 | | 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.
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April 16-18 -- Dakotas School of Ministry will be held April 16-18 at Watertown Cornerstone. Guest speaker will be author of "I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church" and Church Coach, Paul Nixon. Watch for registration forms to be available soon. ____________________ 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 29, 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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Dakota Conference youth connect in new ways
Bismarck, N.D., Rapid City, S.D., Sioux Falls, S.D. and Wesley Acres, N.D. -- On January 27-28 over 90 youth of the Dakotas gathered at Sioux Falls, Storm Mountain Center, Bismarck and Wesley Acres Camp for the first ever Winter Connection sponsored by the CCYM. The youth spent Friday night playing games, discussing prayer in small groups, participating in prayer stations for worship and watching a movie at each of the four locations. Saturday morning youth throughout South Dakota and North Dakota connected together via DAVID to interview and elect the 2012-13 CCCYM. Following the elections each group had a different fun activity at or near their location. It was extremely entertaining to watch the youth interact over DAVID when we took a break from the election process.
Kris Mutzenberger, Dakotas Conference Coordinator for Youth Ministries, notes, "Special thanks to DWU for their assistance at our Storm Mountain Center event; the CCYM adult volunteers who organized at each site, the CCYM youth and to Dayne Zachrison for figuring out an ingenious way to electronically tabulate all the ballots."
Things Youth Can Do with DAVID (Dakotas video conferencing system)
1. Share snacks
2. Yoga
3. Do the Chicken Dance
4. Multi-state Wave
5. Sing Happy Birthday in a Random Round
6. Re-connect with Mission Trip and Camp Friends
7. Create Snack Envy (Nutella...mmmmm!)
8. Camp Song Sing-a-Longs
9. Dance Party
10. Elect the 2012-13 Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM)
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Preview to church restructuring debate
 TAMPA, Fla. (UMNS) - Delegates to The United Methodist Church's top lawmaking body - the 2012 General Conference- got a hint of the debate to come regarding restructuring the denomination at the Pre-General Conference News Briefing. The briefing participants heard an overview of restructuring legislation and concerns about the plan.
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BAGS for Tomorrow
 Groton, S.D. - Groton United Methodist Church has started a new mission project BAGS for Tomorrow. The mission of BAGS is to supply children with food on the weekends in Groton. To learn more about this project click here...
Submitted by Kay Brandt, Mission Chairperson, Groton UMC
Click here for more information on BAGS for Tomorrow
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Remember the Future
Join Robert Schnase for "Remember the Future: 30 Days of Preparation," a series of reflections as The United Methodist Church prepares for General Conference 2012. These daily meditations explore hope, purpose, leadership and making and becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. With Wesleyan, scriptural, and leadership themes, explore together the mission of the church in a time of great change.
Check out the sample reflection below, and sign up today to receive the first of your daily meditations March 26!
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In our hearts
Prayers are extended to Colleen Cadieux and family. Colleen is the mother of Colleen McKirdy spouse of Rev. Scott McKirdy, Spearfish UMC. Colleen continues to recover at home with ongoing heart problems.
Prayers for health and speedy recovery are extended to Marvin Wingstryg, pastor at Washburn/ Center/ Turtle, N.D. and family. Marvin has undergone some heart procedures in Rochester, MN.
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Whatcha Doing?
Ever wonder what youth are doing online and how to teach them about Internet safety? Internet safety is becoming a bigger and bigger issue. In fact it's so important that the Disney Channel has used the popularity of one of its best cartoons, Phineas and Ferb, to teach kids about being safe online. Check it out...
 | | Phineas and Ferb Rules of the Cyberspace Road Public Service Annoucement |
Realizing that Internet safety is an important topic for teens, The Crossing, the Dakotas Conference Event for Youth in 6-8th grade, will focus on cyber safety issues with expert Paul O'Briant. The Crossing will be held March 9-11, 2012, at Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD.
More information at www.dakyouth.com as it becomes available.
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Register for Change the World before April 16 and score a free reusable lawn banner!
 Register for Change the World before April 16 and receive a free lawn banner, sermon series bundle and T-shirt
In 2012, the church will come together, not only for General Conference, but also to change the world. United Methodists will extend justice and compassion in community on May 19 and 20. We will chart your event on the rethinkchurch.org map. National advertising will draw thousands of visitors to our website. They will see your church on the map and know how to join your event. 2,000+ events registered worldwide 2011 Change the World! Projects ranged from developing and enhancing community gardens to fighting human trafficking. Think now about how your congregation will Change the World! |
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Rethink Church Lenten series available
How are you reaching people for Christ this Lent?
United Methodist Communications is ready to help you with a free Lenten sermon series, online advertising and a multimedia bundle to help you include the broader community.
The Journey to Hope series begins with Christ's journey to the cross and connects with matters like relationships, money, work and suffering to share the hope that exists beyond life's most difficult issues. The sermon series was developed in 2010, and has been supplemented this year by small group, children and youth resources. A new multimedia resource bundle will assist in bringing messages to life (in the sanctuary or classroom) as well as extending an invitation through newspaper, door hangers and more.
