THIS WEEK

Breakthrough Ministry Grants | Applications due today
    Breakthrough Ministry Grants: 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.

Discernment Retreat | Feb. 4 and March 4
    A discernment retreat is the entry point for those exploring a call to pastoral and lay ministry. Participants are equipped and inspired to serve as a leader in various ministry areas inside and outside your congregation. This Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores: personal spiritual gifts, servant leadership, each leader's role in developing future leaders, the importance of consistent spiritual practices, the core ministries of leading, caring, and communicating, and much more. Register here.
Dates and time:
Part I:  Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. central time; 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Mountain Time.
Location:  Canyon Lake UMC, Rapid City, SD, and Zoom
Part II:  Saturday, March 4, 2023, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. central time; 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Mountain Time.
Location: Canyon Lake UMC, Rapid City, SD, and Zoom

COMING UP 

 Clergy Financial Well-being Webinars | View details 
    The new year brings new wisdom and goals for financial health and well-being. Mark your calendar and save the dates for these upcoming webinars: Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. and Jan. 25 at noon: Financial Goals/Assessing, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 8 at noon: Clergy Taxes, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 23 at noon: Retirement Readiness for All Ages.

Lenten study | Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts and Outlaws
    Join Bishop Lanette Plambeck and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet in this six-week study on the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing Luke's unique insights about Jesus. In Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws, pastor and bestselling author Adam Hamilton explores the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Luke. Through Luke's stories, we find Jesus' care and compassion for all as he welcomes sinners and outcasts. As we study Luke and see Jesus' concern for those considered unimportant, we hear an encouraging and inspiring word for our lives today. Read more here.

Scholarships Available for United Methodist Students | Apply by March 1
    Applications are now open for scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Every year, UMHEF awards $2+ million to students planning to attend one of the 100+ UM-related colleges, universities, and seminaries across the country. Don’t let finances get in the way of achieving your dreams of a quality education! Apply by March 1 at https://umhef.org/apply. (Scholarships from UMHEF are separate from those offered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.)

Annual Men's Retreat | March 10-11
    Men, mark your calendars! Our annual men's retreat will be taking place at Storm Mountain Center on March 10 and 11. Friday evening we will gather to worship, learn, and fellowship with one another. Saturday we will have a work day serving the camp in a variety of ways. Register and get the details. 

Discernment Retreat | March 25 and April 29
    A discernment retreat is the entry point for those exploring a call to pastoral and lay ministry. Participants are equipped and inspired to serve as a leader in various ministry areas inside and outside your congregation. This Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores: personal spiritual gifts, servant leadership, each leader's role in developing future leaders, the importance of consistent spiritual practices, the core ministries of leading, caring, and communicating, and much more. Register here.
Dates and time:
Part I:  March 25, 2023, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. central time; 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. mountain time.
Location:  Conference Office, Mitchell, SD, and Zoom
Part II:  Saturday, April 29, 2023, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. central time; 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. mountain time.
Location: Conference Office, Mitchell, SD, and Zoom

AC Call for Petitions, Resolutions, and award nominations |Due March 31
    It is time to gear up for the 2023 Annual Conference. Do you have a resolution, petition, or specific legislation you would like to have considered at the 2023 Dakotas Annual Conference, being held June 8-10, 2023, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota? All proposals for petitions and resolutions for the Dakotas Annual Conference Session must be submitted electronically, by March 31, 2023. Several awards will be announced at annual conference. Some are chosen by the cabinet, some by CCYM, and some via open nominations.

RESOURCES

Teaching and Preaching Lent 2023 with Adam Hamilton | Feb. 2 online
    Join pastor and author Adam Hamilton as he discusses teaching church-wide and small group study and preaching in the Lenten season. Adam will also preview his new Lenten study, "Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws."

Dakotas Foundation scholarships | Apply today
    Several scholarships are awarded to seminary students, clergy, and undergraduate students by the Dakotas Conference and the Dakotas Methodist Foundation including the Merit Scholarship, Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship, United Methodist Dollars for Scholars and endowment scholarships. There are several due dates approaching. Get the details here.

Builders Club Winter 2023 | Piedmont Grace UMC
    Grace UMC in Piedmont invites everyone to join them on their journey in following Christ and discovering God’s grace. One way they want to do this is by installing a new digital sign that will help invite people to events and church, as well as share God’s love through scripture and messages of hope. Join the Builders Club and donate today.

IN OUR HEARTS

In our hearts | Everett Ruedebusch
    Sympathy is extended to the friends and family of Everett Ruedebusch, 95, who passed away in Grinell, Iowa on January 24, 2023.  Everett is father of the Rev. Robert (Bob) Ruedebusch, full elder of the Dakotas Conference. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Memorial visitation with family present to greet friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Sunday, February 12, 2023, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. View a full obituary here.

In our hearts | Betty Lieder
    Sympathy is extended to Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey and family on the death of Betty Carol Leggett Lieder, 98, formerly of Rochester, Minnesota, who died on Friday, January 13th 2023 at her new residence in Iowa City.  She is the mother of Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey, retired resident bishop of the Dakotas Conference. Betty Carol’s obituary is on our website. Online condolences may be shared here.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Watertown Children's Ministry Coordinator
    Watertown First UMC in Watertown, SD is hiring a Full-Time Children's Ministry Coordinator. See the Watertown First UMC website for more information: https://watertownfirst.church/about/team/now-hiring/