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Upcoming Events
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 9-11--The Crossing Middle School Youth Event for Grades 6-8th Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD. Cost: $70 per Youth; $50 per Adult. Registration Deadline: February 24 to receive the event t-shirt. Featuring...Comedian, Darren Streblow the musical styling and worship leadership of The Broken Resolve. Special Guest Speaker, Paul O'Briant. Saturday Worship Leadership by, Bishop Deb. www.dakyouth.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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Groundhog Day Race
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Jeffery Lemburg crosses the finish line at the Selby Groundhog Day Race. Submitted photo.
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Selby, S.D. -- The first annual Groundhog Day Race took place between Jeffery Lemburg and Pastor Elizabeth Massingill from the Selby/Mobridge UMC on February 8, 2012. Cheering them on along the way were the kids of the Genesis Choir and congregation members of the Selby UMC. Pledges were placed ranging from 1 cent per block to 1 dollar per block. The money will be split evenly between the children's church camping program and a mission project that Selby UMC youth choose.
The inspiration for this run according to Pastor Elizabeth, "I first noticed his speed and coordination when I watched him play baseball last summer. That kid is a natural athlete... and fast! On Wednesdays, when we would pick up the kids after school for Genesis Choir, Jeffrey always, absolutely always, wanted to run to the church. One day, as a lark, I said something about racing him and he grinned. So I started thinking seriously about how we could set up a race and came up with the idea of running on or around Groundhog's Day."
When Pastor Elizabeth asked Police Chief Knecht where the run should run take place he said, "There is a 6-block stretch of road at South Railway Street that would be perfect."
"Six blocks!! I was shocked; I am in my mid-sixtiess and 6 blocks at full steam is not possible for me! But then I figured, well, Jeffrey will start out fast and then he'll get tired too," noted Pastor Elizabeth. "By the time I'd run 2 blocks, I thought my lungs would explode. Jeffrey was already way ahead of me and still running full-tilt! I slowed to a walk at least twice just to catch my breath, and then started jogging instead of running. Jeffrey slowed just enough to look way behind him to see if his 'competition' was still running."
Submitted by Michelle Knecht, Selby UMC
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A heartfelt gift to Sierra Leone
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 Milbank, S.D. --The Sierra Leone Work Team from Central UMC in Milbank is planning to ship another 40 ft. container to Sierra Leone in October 2012. Bishop John K. Yambasu of the Sierra Leone Annual Conference has made the church aware of the plans to build a new United Methodist seminary in Sierra Leone with plans and construction currently underway. Milbank UMC has shipped some church furnishings, desks, etc. to be used in the new facility and now we are hopeful that they can assist in developing a resource library for them.
If pastors an laity throughout the Dakotas Conference have reference materials they would be willing to donate to this library, Milbank UMC will collect them at Annual Conference in Sioux Falls June 6-9, 2012. The volunteers at Milbank UMC will prepare the materials for shipping to Sierra Leone. There has been a Theological School in Sierra Leone, but, until now, no seminary specifically for United Methodist students has been available. The tremendous presence of the Cross and the Flame throughout the country of Sierra Leone attests to the great need to educate pastors who will ensure the growth of the United Methodist Church in that developing country for decades to come.
Submitted by Melanie and Rogers Reiners, Milbank UMC
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From the hearts of children to Haiti
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 | | Children in Haiti who gathered for a special Christmas celebration. Submitted photo. |
Big Stone City, S.D. -- This past Christmas the Tabor United Methodist Church, Sunday School class decided to do an alternative Christmas gift exchange with Haiti. Sunday School students at Tabor UMC decided instead of getting gifts for the kids or the teachers they would just give money to be used for Christmas gifts for children in Haiti. The entire church congregation also got inspired by what the kids were doing and donated some money to the project too. The presents would be given through a group called CCEM - Children's Cultural Club in Mizak. Angelica Laudermith, Pastor Iva Laudermith's daughter has been volunteering in Haiti for the last 2 years with an organization in Mizak. When Angelica was back in the states she shared more about the CCEM and about the kids in the area. The Sunday School children and the congregation of Milbank UMC ended up raising a little over $200 that was sent with Angelica back to Haiti.
Angelica says, "When I returned to Haiti, I was ready to shop for the kids in the city of Jacmel for children's gifts for the Christmas Party. I thought it wouldn't be that difficult to find small toys for the kids; maybe some coloring books and colors and soccer balls and jump ropes. I was wrong which saddened me. Jacmel is a good size city - maybe the size of Sioux Falls, SD or bigger and you can't find kid's toys! It is because there is not that great of a demand, I was told you could find more in Port au Prince. Feeding, and clothing your children and education is more important than giving them toys to play with, this is a sad reality of Haiti."
CCEM decided to buy soccer balls and other bounce-y balls for the group as a whole. Little sacks were bought for each child. The stacks were stuffed with cookies, candies, and colors (these were bought by previous teams in Haiti with Living Media International). Each child also received a jump rope. The kids had a great party with lots of activities, music, dancing, and theater, as well as a small meal. They were very happy about all the gifts and couldn't wait to play with the soccer balls. There was even money left from the contributions of Milbank UMC. These funds will be left to fund children's activities throughout the year.
