be held October 16-20, 2023. Registration is open September 12 – October 12, 2023, with an early bird 20% discount available for people signing up by Sept. 30th.

Five Ways to Pray with Children
    Kids experience the world in simple yet profound ways — ways that many adults seem to 'forget': play, art, dance, games, touch and laughter. Here are some creative ways to pray with kids and possibly rediscover fresh and new ways to deepen adult prayer. View the article here.

GRANTS    

Breakthrough Ministry Grants | Due October 31
   Breakthrough Ministry Grants: Grants are offered to churches and related organizations from the Dakotas Methodist Foundation and Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Grants will be awarded quarterly as seed money to launch new ministries or expand an existing ministry. Learn more about Breakthrough Ministry Grants here.

Financial Ministry Grant |  Growing generous givers
    If you want to learn more about growing generous givers, starting a study such as Saving Grace, or providing a growth opportunity for key leaders, consider applying for a Financial Ministry Grant of up to $500 to fund your effort. Whatever your method for improving your church's financial health and embedding the value of generosity into your church culture, some financial support can jumpstart your efforts!  Apply for the Financial Ministry Grant using a simple application found here.
    
Discipleship Ministries | Ethnic Ministries Grant
    Discipleship Ministries is offering grants of up to $10,000 to support racial ethnic local churches. Deadline for applying is September 30, 2023. 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Jobs Available
    We're hiring! Take a look at the job announcements across the Dakotas Conference. Get the details on jobs available at these Conference churches and organizations.

Spirit Lake seeks director
    Spirit Lake Ministry Center is seeking a director. The Spirit Lake Ministry Center is dedicated to supporting the peoples of the Spirit Lake Nation and is an approved United Methodist Volunteer in Mission destination. View a full job description and details on how to apply.

Camp Director | Lake Poinsett
    The Camp and Retreat Ministries of Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is seeking an experienced professional to lead and manage Lake Poinsett Camp. To apply for this full-time, salaried position, send a letter of interest along with a resume and salary requirements to: Keith Shew, Dakotas-Minnesota Area Executive Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries, 122 W Franklin Ave, Suite #400, Minneapolis, MN 55404, or keith.shew@dkmnareaumc.org. Ph. 612.230.6130. Applications accepted through 9/26/2023. View a full job description and other details.

Discipleship Ministries Coordinator | Evergreen UMC
    Evergreen UMC in Wahpeton, N.D., is hiring a Discipleship Ministries Coordinator. Evergreen UMC is looking for a high energy, enthusiastic individual who loves engaging with children, youth and young adults and also is super crazy about Jesus!! Please contact Pastor Kori Lehrkamp or the church office for more information.

Conference Position | Benefits and Human Resources Officer
    The Dakotas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is seeking a full-time Conference Benefits and Human Resources Officer to administer the conference clergy and lay staff benefits program, lead and direct conference human resource functions, and coordinate with the conference treasurer financial reporting for Wespath and the Board of Pensions. The full job description can be found here. To apply, email your resume and references to Leana Stunes at leana.stunes@dakotasumc.org.

Ministry / Office Assistant | Brandon Celebration UMC
    Celebration UMC in Brandon, SD, is now hiring for the Ministry/ Office Assistant position. We seek a Christian, competent, energetic, motivated, and personable ministry assistant to join our dynamic team. This person will work directly with the pastoral team to provide personalized administrative and ministry support in a well-organized and timely manner. Duties include coordinating church communications, assisting with special projects, updating online and social media content, managing facility rentals, and assisting pastors with tasks essential to the church's ministry. If you are interested in this position, please get in touch with Addy Kenkel at pastoraddy@alliancecom.net.

Worship Arts Director  | Legacy UMC
     Legacy is looking for a full-time Worship Arts Director with a visible and contagious love for Jesus lived out in passionate worship. This person should be a good communicator with a creative spirit, possessing the musical ability to lead vocally and instrumentally and the leadership to develop the gifts and talents of a diverse team. See the full job description here.