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Photo by Rick Craig
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Upcoming Events
Jan. 9- Feb. 13 -- Leading Worship 101 for Lay Leaders - January 9 - February 13, 2012 - Dan Benedict, Instructor at this link Leading Worship 101 will focus on basic worship leadership skills for lay persons ("liturgists" or "lay readers") who assist the pastor in leading Christian worship. If you currently help lead worship in your congregation or would like to prepare for such leadership, this course is for you. ____________________ Jan. 16-30 -- Biblical Storytelling I - January 16-30, 2012 - Beth Galbreath, Instructor at this link. This is a two-week introduction to the ancient-future art and spiritual discipline of telling the sacred stories of Scripture. Participants will learn to prepare, learn, and tell a Biblical text by heart (not "memory"). ____________________ Jan. 17-March 2 -- Growing Spiritually through Daily Discipline - January 17 - March 2, 2012 - Debra Dickerson, Instructor at this link .Participants will be guided in discerning God's direction for their lives, practicing daily disciplines, and reaching out in love. ____________________ Jan. 23-26 -- Prayer: Holy Conversations with God, which will be led by Pat Hoerth, a trained spiritual director and a United Methodist deaconess with extensive experience in teaching, leading retreats, and spiritual formation. The retreat will take place January 23-26, 2012 on Scarritt-Bennett's campus in Nashville, TN. Register: Online, download registration form or call (615) 340-7557. ____________________ Jan. 27-28, 2012 - Winter Connection (Overnight Event for Senior High Youth grades 9-12). A fellowship retreat for youth at which the CCYM elections will take place. January 27-28, 2012 at these regional locations: McCabe UMC in Bismarck, ND; Wesley Acres Camp by Dazey, ND; Storm Mountain Camp near Rapid City, SD and Asbury UMC in Sioux Falls, SD. For more information go to www.dakyouth.com _______________________ Feb. 1 -- is the deadline to apply for a 2012 Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Summer Internship in Washington, D.C. An application form can be obtained online at 2012 Ethnic Young Adult Internship. For more information, contact the Rev. Neal Christie, assistant general secretary, Education & Leadership Formation, General Board of Church & Society, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002, (202) 488-5611, or via email to Cindy Heilman, or Jennifer Gillyard. ____________________ Feb. 11-- Debi Nixon, one of the executive directors at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas will be at The Faulkton United Church on Saturday, February 11, 2012. She will present a one-day workshop based on her book, Catch: Attracting and Connecting Visitors. If you have questions contact Bill Hoffman at revwilly3@gmail.com or click here for a brochure. ___________________ Feb. 17-19 -- The Rushmore Area Lay Ministry Team is offering Lay Ministry Courses and a RETREAT time with fellowship, rest, and fun in the Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota! February 17, 18, 19, 2012, Storm Mountain Center, 23740 Storm Mountain Road, Rapid City, SD 57702. Click here for more information. ____________________
Feb. 27-29 -- Creating Jazz Liturgy, a workshop for pastors, church musicians, worship planners, seminary students, and others interested in jazz as legitimate music for worship. The workshop will take place February 27-29, 2012 on Scarritt-Bennett's campus in Nashville, TN. Register online here ____________________ March 4-6 -- Wartburg Theological Seminary's 31st Annual Rural Ministry Conference is being held on March 4th - 6th, 2012. This year's focus is "Courage in a Caring Community." The Rural Ministry Conference outreach is continuing to grow and has become an ecumenical conference for those working in small town and rural parishes throughout the Midwest. Participants can also view the information and register online at www.ruralministry.com
