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Upcoming Events
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.
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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.
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Feb. 21-23 -- An event just for You! Ready for a New Song - Recreating Your Ministry" Children's Ministry Forum ' 12 will be at Calvary UMC in Nashville on Feb 21-23. It is designed for those who are leading and working with children - just like you! Check out this event at www.gbod.org/cmf To the left you on the web page you will find information about pre-conference seminars, workshops, registration, schedule and more. Registration fee increases on Feb 1 so don't wait. Register now!
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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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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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Church 2092 - Transforming our Congregations to Get There
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What will The United Methodist Church look like in 80 years? Will it survive? If so, how will we transform our congregations to ensure that they will arrive at 2092? Church 2092 is the first in a five-part series called "Dreaming of Vital Congregations" available for viewing NOW from the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), of the United Methodist Church. The next four films will be coming soon. Share this video with your colleagues.
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Brookings Senior High Youth raise over $1200
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The senior high youth at Brookings First United Methodist Church participated in the SOUPER Bowl of Caring on February 5th , developing and leading both worship services. They raised over $1200 to go to the Brookings Backpack Project which sends food home with underprivileged children who might not have anything to eat over the weekend. In addition, 330 food items were donated to the Harvest Table, a weekly no cost meal served at the church's Community Life Center.
Submitted by Kay Becker, Brookings First UMC
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Will restructuring cut vital ministry?
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Delegates consider legislation during the 2008 United Methodist General
Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2012, delegates will face varying
proposals to restructure the church. A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- Plans to restructure The United Methodist Church's 13 general agencies could imperil ministries that local congregations need and value, say agency executives. The members of the United Methodist General Secretaries Table released a statement Jan. 26 to respond to proposals that would consolidate agencies, shrink their governing boards and potentially slash their funding. The General Secretaries Table consists of the chief executives of the 13 general agencies. |
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Briefing previews General Conference issues, petitions online
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 TAMPA, Fla. (UMNS) - Diverse issues presented at a recent three-day briefing signaled the workload ahead for the lawmaking body of The United Methodist Church, which meets this spring. More than 300 delegates, communicators and others who will be part of the 2012 General Conference met Jan. 19-21 at the Tampa Convention Center, site of the legislative assembly, for a preview of some of the issues they will face April 24-May 4.
Click here to read more
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Alpha group brings people together in Winner
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 Winner, S.D. -- The Winner UMC started an ALPHA class for the first time on January 23rd. The group started with 30 people, which turned into 3 small groups. The people attending are from both inside and outside the church. There is even a couple that are not churched attending. It is a great time of fellowship, learning, laughter, and of course eating together. One of the neat things is that some people come forward to do free babysitting. If you are looking for a great ministry for your church Pastor Val Rush and The Winner United Methodist Church highly recommends ALPHA.
Submitted by Rev. Val Rush, Winner UMC
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Paul O'Briant, Expert on Cybersafety, to Help Parents and Educators Explore Internet Safety as a Christian
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Paul O'Briant gives the opening address at the CyberSAFEty in Ministry conference in Nashville. A UMNS photo by Jeanette Pinkston.
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7:00 PM, Thursday, March 8 Sherman Center, DWU Campus and Via Live Streaming
According to the most current statistics released in March of 2011, over 78% of individuals in the United States use the internet. Of that 78% over 322 million of them have Facebook accounts. "I think it's important for churches to consider a presence in cyberspace because that is where the people are," said Paul O'Briant
Director of technology for Currituck County Schools in North Carolina, O'Briant cited U.S. statistics . . .that two-thirds of Internet users have searched for spiritual topics online. "So much of the population uses cyberspace on a daily basis and searches for answers in that space, so we need to be there where they are," he said.
With the opportunities of cyberspace come dangers as well. "I think it's important if we are going to go into that space we understand the dangers and how to keep our people safe. Understanding that our kids and congregations are already in those spaces, we need to provide them the tools they need to keep safe," said O'Briant.