An online study component to Journey to Hope will be featured on rethinkchurch.org during Lent, offering your congregation another chance to connect with weekly themes and with those who may not have a church home. Digital advertising will connect newcomers to the site and provide an opportunity for them to learn about The United Methodist Church and local congregations. Be sure to review your Find a Church profile to make sure that it provides a welcoming online presence.
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Go to www.umcom.org/journeytohope to review and download the series, order the bundle ($25) and update your Find a Church profile. Questions? Contact rethinkchurch@umcom.org.
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Who are the delegates of General Conference?
There are 988 delegates to the 2012 General Conference. ... These delegates come from 5 U.S. jurisdictions as well as from groups of churches in Africa, Asia, and Europe that are known as "central conferences."
The Dakotas Conference has 2 delegates, 1 clergy and 1 lay. The lay delegate is Janelle Jones, Spearfish UMC and Conference Lay Leader. Jodi Cataldo, Dakotas Conference Director of Leadership Development will serve as the alternate lay delegate to the 2012 General Conference.
Rev. Rebecca Trez, Celebration UMC, Brandon, SD will serve as the Dakotas Conference clergy delegate. Rev. Greg Kroger, Bishops' Assistant for Connectional Ministries for the Dakotas Conference will serve as the alternate delegate for clergy of the Dakotas Conference. The complete list of delegates and much more information can be found on the website for the 2012 General Conference.
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Spearfish UMC to host concert
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J.A.M. Gardens in southeast Ohio says thank you
The following letter is from Jackson Area Ministries (J.A.M.), in Jackson, Ohio.
Congregations and/or individuals from your annual conference helped Jackson Area Ministries Seed Project (Green Thumb Project) assist over 3,000 individuals/families grow a vegetable garden. Many of these gardens were located in backyards. Nineteen of the 22 Appalachian counties of Ohio participated. Your seeds and financial donations, along with contributions from 28 other states, made this ministry possible. JAM Gardening enjoys a partnership with the Society of St. Andrew, through their providing 34,000 lbs. of seed potatoes.
Jackson Area Ministries expresses its deep appreciation to all who have contributed this past year(s). If you are interested in additional information or in participating in this year's effort, contact us at 1888-237-3141 or email jamjar@midohio.twcbc.com. Visit us on the Web: www.jamumc.org. Brochures and bulletin inserts are available from our office.
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You are invited to Mission to Minot: A week of work and fellowship to help with flood recovery
 | | Photo by Mike DeBose UN News Service. |
The Mouse River (or Souris River as it is called in Canada, its country of origin) snakes through and around the city of Minot, ND. While it appears tame, quiet, and even "mousy" now, it was anything but tame and "mousy" the spring and summer of 2011. The Mouse River threatened Minot during the spring thaw in April and May and then following heavy rains in late June overflowed its banks at a record level, leaving total destruction of buildings, homes, schools, and lives in its path. Over 4,000 homes were affected, many filled to the rafters with water that stood for weeks.
Can you imagine how overwhelming the cleanup and rebuilding must be for an individual or family? Picture yourself trying to do the repair work in your home, perhaps a couple of hours each evening or maybe on the weekends. And while you are trying to repair your home (which you probably are not able to live in) you continue working at your job, caring for your family and/or spouse or parents. You continue to attend your children's school and community activities (perhaps in a temporary location, too) and try to bring some normalcy back into your life. Progress is slow and comes to a grinding halt at times leaving you wondering if you'll ever know what "normal" is again.
In December the Dakotas Conference camping went to Minot and staff witnessed first-hand the strength and courage of the people in Minot. The camping staff spent two days doing reconstruction in a home in Minot. The resiliency of the people in Minot is a real testimony to their faith. The cleanup and rebuilding will take years.
The Dakotas Camping and Youth Ministry in partnership with Camp Kingswood in the Minnesota Annual Conference is hosting four weeks of mission work in Minot this summer. An all-inclusive $325 per person covers everything for one week. You provide your transportation and meals while traveling to and home from Minot and transportation to the work sites. Lodging and meals will be provided in the Burlington High School with anticipated work including demolition and construction, work at the Minot Zoo, work at parks in Minot, Burlington and the area. Lots of ministry of listening and caring is expected. All levels and skills are needed including grocery shopping and cooking.
Pray about how an intergenerational team from your church might help the Minot area while building new understanding and Christian Community in your church, too. For complete details check the camping website at www.dakcamps.org and click on 2012 Mission to Minot or email becky.holten@dakcamps.org. (605-990-7783).
Submitted by Becky Holten, Dakotas Conference Director of Camping and Youth Ministries
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Camping 2012
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Dakotas Camps 2012 Promo 2. Use this video to promote camping registrations at your church.
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2012 Sidewalk Sunday School
 Children of the Harvest is now taking applications for the Sidewalk Sunday School program This program is designed to travel the Dakotas and bring a fast paced Vacation Bible School program to churches that wish to have a children's outreach in their community. Sidewalk Sunday School will run from the 1st week of June through the 1st week of August. Requests will be accepted until the 31st of March and the schedule will be completed by the 10th of April. Please contact Mike and Libby Flowers at Childharvest@msn.com if you would like to participate in Sidewalk Sunday School this year.
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Dakotas School of Ministry will be held April 16-18 at Watertown Cornerstone. Guest speaker will be author of "I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church" and Church Coach, Paul Nixon. Watch for registration forms to be available soon.
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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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