____________________ March 14-17 -- UMCOR Disaster Preparedness academy for the North Central Jurisdiction takes place March 14-17, at Koinonia Tetreat Center, 7768 Pilger Ave. N.W., South Haven, MN. Learn more here
____________________ March 23-24 -- Turn-Around Bootcamp: Strategies for your Congregation Featuring Paul Nickerson, March 23-24, 2012,Faith United Methodist Church, 909 19th Ave. N., Fargo, ND 58102. Click here for a schedule and registration information __________________ April 12-15, 2012 - 2012 PAUMCS Annual Conference in Richmond, Virginia. Download the Brochure . You may complete the registration (PDF-fillable) form by computer, but you'll still need to print it out and mail it with your payment. The brochure and registration form are also available on www.paumcs.org. ____________________ May 4-5, 2012 YOUTHworker Academy. Training from a qualified presenter from outside the Dakotas Conference. May 4-5, 2012, location TBA. For more information go to www.dakyouth.com _____________________ June 9-17, 2012 - Destination Motown, Come join us on a high school and adult oriented mission trip designed to serve others while working on economic disaster recovery work projects!! Mo-town Mission Experience partners with local agencies in the Joy-Southfield, Brightmoor, and Wyo-ming-Plymouth neighborhoods of Detroit, Michi-gan, to help share Christ's love as we work as His hands and feet in the community. Click here for more details. ____________________ July 22-28, 2012 -- Dakotas Conference Licensing School is going to be held at Living Waters Retreat Center at Lake Poinsett from July 22-28, 2012. Contact Jodi Cataldo, Dakotas Conference Director of Leadership Development at 605-996-6552 or Jodi.cataldo@dakotasumc.org for more information. ___________________
July 15-20 - Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries Institute, sponsored by GCFA, Nashville, Tennessee. The Institute provides outstanding advanced professional training and enrichment for United Methodist church secretaries from across the denomination. A participant who completes the program and meets the requirements set forth by the General Council on Finance and Administration is eligible to apply for certification as a Professional United Methodist Church Secretary. Click here for more information.
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Mondays @ Dakotas
January 17, 2012
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Dakotas Conference Communications would love to tell the story of how God is inspiring, energizing, transforming and calling your church to ministry. If you have a story to share, email Dakotas Conference Communications by clicking here by Thursday. Please submit articles in Microsoft Word format. Articles should be no longer than 250 words. Be sure to include the author, any people involved and the time line for publication, up to two weeks.
Pictures always appreciated!
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Three-Point Charge has several pleasant surprises
Milnor, Wyndmere, and Sheldon, N.D. -- The Milnor, Wyndmere, and Sheldon charge in southeast North Dakota had a very blessed November and December.
 | | Milnor Church photo by Bruce Blumer. |
Milnor UMC received a turkey and many of the fixings for a turkey dinner from our local bar and grill. The owner explained to Pastor Mike Ward: "I'm giving this to you because your church inspires me. My only hope is that you will use this food to make a meal and invite people
who normally wouldn't get an invitation to come to the meal." What an opportunity!
The Milnor church decided to couple the meal with our Christmas Program on Sunday, December 18th. A "Christmas Dinner" was prepared and served after the program. The congregation invited as many people as they could think of to enjoy hospitality. Church members especially focused on those who are lonely or in need of a little cheer. Approximately 65 people were served at the meal! An additional turkey and 2 half hams to the menu along with all kinds of fixings and desserts. There were very few leftovers. Many willing hands from the church put together the feast.
The Bar Owner and her husband were honored guests. After the meal was over, she said to Pastor Ward "This is exactly what I wanted you to do! Thank You!" However, the church was indebted to her!
 | | Wyndmere UMC photo by Bruce Blumer. |
The Wyndmere Church started a Church School Program on Wednesdays after school this fall. There are 11-12children in the program, most of which are unchurched. The enthusiasm that the children have brought to the Wybndmere church has been phenomenal. Children are not afraid to ask questions and their insights are amazing.
These children put on the first Sunday School Christmas Program the congregation had seen in a number of years to a full church, which included the parents and grandparents of our new children. All the people who attended a pot luck meal that followed the program. The church basement was filled with joy!