Pastor Iva Laudermith, Tabor UMC noted, "Children in any country have amazing energy and life. It is beautiful to see the children in Big Stone City, SD involved in international missions at such a young age. They are so inquisitive and want to be a part of something that will make a difference for tomorrow. The kids in Haiti also wanted to give gifts back to the kids in the U.S., so they made bracelets to send back to the states for the kids in SD."
Sibmitted by Pastor Iva Laudermith, Tabor UMC
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50 days of prayer for General Conference 2012
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 50 Days of Prayer Before and During General Conference 2012, serves as an invitation to provide spiritual support to the 2012 General Conference. Electronic communication will make it possible for every local congregation in every part of the world to pray with and for the 988 delegates of the 2012 General Conference. Using the internet and free, downloadable files, every United Methodist will be able to read the same scripture, share the same insights, and pray the same prayer for 40 days prior to the General Conference in Tampa, Florida, as well as praying through each day of the General Conference, April 24 through May 4, 2012.
Click here to download this free resource from
The Upper Room's website, www.upperroom.org
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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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Cabinet Lenten Series
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Bishop Deborah Lieder-Kiesey and the Cabinet of the Dakotas Conference invite you to join with them in a Lenten study of 24 Hours that Changed the World by Adam Hamilton. Each week during lent beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending with Holy Week / Easter a video and print message will be available for use. The videos and messages will be sent out via the Mondays @ Dakotas e-mail list each Friday.
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Working hands and hearts needed
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 Storm Mountain Center, S.D. --The spirit of the camp is so alive at Storm Mountain Center (SMC). SMC is in need of that little extra push to make this "place apart" even nicer.
Storm Mountain has found a minimum of 100 bug trees on or very near the camp property. These trees need to come down, hauled away, burned by the start of summer. There are some of the trees located on U.S. Forest Service land. SMC has permission to cut those also. This is one big project and there is more.
Dan Patch cabin got new siding on the outside last fall but the inside has been gutted but not finished. Storm Mountain would love to have this cabin back in action by the start of the busy summer season. It would involve redoing some walls, replacing a floor where the old showers used to be, putting in some new doors, taking care of some plumbing issues, building a counter and a few more finishing details.
Five bunk beds sets need to be cut out, finished and assembled yet to have new beds in Dan Patch and 2 sets are needed yet in Gist Lodge. This is a time intensive project however; SMC could end up with some great beds!
Six lights need to be replaced in the fireplace room and four in the duplexes. Not a real tough project, just one that takes some time to get completed.
These next 4 are projects that SMC would love to complete by the end of the summer.
Creating another worship center just below the Gist Lodge with benches and a fire pit.
Installing a small overhead door in the old craft cabin so we can use it easier for storage of golf carts, etc.
Erecting a carport type building down by the swimming hole to be used for shade and for a meeting place out of the sun or rain.
Redoing the fence along the main sidewalk. It currently leaning, so SMC would like to take out and reset the poles.
Scot Jensen, Director at SMC states, "Volunteers have been such a blessing to the camp while I have been here and know that so many things have been accomplished using volunteers. Did you know that in the last 11 years that more than 20,000 hours have been given to the camp! This is truly fantastic and wonderful! "
So if any of these are calling your name, please do call to get more info. Storm Mountain's official Work Day is Saturday, May 19th but any day volunteers are welcome. Contact Scott Jensen, Director at SMC by calling 605-343-4391 to schedule a time to volunteer.
Submitted by Scott Jensen, Director Storm Mountain Center
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Give your talents
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The Dakotas Conference Nominations Committee is asking for clergy and laity to provide information and become part of a Conference wide database for use in matching gifts and passions to Conference ministries when nominating members for committees, links, and special short term groups. Please complete the simple online survey. The information you provide through the survey will go into a database that will be utilized in the nominations process for various committees and tasks forces. Placing your information in the database doesn't guarantee you will be asked to serve, however, if you don't respond to the survey it is almost guaranteed you will NOT be nominated.
We appreciate your willingness to take part in the ministry of this conference and know that your information will be secure and used only for the purpose of the Nominations Committee. We are praying that your willingness to serve goes hand in hand with patience with our sometimes-laborious process. Blessings to all who take the time to complete the survey.
Click here to take the online survey.
Here are some tips when completing the survey:
Make sure you fill in every line of the survey, do not leave any blanks. If you do not have a response simply type "none" in the blank.
If you cannot get into the survey and need some assistance contact Dianne Axlund at bishopadmin@dakotasumc.org or 605-996-6552.
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Cyber Safety-Theme of The Crossing March 9-11
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 | | Facemoods' Online Safety Kit - Little Red Riding Mood |
In the age of facebook, social networking and surfing the net, what does it mean to be a Christian online? How can we be safe online? As Christians, how can we represent God in all mediums? These questions and more will be addressed by our speaker, Paul O'Briant, a Cyber safety expert and coauthor of "Cyber Safety for Families," at this year's Dakotas middle school youth event.
Bring your 6-8th graders to Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD, March 9-11 for The Crossing. We will talk about Cyber safety, worship, participate in small groups, enjoy fun and fellowship. The Broken Resolve, local Christian Rock Band, will perform a concert as well as lead us in worship. Comedian Darren Streblow will also be performing.
Cost is $70 per youth and $50 per adult
Registration Deadline to receive event T-shirt is February 24th
Registration forms and details available at www.dakyouth.com
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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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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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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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