THIS WEEK 

Student Debt Relief Workshop | Oct. 3
    Join the Student Debt Relief Workshop online: Oct. 3, 1-2:15 p.m. CDT. Clergy with student debt, learn about having your educational debt forgiven through the Student Debt Relief Plan and changes in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Attend this workshop by LSS Financial Counseling. Get all the details here.

Help Puerto Rico | Donate
    The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico sent a letter to the College of Bishops asking for help and donations. In the letter of appeal, Bishop Lizzette Gabriel Montalvo said: “our beloved brothers and sisters from different locations, we kindly ask for support on this journey in which once again we humbly give what we have received by grace. Your act of love by sending monetary donations for us to continue purchasing first aid supplies to thousands of families around the Island will make the difference in the lives of many people experiencing difficulties in their recovery process.” Read letter

Leadership Institute | Sept. 28-30 
    Are you headed to the Leadership Institute at the Church of Resurrection and want to share travel arrangements?  Share your travels plans and reach out to others here. The Leadership Institute, a conference designed to equip, encourage, and inspire ministry leaders like you from all over the country and around the globe. You’ll experience: meaningful worship, eight powerful keynote speakers, time for prayer, reflection, networking, team building, and more! Add the Pre-Institute option to your in-person Leadership Institute experience and choose from over 40 breakout sessions focused on specific ministry topics with practical ideas you can take back and adapt to your context regardless of your church’s size. Get the details at li.cor.org.

COMING UP 

Women's Conference | October 7-8
    Join us at Fargo First United Methodist Church on Friday October 7-8, 2022 for our first Women’s Conference. Powerful speakers and incredible workshops to feed your souls. A conference for women, planned by women, and led by women. Speakers Olivia Alnes and Pastor Sara McManus are our main stage speakers. Workshops will be led by many different women including Mrs. North Dakota, American Women of Service, Wendy Allen Juanita Martinez, Lori Faleide and more…Register here.

Sowing Generously | Oct. 8
    Sowing Generously is an in-person, district based, multi-site event for the Dakota-Minnesota Area UMC ministry leaders willing to consider multiplying. It will happen Saturday, October 8, at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. central time, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. mountain time. Contact your District Superintendent to RSVP and to join at a location in your area.

Relax, Refresh, ReNew | October 21-23
    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 this women's retreat lead by Rev. Kori Lehrkamp at Storm Mountain Center. Details here.

Rural Ministry Fall Gathering | October 28-29
    The Dakotas Annual Conference is pleased to announce a 2022 Rural Ministry Fall Gathering on October 28-29, 2022, in Mobridge, South Dakota, at the Wrangler Inn.  A block of rooms has been saved at the Wrangler Inn for attendees.  Please call 888-618-5318 to reserve a room under Dakotas UMC. The event will begin Friday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m., central time, with fellowship followed by worship at 7:00 p.m., a keynote address, and a brief review and discussion about the Dakotas Connection Initiative.  Saturday, October 29, beginning at 7:30 a.m., will include sessions on learning, sharing, and planning.  Register now.

Lay Training Academy | Answer the call
     We are all called by God. Laity throughout the Dakotas are invited to the Lay Training Academy at Open Heart UMC in Rapid City, South Dakota, on October 28-30, 2022 and January 27-29, 2023; or at First UMC in Pierre, South Dakota, April 28-30, 2023, and July 28-30, 2023. Training will be on two tracks to equip lay people to better minister in their individual contexts: 1) preaching and leading spoken parts of worship and, 2) congregational care and discipleship. Get the details here. 

Breakthrough Ministry Grants | Due October 31
    Breakthrough Ministry Grants are offered to churches and related organizations from the Dakotas United 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.

North Central Jurisdictional Conference | Nov. 2-5, 2022
    In response to Judicial Council decision 1445, the Council of Bishops (COB) has formally set the dates for regular sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be convened November 2-5, 2022.  Our North Central Jurisdictional Conference will meet in Fort Wayne, Indiana and be livestreamed on the NCJUMC.org website.  The Dakotas-Minnesota Area will be receiving a new bishop. View video interviews with the candidates for episcopal leadership. Read the candidates biographical informaton. 

Doctrine of Discovery Event | November 5
    The Doctrine of Discovery is a 500-year-old series of Christian edicts that violently deny the personhood of Indigenous peoples around the world. Why does it matter today? The Doctrine still influences public and religious policy, with the US Supreme Court citing it as recently as 2005. What's the purpose of this event? To support faith communities to learn about the Doctrine with guest speakers and group reflection, understand its real-life impacts on Indigenous peoples, and act with hope and courage to repudiate it.  How can we participate? Each faith community is invited to bring a group of 5 or so people to the event on November 5th in Fargo, ND. If possible, we welcome donations of $100 from each faith community. Details here, or contact Rev. Karen Van Fossan,  701.202.2421.