On December 24th, the Wyndmere Church had it first Christmas Eve Service in many years. Ironically, few of the "regulars" filled the pews. Those in attendance were all the new families from after school program! On that evening, Pastor Mike said, "You who are here tonight are our Christmas Present. A year ago you did not know us and we did not know you. We prayed to God to send new people to us, and you are the answer to our prayers. We love you and we are glad you are here."
 | | Sheldon UMC photo by Bruce Blumer. |
The Sheldon UMC had a miracle in November at the annual Harvest Festival. The church was very short on funds all year, and needed generous gifts to make ends meet and see us into a New Year. Fervent prayer was offered, and God blessed us with a $16,000 ingathering total! This represents an offering of more than $1000 per regular worshipper in the Sheldon church.
Pastor Mike Ward of Milnor, Wyndmere, and Sheldon United Methodist Churches states, "For all this, and so much more, we give thanks to God through Jesus Christ. And to all those multiple-point charges out there who struggle, we would say --Don't give up! We serve a Mighty God who is more than able to supply our needs (and even our wants)!"
Submitted by Pastor Mike Ward, Milnor, Wyndmere, and Sheldon UMCs
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Spreading the Good News with Cookies
 | | Photo submitted by Kari Shea |
Dickson, N.D. -- You are homeless, not because you can't afford a home, but that there is none to be had. So you are sleeping in your car, your truck, your RV, a motel room. It is the Thursday before Christmas. All of a sudden, there is a knock on your window. Who is there? I don't know anyone here that would come calling at this hour?
A band of United Methodist volunteers combed the city of Dickson, N.D. that night with cookie plates in hand, offering a bit of sweetness and an invitation to church to those in temporary homes. 150 plates of goodies were delivered that night to surprised and grateful people. The team found people from Honduras, Alaska, New York, Idaho, Oklahoma and other places. One man said he had been in Dickinson six months and this was the nicest thing that has happened to him here. Thank you to the volunteers who helped, the bakers, the organizers and the teams who distributed. It is in giving, that we received!
Submitted by Kari Shea, Dickinson UMC
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Winter camp inspires 100 youth
Winter Camp has become a annual event for the UMC youth and youth pastors in Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities. Over 100 youth in grades 6-12 and adults came together to learn more about God's Amazing Grace based on John Wesley's understanding on January 7-8 at inspiration Hills at Inwood, Iowa. The camp was led by youth pastors Michael Haddican- Sioux Falls Asbury, Don Vanderlip - Hilltop UMC, Ali McCormick - Southern Hills UMC, Dane Bloch - Embrace, Mark and Lisa Johnsen - Sioux Falls First UMC, Janice - Celebration UMC, Brandon, SD, Terry from Canton UMC and Brenda from Harrisburg UMC. It was an awesome weekend for transformation!
Submitted by Lisa Johnson, Sioux Falls First UMC
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Dakotas mission kits make an impact
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Rapid City, S.D. -- Have you ever wondered what happens to all of those mission kits that are gathered from the Dakotas Conference and sent off to UMCOR? LaRee Mayes of Rapid City First UMC came across the following letter that provides a glimpse of the impact of the gifts provided by the Dakotas Conference.
Dear Pastor and Congregation,
Greetings from the Community United Methodist Church in Yerington, NV. In the spirit of the connectional church, it is such a joy to write to you about our recent mission trip to the UMCOR Depot in Salt Lake City. On October, 27, fourteen people from our church made the 500 mile trip to Salt Lake City to volunteer our time for a day and a half.
When we arrive we were told we would be packing school kits to be shipped to Sudan. We were told that the Dakotas Conference had recently sent a shipment of school kits and we would spend our time unpacking the kits, making sure everything was in order, repacking the kits in UMCOR cartons (12 kits to a carton), stacking cartons on pallets to prepare for the shipping to Sudan. What fun I had unpacking the box(s) from your church knowing the love and care you put into each school kit. Many of you sewed the wonderful school bags and I'm sure the recipient, probably a child in a refugee camp, will be overjoyed with the gift.
In the 9 hours we worked, we packed 1344 school kits, all from the Dakota Conference, and there were more kits from your conference that we did not get to. But rest assured, the next week there would be more volunteers from somewhere in western US finishing up with the Dakota school kits and starting another project. We so enjoyed our service at the UMCOR Depot; we have signed up to return next year.
