Online auction for hunger needed by September 15

In 2016, we hosted the first online quilt auction in the Dakotas Conference.  We are planning another online auction with quilts, gift packages (like weekend getaways), woodworking items and handcrafted items on October 1-8, 2017. Please consider donating an item like a quilt, woodworking or gift package.  All items must be at the Dakotas Conference office by September 15, 2017. Fill out this form so we have information about your item for the auction.
If you have questions, contact JoAnn Schlimgen via e-mail here, or call (605) 990-7787.
Proceeds from the auction will support Dakotas Conference, UMCOR and global hunger projects.
(The quilt pictured is from Minot Vincent UMC and was auctioned last year.)

Lead Expectantly—Sept. 22-23

Join us for the Lead Expectantly—the fall leadership event.  Come learn about “out of the box’’ innovations to lead in your church and community.  Please register by clicking here.
The event will be held at Pierre First UMC, 117 N Central, Pierre SD 57501, beginning with opening worship on Friday, September 22 at 1:30 p.m. and will conclude with closing worship at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, September 23.
Click here for more details.

UMCOR kit collection

Moving vans will be available at several locations (listed below) to accept your boxes of UMCOR kits.

UMCOR Kits can also be brought to the Conference Office in Mitchell by Sept. 29 and also to the Prairie Hills West Mission Event at Wall UMC on Oct. 1 and the Mission Fair at Southeast Pierre UMC on Sept. 16.
If you have questions, contact JoAnn Schlimgen via e-mail HERE, or call (605) 990-7787

Fall mission events

The 2017 mission season kicks off on Saturday, September 16th at Southeast Pierre UMC with the Mission Fair, continues on Sept. 30th at Southern Hills UMC (Sioux Falls) with the Mission Cafe and Bakery, and wraps up on October 1 with Southwest District at Sturgis UMC.

Finance and stewardship workshops (Winner cancelled)

The Dakotas Council of Finance & Administration, Dakotas United Methodist Foundation, and Sioux Falls First United Methodist Church invite you to attend a training at: Winner UMC, September 16: Fargo First, September 30; Rapid City South Maple, October 19; Dakotas Conference Office in Mitchell, November 2. The training begins at 9 am and concludes by 1 pm. Lunch will be provided.  Topics included are: raising up generous givers, cultivating major donors and church finances in a digital age. This workshop is open to church treasurers and finance committee members as well as anyone interested in giving and stewardship. Lunch is provided.
Please register by emailing the Foundation office or calling 605-990-7790 so we know how many to plan for lunch.  

Bishop Ough invites you to conversations on A Way Forward

An invitation from Bishop Ough: This fall (September – November), I will be hosting 15 regional conversations across the Dakotas-Minnesota Area regarding the Commission’s work. I am eager to keep you informed about their deliberations and progress and, more significantly, to gather your thoughts about a way forward. I am interested, among other things, to engage in dialogue about how you see The United Methodist Church remaining united in the presence of significant cultural, regional and theological differences.
Click here for details.

Dakyouth 17

Have any plans November 10th-12th? If not, come join us at DakYouth 2017 in Aberdeen, SD! DakYouth is an event for both M.S. and H.S. youth throughout the Dakotas United Methodist Conference. This year's theme is grounded in Proverbs 3:6 and will focus primarily on "Direction".
Click here for details

Local church happenings

lluminating the Word: The Saint John’s Bible in Fargo-Moorhead—The Saint John’s Bible is a monumental undertaking appealing to our understanding of faith, art, and history, and we are so excited to bring it to the Fargo-Moorhead community. October 1 through December 31, 68 original folios of the first illuminated and handwritten Bible will be displayed on the 4th floor gallery of The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, The Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Avenue North, Moorhead, MN 56560.  Click here for details.

Used book sale at Mitchell First— Saturday, October 21 at 10 AM - 2 PM at First United Methodist Church, Mitchell, SD, 310 N Rowley St., Mitchell, SD 57301. Book donations can be dropped off at the Rowley St entrance Mon. thru Fri. in the mornings. If you have a lot of books to pick-up, call the church at (605) 996-7721. Thank you!