DAKYOUTH 2022 | November 11-13
    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 November 11-13 at the Center for Recreation and Culture in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Join us for awesome music led by Pastors Clay Lundberg and Taylor Johnson and awesome speakers– Stephanie Caro, Mark Oestreicher, and Andrew Root. This year the DAKYOUTH theme will be “Good vs. Evil.” The scripture focus is Isaiah 5:20. Register and get the details here. 

Shoebox Christmas | Spread some cheer
    Each Christmas season, United Methodists from across the Dakotas Conference and beyond bring the gifts of Jesus in a shoebox.  Shoebox Christmas gifts are distributed to over 5,000 children across five Native American reservations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Get details.

Clergy Benefits Academy | November 14-16
    Clergy Benefits Academy sponsored by Wespath for clergy in the Dakotas Annual Conference under appointment in a local church. Clergy Benefits Academy returns to offer a wonderful in-person experience in Colorado on November 14-16, 2022.  A great opportunity to include your spouse and/or your colleagues in learning and connection in a beautiful location. The Board of Pensions and our Area clergy well-being initiative are partnering to cover up to $1500 of the expenses for you or up to $2000 for both you and your spouse. Register by October 14, 2022. Contact Leana Stunes with questions about funding. 

Annual Conference Special Session | November 19, 2022
    Bishop Deborah Kiesey is formally calling a special session of the Dakotas Annual Conference for November 19, 2022, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Central, 8:30 a.m. Mountain. The agenda will include one business item: consideration of resolutions ratifying the disaffiliation of local churches from The United Methodist Church according to the provisions of ¶2553. See a message from the Dakotas Conference Cabinet addressing disaffiliation misinformation here. Registration is now open.

RESOURCES

National Hispanic Heritage Month | Sept. 15 - Oct. 15
    During National Hispanic Heritage Month, The United Methodist Church is called to incorporate and listen to Hispanic voices and speak out in support of them being heard in the public forum. ResourceUMC offers several ways for churches to observe the event. Click for ways to celebrate.

Join the #BeDakotasUMC movement
    #BeDakotasUMC is a grassroots movement to live out our beliefs, vision, values and our connection as United Methodists in North and South Dakota. Congregations and people across the Dakotas are celebrating what draws us to be The United Methodist Church. Here some resources to join the movement. Access graphics, or tell us your story. 

October is Pastor Appreciation Month
    October is Pastor Appreciation Month! UMC Support also wants to help. Here are some free social media graphics to share with your community. Graphics come in the correct sizing for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to download.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

SOP Director | Deadline extended
    Might you be called to serve as the next director of the Solar Oven Partners ministry? Click to see if this is right for you or someone you know.

Dakotas Conference Assistant Benefits Coordinator  | Apply now
    The Dakotas Conference Benefits Office is seeking a full-time Assistant Conference Benefits Officer.   Assist in the administration of the Dakotas Conference clergy and lay staff benefits program. Must have the ability to organize, problem solve, maintain records and have oral and written communication skills.  Knowledge in the use of data bases and computer skills important. If interested, please send resume to Leana Stunes. Job details here.

Executive Director | Center for Connectional Resources and Administration
    Come work with us! The Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is hiring a new position. The executive director will join a team with a culture of excellence, creativity, and respect, to serve our churches. They will manage finance and administration matters in support of our mission to equip and support congregations across the Dakotas. Please send resume and cover letter to Kelsey Morgan in the foundation office.

Executive Director of Finance and Administration
    The Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is seeking an experienced financial professional to partner in leading and stewarding the vision and resources of the Annual Conference. The Executive Director of Finance and Administration is a full-time, exempt position. A full description and list of qualifications can be found at here.  Interested applicants should send a resume and professional references along with a letter describing qualifications for this role to kelsey.morgan@dkmnmf.org. Applications will be received until October 1, 2022.

Sturgis UMC After-School Ministry Coordinator 
    This part-time position creates, leads, plans, and implements a well-organized, exciting, character-building, developmentally appropriate, Christ-centered, after-school ministry for grades K-4. Please see details on the Sturgis (SD) UMC website here.

Technology Coordinator | Downtown Mitchell First UMC
   Downtown First United Methodist Church has an opportunity for you! In this part-time role, the Head Technology Coordinator will oversee the technology for worship, presentations, livestream, and radio broadcasts. You must be available for Sunday morning services and other services as needed (funerals, weddings etc.). Salary will depend on your skills, but we are willing to train the right individual. For more information and to download the application, click here.