THIS WEEK

Pray with us | September 21-27
    Holy Lord, Thank You for grace. Please help me move beyond the hurdles that trip me up and give me the strength and wisdom to look up and see the hope I run toward in Christ. We pray for all of God's people but especially these persons.

Dakotas Conference UMCOR kit collection | Sept. 20-24
    The Dakotas Conference will be collecting UMCOR kits for health/hygiene and school supplies this fall. The collection sites are: Aberdeen First UMC, 
Bismarck Legacy UMC, Fargo First UMC, Rapid City Open Heart UMC, Dakotas Conference Office in Mitchell, South Dakota. The drop-off dates are September 20 - 24. Please call ahead to your preferred location to inquire about office hours or to schedule a drop-off appointment.

Solar Oven Partners Voyage Across the Dakotas | Sept. 22 - Oct. 3
    Solar Oven Partners (SOP) Volunteer-in-Mission teams may have been home-bound during the pandemic, but you can invite your mission team and supporters, youth directors, and possible volunteers to join SOP’s Dominican Voyage Across the Dakotas this fall. SOP Director Marjorie Evans-De-Carpio and Dominican Director Erasme Figaro plan to make stops at churches and events across the Dakotas from September 22-October 3. Find out how SOP has continued its solar oven ministry in the midst of COVID-19, and attend the opening of the long-awaited new workshop in Rapid City. Details here. 

Leading voices podcast features Adam Weber | September 23
    Join Rev. Sue Nilson-Kibbey, leader of the Bruce R. Ough Innovation Center, and Adam Weber, the founder and lead pastor of Embrace, on September 23 at  9:30 a.m. CDT / 8:30 a.m. MDT.  Sue and Adam will share passionately about down-to-earth “how-to's” when it comes to prayer. Learn accessible, hope-filled approaches to one of faith’s greatest privileges: talking with God based on Weber's book. Register here

Digital ministry mission fields | September 25
    Most of us have learned how to make the most of Facebook and YouTube in our churches, but what about using other platforms like Twitch, TikTok, and Marco Polo to meet and invite people into a life of faith and community? In a groundbreaking training, church planter/trainer Rev. Rachel Gilmore is joined by a panel of innovative church leaders to share lessons they’ve learned on the frontiers of various digital ministry mission fields. Get the details.
 
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

Digital Campus Initiative | Apply by September 27
    The Digital Campus Initiative is a comprehensive program for establishing and growing your virtual ministries. It includes: development of the campus leader, extensive training for the campus leader and lead pastor, and continued coaching. Apply for a grant of $3,000  to support the campus leader's stipend.  Get the details and complete the application today.

Leadership Institute 2021 | September 29-October 1, 2021
    You're invited to the Leadership Institute at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Come for inspiration, practical ministry tools and proven strategies to strengthen your church and your own leadership. You can attend online or in-person. Get the details here. 

NEW DATE REACH! With Missional Communities | Sept 30
    Making new disciples requires that followers of Jesus deeply engage their communities in transformational ways.  Rachel Gilmore comes to us having experience and wisdom on forming missional communities that accomplish that deep engagement.  If you are looking for principles to move out of your building and into your neighborhood with greater effectiveness, register for this Reach! webinar.

Dakotas United Methodist Women | Annual Celebration Oct. 1-2, 2021
    The Dakotas Conference United Methodist Women's Annual Celebration will be held Oct 1-2 in Jamestown, North Dakota. A registration form will be posted on the UMW page of the Conference website very soon. 

Walk to Emmaus - West | October 1-3
    Have you attended the Walk to Emmaus? If you have, then we have an event for you. This fall we are holding retreat at Storm Mountain Center, October 1-3, 2021. The theme for these retreat is 'Rekindle Your Spiritual Fire'. We want the entire 4th Day Community to be energized for the Walks that will be held next year. Get the details here.

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.

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. 

North Central Juriscitional Conference | Meeting virtually Nov.  10-12
    The NCJ College of Bishops have announced the cancellation of an in-person special session of Jurisdictional Conference. However, Bishop David Bard, president of the NCJ , indicated that a virtual special session will be held Nov. 10-12.  Read the press release. 

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.

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 

RESILIENCE | Healing Practices for Mind, Body, & Spirit
   You’re invited to join The Upper Room for a virtual event that includez storytelling, time for personal reflection and conversation, guided spiritual practice, and worship. This gathering offers time for centering and interaction, a fresh array of spiritual practices to help with healing from trauma, and an introduction to spiritual tools you can use in your own healing journey or the healing journey through which you lead others. Register for the sessions that are happening September 30–October 2, 2021.  All sessions will be recorded and available to registrants after the even

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.

7 resources for local churches | GCFA’s products and services
    The General Council on Finance and Administration's Connectional Relations department builds relationships with United Methodist churches, agencies, annual conferences, and affiliated organizations, and connects them to GCFA’s products and services. If you don’t know who to call at GCFA, Connectional Relations is the place to start. They are focused on serving the Church by sharing how the products and services offered by GCFA can help through cost savings, diverting more dollars to mission and ministry. Here are seven resources for your local church: GCFA collaborator newsletter, UMC support to local churches, Guardian Moving services, Home Depot partnership, Interfaith Credit Union, Park N Fly discounts, and the Staples program. Check out the details.

Youth 2023 | July 25-28, 2023
    Florida here we come! YOUTH 2023 is the national gathering for United Methodist youth, grades 6-12, in the United States and all are welcome.We are excited to announce that the tradition continues with YOUTH 2023 headed to Daytona Beach, Florida, July 25-28, 2023! Stay connected as we continue organizing and planning the details that make this event so memorable!

JOBS | ADS | OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fargo Calvary UMC | Discipleship and Youth Pastor/Director
    Calvary UMC is seeking a shepherd with a heart and a passion for discipleship and youth (6th-12th grade). Their primary role is to make disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus. This person will have characteristics and qualifications consistent with 1 Timothy 3:1-7. We desire someone with a strong knowledge of the Bible and the ability to teach. See the full-time job description, duties, and necessary qualifications here. Email a cover letter and resume to Calvary UMC.

OTHER JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS |  VIEW ADS 
    Jobs available at Bismarck McCabe, Pierre First,  and Southern Hills United Methodist Churches across our conference.