Pray with us | November 16-22
    Lord, You are my pillar of strength and shield. You are also my Shepherd—the One who always guides me. Father, as I/we head out for the day today, be with us and guide our thoughts and actions. With Your help, good and new things will happen to us and any environment we might be. We pray for all of God's people but especially these persons.

DWU Nonprofit Church Leadership | Nov. 18 webinar
    Over the last three years, nearly 100 pastors and their churches have benefited from the NPCL program. NPCL is a 21 graduate credit hour, online, certificate program for working ministry leaders that builds acumen in financial development, governance, talent management, project management and communications, while offering yearlong professional coaching and executing a major church project that leads to significant ministry impact.  An informational webinar about NCPL program will be held on November 18th at 10 AM CT. Download the informational flyer for more information, including details on how to RSVP for the event.

Health benefits for full-time and three-quarter time clergy | Register by November 18
    Attention full-time and three-quarter time clergy.  It was announced at Annual Conference this year that starting in 2022, it will be mandatory for all full-time and three-quarter time clergy to be on the conference health insurance unless they opt-out. Details here.

Soul Fill-up | Wednesdays 8am MT /  9am CT
    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. CT, 8:00 a.m. MT.

COMING UP

2021 Thanksgiving Offering | Feeding the Dakotas 
   The 2021 Bishop's Thanksgiving Offering is "Feeding the Dakotas." Bishop Laurie Haller invites all congregations to prayerfully consider a gift to help fight hunger throughout North and South Dakota. Your gifts will be distributed to Feeding South Dakota, Great Plains Food Bank, and local hunger ministries. Bishop Laurie writes, "Jesus instructs us to 'Let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven' (Matthew 5:16)." The 2021 Thanksgiving Offering provides the opportunity for us to be light and living hope for those crying out for love, compassion, justice, and grace in their lives."

UMC Student Day | November 28, 2021
    Gifts to UMC Student Day fund scholarship programs for promising United Methodist students. This includes programs like the Rev. Dr. Karen Layman Gift of Hope Scholarship. It is a scholarship designated for undergraduates with at least three years of membership in The United Methodist Church. Click here to access resources for UMC Student Day.

A Very Dakotas Christmas 2021 | Available December 20
     The Dakotas Conference Cabinet is preparing an online worship service, "A Very Dakotas Christmas 2021," for congregations to use December 26 or on another day. The service will be available on December 20. Clergy will receive an e-mail notification that the service is ready for download. This service will be casual, with United Methodists across North and South Dakota leading the worship. We invite you to enjoy worship at home from the homes of others!

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.

Sites and Sounds of the Season | Share with us
    Are you getting ready to decorate? Do you have special Christmas tradition at your church? Please share it with us. Advent will soon be upon us, and that means the sights and sounds of holiday decorations, cherubs, and nativities are all around us. Now it's easy to share your advent photos and short videos with the rest of the Dakotas Conference folks online. Please share your best photos from your church's events to us by e-mail. A post in facebook works, too.   #DakotasSightsandSounds

In our hearts: Kenny Avery
    We extend sympathy to the family and friends of Kenneth "Kenny" Wayne Avery. Kenny is the father of Rev. Martin Avery who serves in extension ministry with Canaan Moravian Church.  View a full obituary here. 

RESOURCES 

2021 Journal | Available online and for download
     The 2021 Journal of the Dakotas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is now available online and for download. The Journal includes the business for the 28th Session of the Dakotas Annual Conference, held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and virtually.  If you prefer to order a printed copy ($13.93/ea. plus shipping and handling), please click here. 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads 

Jamestown First UMC | Director of Discipleship
    This position at Jamestown First UMC, in Jamestown, ND, will assist the Senior Pastor and the Education Committee in developing and implementing special projects and formation events. They will also coordinate Christian Education and recruit and supervise teachers and volunteers, and more. See the complete posting for this full-time position here.