We encourage individuals in the Mitchell area to attend personally. However this is such an important topic the presentation will be live streamed so any one any place in the Dakotas and beyond can participate. Gather your friends, members of your Christian Education Team and members of your congregation to join you on the "big screen" at church or where ever it is convenient to participate. Go to http://www.dwu.edu/live/. Further instructions on how you may interact with Paul during the presentation will be given at the beginning of the evening.
Mark your calendar, invite your friends and join us on Thursday, March 8 to learn more about cybersafety. Paul has also co-authored "Cybersafety for Families". This kit is available in our Conference Resource Library by contacting Bonnie Carlson, resource librarian (605-996-6552 or bonnie.carlson@dakotasumc.org.
Becky Holten, Director of Camping and Youth Ministry
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Holy Land tour invitation
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If you have ever dreamed of visiting the Holy Land, you are invited to join a tour group going this fall, October 14-24. Pastor Roger and Joan Spahr will be hosting their third tour and wish to open it to anyone in the Dakotas Conference. If you are interested in more information please call Cornerstone UMC in Watertown. 605-886-2242
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2012 Camp Registration Now Open
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Important Registration Changes Worth Noting
The 2012 camping brochures have arrived! And each church should now have a camping packet with extra brochures and registration information, as well. If not, please shoot me an email at becky.holten@dakcamps.org or give the camping office a call at 605-996-6552.
Thank you so much for your help in inviting and encouraging individuals to attend camp. We have camps for all ages and folks in all stages of life and want to work in partnership with you to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
The following changes and information are important for you to note as campers complete the registration process.
- The grade level is the current grade for the 2011-2012 school year.
- Shepherds for Sonshine, Dayspring, Sonseekers, and Elementary Visual Arts Camps will pay $25 for a one day camp and $50 for a two day camp.
- Adult volunteers may register on line. Volunteers must register at least seven (7) days prior to the start of camp in order to provide time to complete the background check. Only adults with a current, clean background check will be allowed to work on site in the program ministry with the campers.
Please note the changes below which we think will make the registration and payment process easier.
- Early Bird Deadline is April 27, 2012. Full payment of only the camper registration needs to be received or postmarked by April 27, 2012 to qualify for the Early Bird rate.
- All welcome letters and any additional forms needed for each camp are located on the camping website at www.dakcamps.org and can be printed off at the completion of on line registration or at any other time you visit the website.
- New this year, a camper report will be routinely emailed to the church to keep you better informed of your campers that have registered on line or been entered into the data base.
- The best way for churches to pay is with a church credit card that can be charged when each camper registers. We accept Discover, Visa and Master Card. If you provide us with a credit card number a receipt will be emailed to you each time your credit card is charged.
- If you pay by check you will be billed in mid-June when all the hard copy registrations have been entered into our data base. We will expect payment within three weeks of receipt of that bill in order for your church to qualify for the Early Bird Rate if the camper registered by the early bird deadline of April 27, 2012.
Please feel free to call me at any time with questions or suggestions. While I can't guarantee I have an answer or can make the change I am interested in visiting with you. We can't make things easier for you in the local church unless we know your concerns so please do touch base with me. Thanks.
Becky Holten, Director Camping and Youth Ministries
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Whatcha Doing? Attending the Crossing!
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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. Comedian Daren Streblow (www.darenstreblow.com) will perform Friday night. Bishop Deborah Kiesey will be the guest preacher at Saturday night worship. The Broken Resolve will be the worship band as well as present a concert later on Saturday evening. Cost is $70 for youth and $50 for adults and CCYM members. A cross state bus will travel from Spearfish to Mitchell on Friday and back across the state on Sunday morning. Registrations and a $30 non-refundable deposit are due February 24 to qualify for the free t-shirt. Questions, contact the Conference Office at 605-996-6552 or email becky.holten@dakcamps.org. More details and registration forms available at www.dakyouth.com and www.dakcamps.org.
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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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