"Friends, we will walk on through this valley because God is with us. So take heart church."  —Rev. Kris Mutzenberger

Rev. Kris Mutzenberger currently serves as the discipleship pastor at First United Methodist Church in Fargo, North Dakota. On July 1, 2020 she will serve as the Northeast District Superintendent for the Dakotas Conference. Read the full message here. Read more about Rev. Mutzenberger's ministry here. 

Pray with us | March 31- April 6
    Remember, no storm lasts forever. Hold on. Be brave. Have faith! Every storm is temporary and we never face the storm alone. God is with us. Always. This week lift up all of the bold, innovative  leaders  who are bringing us the Good News in new ways, we especially lift up these leaders and ask that you  pray this week. 

April 2 | Telling the old story, in a new time: Best practices for worshiping online and beyond in a physically distanced world: Join author, creative worship and guest readiness coach, Jason Moore for a 90-minute webinar, on April 2, 2020, 5-7 p.m. MDT / 6-8 p.m., for how to face these unique challenges to worship. Jason will lead your church into a deep dive through the questions and answers that must be asked and addressed as we worship today. REGISTER HERE

April 12 | Easter will not be canceled: Join us for a message of hope this Easter: Celebrate the resurrection, in the United Methodist tradition, and watch a televised broadcast of Easter worship. Local congregations are encouraged to hold virtual worship  gatherings as planned. Consider inviting someone, who may not have a way to attend a virtual worship service, to view the broadcast. Get the details here. 

Online worship directory | details here
     Many churches across North and South Dakota are holding virtual worship. View a list of online services here. If your congregation is offering a broadcast, recording, or live option for worship and it is not listed please, or if the information listed is incorrect, please email the information here. We will continue to update the list. 
  
COVID-19 | Resources and updates
       There is a continuing effort to provide frequent email updates to inform and equip you as best we can to respond to COVID-19 within your congregation and community. If you have coronavirus-related questions for us, or things you'd like us to address in future updates, please email or phone the Dakotas Conference communication team.

Dakotas-Minnesota camps respond to COVID-19
        Keith Shew, who serves as the director of the camp and retreat ministry for the Dakotas-Minnesota Area announced that the five camping sites remained closes, temporarily, in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Shew says, "We’re still planning for an amazing summer camping season!" Register for camp for the 2020 season here. 

Reckless Love | 2020 Lenten study week six
     In the sixth and final chapter of Reckless Love, titled "Emulate Christ," Rev. Tom Berlin reminds us that we don't get to turn our love off or on, like a switch. We are to make it a discipleship that takes over our lives. Rev. Laurie Kantonen, district superintendent in the North Star District of the Minnesota Conference, and Rev. Rebecca Trefz, director of ministries for the Dakotas Conference, discuss their insights from Berlin's book. View the video here.

Annual Conference 2020 | Registration suspended until May 1
     As we deal with COVID-19, registration for the 2020 Annual Conference, to be held June 10-13, 2020, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota has been suspended until May 1, 2020. The Dakotas Conference leadership will continue to monitor the situation and will announce any changes on or before May 1, 2020.

General Conference 2020  | Postponed
     General Conference 2020 has been postponed until 2021. The Commission on General Conference is working on dates with the Minneapolis Convention Center. View the press release here. 

Non Profit Church Leadership Certificate Program | Applications due May 15
     Applications are being accepted for the 2020-2021 cohort of this program at Dakota Wesleyan University. The application deadline has been moved to May 15, apply here.