Mondays @ Dakotas December 10, 2012

The Dakotas Conference Office will be closed December 24 and 25, 2012 for the Christmas holiday. There will normal (8 am - 5 pm CST) office hours (8 am - 5 pm CST) Monday through Friday, December 26-31, 2012.

January

Dakotas Conference Office Closed

The office will be closed January 1, 2013 for the New Year holiday. Normal office hours will resume on January 2, 2013.

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Messer names Dole, Daschle to church-related AIDS board

CENTENNIAL, Colorado -- Former United States Senate Majority Leaders, Bob Dole (R-KS) and Tom Daschle (D-SD), have been named co-chairs of the International Advisory Board of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS.

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Hurricane Sandy victims know the church cares

So many facets of Hurricane Sandy response are still unfolding that a snapshot portrayal is difficult to capture. In countless, priceless ways, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is sending hurricane survivors the message that the church will continue to offer relief, even while planning for a long-term recovery that will take not months but years.

January 10 deadine for Peace with Justice grant

Jan. 10 is the deadline to apply for a Peace with Justice grant from the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS).gift donation to the Society of St. Andrew provides about 600 servings of fresh food to hungry families in the United States.

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Rev. Rod Gist reads the nativity story at the Streets of Bethlehem held at Sioux Falls First United Methodist Church, December 8, 2012.

LOOSENED TONGUES
An Advent Message from Bishop Bruce R. Ough

I greet you in the name and spirit of Emmanuel - God with us.

We have entered the Advent season. This is a season of waiting, watching and preparing for the "God with us" mystery - the incarnation mystery. This is the season of anticipating the gift of the Christ child. Advent is also a time of joyous proclamation; a time of Magnificat; a time of prophecy; a time of singing praises; a time of inversions and reversals. Advent is a time of broken silence. It is a time of loosened tongues and open mouths.

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FARGO FAITH FEEDS THE HOMELESS

Submitted photo.

FARGO, North Dakota -- Fargo Faith United Methodist Church started a Food Distribution Ministry on Fridays to meet the growing need of low income and homeless people in Fargo. Each Friday about a dozen volunteers arrive to unload the food that is received from the Great Plain Food Bank.

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ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS DEMOLISHED

Marvin Schnabel of Napoleon removing debris of former Zion United Methodist Church in Wishek next to the former parsonage.

WISHEK, North Dakota -- The building for the former Zion United Methodist Church came down the weekend of December. It was built in 1918 and stood on the corner of 3rd Ave South and Centennial St. South for 94 years. The original structure was added to in 1950 and 1968. The congregation last worshiped there in August of 2011. The contents of the building were given to other churches and individuals. The United Methodist Church in Mobridge, SD, received the altar and pulpits in September 2011.

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IN OUR HEARTS

Sympathy is extended to the family of Myrtle Kjonass, 88, who pass away November 29,2012 at Minot, North Dakota. Myrtle is the mother of Dakotas Conference clergy Rev. Donna Kjonaas, retired. A Memorial Service was held on December 3, 2012 in Minot.

View the full obituary here

NORTH HIGHLAND UMC BRINGS COATS TO KIDS

ABERDEEN, South Dakota -- North Highland United Methodist Church of Aberdeen, SD has, for the past five years, organized Coats for Kids Campaign. This year's campaign proved bigger than ever. The beginning of Coats for Kids started with a float in Northern State University's Gypsy Days Parade. The theme for the parade is used to highlight the need for coats. The theme of the parade this year was "Gypsies on Safari". The youth of the church helped decorate the float. Magnets with the Coats for Kids information were given to adult spectators along the parade route.

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SONGBOOKS NEEDED

Kris Larson at Iroquois/Esmond/Doland UMC is looking to acquire some additional song books. Please contact if you have extra.

krislarson1@msn.com

605-546-2424

JOIN HANDS FOR HAITI

Article and photo submitted by Dona Fisher, Haiti Solar Oven Project.

If you're a Dakotas Conference pastor, you will have heard from one of a dozen Haiti Solar Oven Partners (HSOP) in the next week or two. All of the callers are persons whose lives have been deeply touched by the faith and resilience of the Haitians they've met.

With coaching and promotional tools offered, your congregation is invited to take an Advent offering by highlighting Alternative Christmas Gifts to family, friends and colleagues.

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DAKOTAS UM FOUNDATION

The 4th Quarter Bulletin Insert is now available on the Foundation website (www.DakotasUMF.org), click on the Newsletters & Inserts tab. Have an alternative Christmas this year!

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!

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.

DAKOTAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

of the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

P.O. Box 460 | 1331 University Ave. | Mitchel, S.D. 57301-0460

Phone: 605-996-6552

Fax: 605-996-1766

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