THIS WEEK

Pray with us | August 17-23
    Guide me Lord, you are my heart, you are my strength, you are my hope. Teach me Lord, and guide my way I love you more each passing day. We pray for all of God's people especially these persons.
 
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.

Big House Band Concert | August 18th 
    Fargo Faith UMC's Big House Band is presenting a free concert at the Island Park Gazebo area in Fargo on Wednesday, August 18th at 7 p.m.  Anyone who enjoys contemporary and traditional works of Christian music should plan to join us.  Free root beer floats will be served before and during the performance. If there’s anyone in your congregation who might enjoy a summer concert in the park featuring uplifting music, we encourage you to invite them to the show.  We’d love to see lots of our local Methodists out enjoying this concert. It will also be streamed live on facebook here.

COMING UP

Clergy Total Well-being Survey | Take it now
   We have an opportunity to apply for a third phase of our Lilly Grant related to the many challenges facing our pastoral leaders to provide support, services, and financial relief to clergy most harshly affected by the pandemic and to expand our programs to reach more clergy with needs. Your input would help guide the design of a future proposal. Take this brief, anonymous survey here.

Walk to Emmaus - East | September 17-19, 2021
    Have you attended the Walk to Emmaus? If you have, then we have an event for you.  This fall we are holding retreat at Lake Pointsett Camp and Retreat Center, September 17-19, 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.

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.

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, 2021
    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.

RESOURCES 

Grants Available for Local Church | Racial/Ethnic Ministries
    Grants up to $10,000 will be available this fall from Discipleship Ministries to strengthen leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship and spiritual formation in ethnic local United Methodist churches. The application deadline for Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns (RELCC) grants is Sept. 1. Click here for more information and to apply.

Explore United Methodist | Photos
    UM News has thousands of images from around the world of The United Methodist Church in action. These images are free to use for United Methodist organizations that provide an identifying credit. See photos here. 

Looking for videos?
  For the past several years the Dakotas Conference has been capturing the stories of ministry across North and South Dakota. Churches are free to download and use any of the videos. Access videos here, or contact us at Dakotas Conference Communications. 

In our hearts | Lois E. Baker
    We lift up in our hearts the family and friends of Lois E. Baker, of Williston, North Dakota.  Lois, the mother of Rev. Ray Baker, passed away on August 7th, 2021. Rev. Baker shares these words of reflection, hope, and thanksgiving. Read the full obituary here.

JOBS | ADS | OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Bismarck McCabe | Contemporary Band Leader / Operations Director
    Requires a self-motivated individual with a broad musical and instrumental background and the ability to manage and lead the band and the worship experience at McCabe. Responsibilities include selection of music and lyrics that fit the worship plan; scheduling and conducting rehearsals; recruit, supervise, and mentor band volunteers; lead the band and congregation in worship; and management of band related equipment. Apply online here.  See details at link above  or contact the church at Bismarck McCabe UMC Office or call 701-255-1160.
   McCabe UMC is also hiring an Operations Director to perform the day-to-day accounting, financial and facility management duties for the church. This position requires a self-motivated individual with a broad background that emphasizes hands-on accounting skills, finance, budgeting, internal controls and personnel management.  Apply online here. Resume required with application. See details at link above or contact the church at Bismarck McCabe UMC Office or call 701-255-1160.

Pierre First UMC | Discipleship Coordinator
    Pierre First UMC is lookin for a Discipleship Coordinator provides opportunities for church and community members and their families to follow Jesus wherever we live, work, and play. This includes, but is not limited to developing, coordinating, and administering discipleship and mission opportunities as well as providing leadership and supervision of staff members and volunteers involved in these ministries. This is a full-time position. View a job description. Apply by contacting: tanya.lieberman@pierrefirstumc.org or call 605-220-2812

Pierre First UMC | Children and Youth Ministry Director 
   First United Methodist Church in Pierre, South Dakota, has two job openings.  First UMC is seeking a Children and Youth Ministry Director. This is a 20-24 hour a week position to develop coordinate the church’s ministry with children, infants through 12th grade including Wednesday School and youth group.  View job description. Apply by contacting: tanya.lieberman@pierrefirstumc.org or call 605-220-2812

Dakotas Conference | Church Planter-New Congregation Developer
     The Dakotas Conference is seeking a planter/new congregation developer.  The opportunity exists in a college town in partnership with a center city UMC church that seeks to form a relevant new worship and discipleship community for young adults and new people.  Best applicants have entrepreneurial gifts, disciple making experience and an evangelistic heart.   For details, please contact Rev. Ben Ingebretson here.

OTHER JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS |  VIEW ADS 
    Jobs available at Southern Hills, Canyon Lake, and Asbury UMC. 

NON-CONFERENCE EVENTS OF INTEREST

New Amplify Live Webinar: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity
   Thursday, August 19th at 2:00pm CT, join Robert P. Jones, author of White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, as he discusses with author Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey why Christianity’s role in white supremacy cannot be overlooked any longer. Additional information and registration here.

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. 

Non-Conference Event: New Day conference | August 20-21
    This event is for all clergy and laity interested in hearing about the Global Methodist Church, the possibility of a conservative regional annual conference, and ways clergy and laity can prepare for the upcoming denominational separation. All clergy and laity  are welcome to attend regardless of where you may fall on the theological spectrum.  Get more details and register.