I personally wanted you to know that your kits were going to Sudan, that we blessed each pallet we completed, we prayed for you and your church and for the child who would receive your gift. Just think, a school kit assembled by a United Methodist in the Dakotas, shipped to Utah, packed by a United Methodist volunteer from Nevada will mke its way to one of God's children on the African continent. What a blessing for all of Thank you for all you do in God's kingdom.
In His Service,
Kris Beck
Community United Methodist Church
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In our hearts
Prayers are requested for Rev. Jim Cissell and family. Jim had two brain tumors surgically removed last week. He is still in intensive care at Rapid City Regional Hospital. You can send an e-mail message to Jim by clicking here.
Paryers are also requested for Colleen Cadieux and family. Colleen is the mother of Colleen McKirdy and mother in law of Rev. Scott McKirdy, Spearfish UMC. Colleen is undergoing some tests at Rapid City Regional Hospitial.
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You are Invited to the Winter Connection
You and your youth group are invited to the Winter Connection to be held on Friday and Saturday, January 27-28. Registration at each location to begin Friday night at 7pm.
Winter Connection is an overnight retreat at 4 regional locations!
Bismarck, ND - Wesley Acres Camp, ND - Rapid City, SD - Sioux Falls, SD
Join us January 27-28, 2012 as we come together to enjoy a time of games, devotion, worship, fellowship, movie, CCYM Elections via Video Conferencing and a location specific fun event. We will be connected by doing the same activities and seeing each other on the Saturday Morning Video Conference for 9-12th graders.
This is an event for grades 9-12 at Bismarck, Wesley Acres and Sioux Falls and an event for 6-12th grade at the Rapid City/Storm Mountain site only.
More details: including registration forms, basic schedules and site addresses go to: http://www.dakyouth.com/WinterConnection
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Laity elections
 I will soon be completing 2 terms as Conference Lay Leader (CLL) thus it is time to elect a new Dakotas Conference Lay Leader. Election will also be held for Associate CLL and 4 district lay leaders and will take place at the laity session of Annual Conference, Wed June 6, 2012 in Sioux Falls. Please give thought and prayer for laity with the gifts to serve. Contact me for information about these lay leader positions, jljones@rushmore.com
by Janelle Jones, Conference Lay Leader |
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Turn-Around Bootcamp
Turn-Around Strategies for your Congregation
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"Come and See"
Christian Educators Fellowship 2012 Conference
October 12-16, 2012
Green Lake Conference Center, Green Lake, Wisconsin
Go online for more details and to register here
Early Bird Registration ends February 29th
Dakotas Conference will provide transportation and housing for a limited number of persons attending. For more information contact Jodi Cataldo at jodi.cataldo@dakotasumc.org
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March 2012 mission trip opportunity
 Whether you are in this boat or might be someday, consider the following advice from Donna Fisher of Deadwood, SD and join our March 9-20, 2012 Haiti Solar Oven Mission Team. Donna writes the following in our upcoming newsletter.
Having prayed for and contributed to the Haiti Solar Oven Project for years, I said, I'll go someday but now is not the time. God decides the time, I guess, because it finally happened. I traveled to Haiti with the Nov. 5-15, 2011 team. What adventurous, hilarious, heart-breaking, brain-stretching fun! God moments abounded! My family physician and a mission trip veteran, warned me: "You'll come home with a whole in your heart!" He was right. To any of you reading this who've heard but resisted the call to build solar ovens with HSOP, just go!
For March 2012 trip details, please click here: http://www.gbgmumc.org/solarovenshaiti/images/InviteOverviewLtrMar2012.pdf
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Mondays Contact Info Doreen Gosmire Associate Director of Communications 605-996-6552.
Calendar Contact Info Click here to see the entire Dakotas Conference Calendar. If you have items you would like to add to the calendar contact Bonnie Carlson.
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