BOTH/AND Hospitality | Jan. 18, 6pm CT / 5pm MT
   Tonight at 6pm CT / 5pm MT, attend a brand new training called "BOTH/AND Hospitality" by Jason Moore. This new training is on how to do hospitality both online and in person. This integrates with his two other BOTH/AND trainings. It is not a repeat of that content, but focuses on how we are ready for guests online. Dakotas Conference pastors' fees are prepaid by the Dakotas Conference. Contact Bea Stucke to register at bea.stucke@dakotasumc.org.

Monday @ Dakotas | All past issues are online here
   Read stories of inspiration and information in the weekly e-news called Monday @ Dakotas. Subscribe and each Monday evening you will receive the newsletter in your e-mail inbox. Subscribe here. View past issues here. 

COMING UP

Winter Connection | CANCELED
   Due to the surge in the COVID-19 Omicron variant and the recent increases in hospitalizations across North Dakota and South Dakota, CCYM feels the safest course is to cancel 2022 Winter Connection. Anyone who has already registered will receive a refund.

Breakthrough Ministry Grants | Apply by January 31
   Breakthrough Ministry grants are provided through the generosity of United Methodist Churches across the Dakotas who faithfully give through their apportionments, Foundation funds, Endowments and Annual Conference Miracle Offerings. Projects supported through Breakthrough Ministry grants include outreach ministries, church/school partnerships, young adult/campus ministries, and culture of call.

Practical Steps for Loan Forgiveness Workshop | January 31, 1pmCST / 12pm MST
   Do you have educational debt? Are you paying attention to the changes coming from the federal government around loan forgiveness and forbearance deadlines? Do you have any idea how to start the application process for loan forgiveness? Join the FREE virtual workshop for clergy and anyone with federal student loans serving the public sector (including churches). More info and registration here. 

SPRC/PPRC Training | Feb. 7 or 8, 6:30-8:30pm CT / 5:30-7:30pm MT
    We invite the members of Pastor Parish Relationship committee to join the Dakotas Cabinet in a virtual Pastor Parish Relations Committee (S/PPRC) training event on the evenings of Monday February 7th or Tuesday, February 8th. The training will cover the appointment process, structure and purpose of the S/PPRC, helping and supporting your pastor effectiveness and more, plus a Q&A. Pastors and church offices, please ensure that your S/PPRC chair and committee members  receive this information. Please register here. 

BOM Candidacy Forum | February 15
   Are you unsure of all the steps and what is next on your journey as a candidate for ministry?  Here is your chance to ask questions and get answers! Join a Zoom call with Rev.  Sara McManus, the registrar for the Dakotas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, on Tuesday,  February 15, 2022, at 12pm MT / 1pm CT.  Get the details here. 

Men's retreat at Storm Mountain Center | Feb. 18-19, 2022
   Men of the Dakotas! Join us for our annual men’s retreat as we study Play the Man by Mark Batterson. Using this 4-session DVD-based curriculum we will wrestle with how our culture lost its definition of manhood, leaving generations of men and men-to-be confused about their roles, responsibilities, relationships, and the reason God made them men. From there we will come to understand what it means to be a man of God as we study Batterson’s seven virtues of manhood. Check out the information here and join us for the retreat.

Financial Foundations | Feb. 21 webinar
   Join the quarterly webinar at 7pm CST / 6pm MST. This quarter's topic is "Investigating your Balance Sheet." The balance sheet is often the most ignored financial statement. It's not nearly as exciting as a budget report or statement of profit and loss, but understanding your church's balance sheet can lead you to making some important decisions. Register here.

2022 Lenten Study | Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit
    Our relationship with God, who loves us beyond all measure, is a  journey. This Lent (March 2-April 17, 2022), the Bishop and Cabinet invite all Dakotas United Methodists to join an all-Conference Lenten book study. Reknowned author Henri Nouwen understood the spiritual life as a journey of faith and transformation that is deepened by accountability, community, and relationships. Spiritual Formation reveals Nouwen’s sage advice on how to live out the five classical stages of spiritual development. This Lent explore Nouwen’s unparalleled wisdom on how to move from the mind to the heart and live there in the center—the place where God dwells. More info here.

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!

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 Conferences for 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, SD, departing on August 15, 2022.

RESOURCES 

Follow Bishop Laurie's blog | Leading from the Heart
   Each week Bishop Laurie Haller writes a blog. You can read all of  Bishop Laurie Haller's blogs and subscribe here.

Scholarships from United Methodist Higher Education Foundation | Applications open
    The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) is accepting scholarship applications for the 2022-2023 academic year between January 1 – March 1, 2022. Students who are members of The United Methodist Church and planning to attend a United Methodist-related school, college, university, or seminary full-time are eligible to apply.

Human Relations Sunday | January 26
    The offering on Human Relations Sunday on Jan. 26, supports ministries of social justice and outreach like the Community Developers, Volunteer Service and Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs. The 2022 Human Relations Day Pastor and Leader’s Kit.These are digital resources that you can download, print out and insert to help promote this upcoming Sunday. 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads 

Fargo Calvary | Discipleship and Development Pastor/Director
     Fargo Calvary is seeking a Director of Discipleship and Development. This position is 15-20 hours per week. Calvary’s Discipleship and Development Ministries include the Calvary Ministry Institute, leadership development program, life/small groups, Bible studies, and life coaching programs (fitness, finance, and marriage). Email a cover letter and resume to hr@calvaryfargo.com. View a detailed job description here. 

Large Projector Screen available
     Steele/Tuttle United Methodist Church in North Dakota has a screen that is electric. The churcht replaced the large screen with a televsion. If any church is interested in the screen they can have it. Call  701-516-7407 for more details.