NEW THIS WEEK!

Practical Church Leadership Certificate Program: July 2025

    Apply by May 1 for this year-long, online certificate program designed to increase a pastor's capacity to be an effective church leader and improve skills in financial stewardship and human resource management and development. The program is offered through Dakota Wesleyan University. Contact Diane Owen for more information.

Annual Conference 2025 Resolutions and Petitions
    Do you have a resolution, petition, or specific legislation you would like to have considered at the 2025 Dakotas Annual Conference, being held June 6-8, 2025, in Mitchell, South Dakota? All proposals for petitions and resolutions for the Dakotas Annual Conference Session must be submitted electronically, by March 21.  Items should be created using the Petitions and Resolutions form.  If you have questions about resolutions and petitions, you may contact Rev. Rebecca Trefz by e-mail or phone 605-990-7791. The Dakotas Conference Petitions and Resolution Committee will review submissions before being placed on the agenda for consideration at the upcoming Session of the Dakotas Annual Conference.

LUKE-ACTS 2025 - Reflections & Resources

Luke-Acts Reading 
    Chapter 7 contains an interesting interjection of John the Baptist sending a message to inquire if Jesus is "the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” He echos a very human struggle of faith - what happens when our expectations of how things should be don't seem to come to fruition, or at least not in a way that aligns with our plan or timeline. But Jesus responds with examples of God's Kingdom of love and justice becoming a reality: "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." (v. 22) John, like others, may have expected that the Kingdom would come through power and might - that God's people would "win" the day. Jesus' response invites us to bear witness to signs of healing and wholeness that show the truth and "power" of God's Kin-dom made real on earth as it is in Heaven. Additional resource: More than a Prophet

RESOURCES

Webinar - What’s Happening to Followers Under 40? | March 6
    Everyone seems to be wondering what we can do to be in ministry with younger families and individual. In this webinar, Rev. Rachel Gilmore, with respond to the questions: Where have our young adults gone? and “How can we get them back?” Rachel most recently served as the Director of Recruiting, Training and Assessing for lay and clergy church planters in the United Methodist Church.  Rachel and her husband, Rev. Brandon Gilmore, are pastors at Central United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Arizona where they are creating a new faith community while revitalizing the existing congregation. Rachel is also co-author of the new book from Market Square titled Followers Under 40.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: UMCOR Sunday, March 30
    UMCOR Sunday seeks to increase awareness and support for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)—a humanitarian organization that helps alleviate human suffering around the world by assisting the most vulnerable people affected by crisis or chronic need. UMCOR Sunday is one of six special denominational offerings each year. Gifts given on UMCOR Sunday cover UMCOR’s administrative costs so that 100% of donations given to UMCOR throughout the year can be directed toward on-the-ground relief and recovery efforts in communities facing disaster and hardship. Make plans for your congregation to participate in this offering!  Learn about UMCOR Sunday / Access pastor and leader kit

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)

Elisha/Samuel Intern applications
    Time is running out! Do you know a young adult or older high school student who has gifts for ministry or is sensing God's call in their lives? Encourage them to apply for an Elisha or Samuel internship TODAY! These internship programs allow students to explore, discern their call, and discuss where God is calling them while getting a taste of church and pastoral ministry.  Applications are being accepted until March 1. Churches interested in hosting an intern should contact their district superintendent.

Saving Grace Clergy Cohort | Registration open
    Registration is now open for the spring cohort: May 1 – June 12, Thursdays at 11:00 am – 12:15 pm.  Start the new year by finding the peace that comes with being in control of finances instead of having them control you. Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being is a practical resource written for the Methodist family and rooted in a Wesleyan perspective. This 6-week session which includes content on the unique aspects of clergy finances, will be led by Marcia Alexander. Learn more here. 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Jobs Available
    We're hiring! The following positions are open across the Dakotas Conference. Find out more information on our Conference website.
    Facilities Manager | Lake Poinsett Camp
    Custodian | Downtown First UMC, Mitchell, SD