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“It (the Mission Fair) ties our small district churches together in one common mission of raising funds and donations for disaster victims and feeding the hungry of the Dakotas... together we make a difference,” said Maxine Blasdell, a member of Southeast Pierre Mission UMC. The Mission Fair at Southeast Pierre Mission UMC raised $2,907.50 for hunger and collected 1,232 UMCOR kits.

“At end the day, it is what you make of it. Whatever you put in you will get out. It is about your effort.” That is how Cody Warns, 2017 Elisha intern, summarizes his experience. "I feel like I got a chance to do a variety of things.”

UMConnect stands for United Methodist Connection video system. The system allows people to interact via video and audio in real time. Dakotas and Minnesota Conference leadership, agencies and churches utilize UMConnect for meetings, training and business. Over the past 24 months, connections and sites that host a UMConnect meetings have expanded to include the ability to join a meeting from a desktop computer, laptop, mobile device or a room system.

Southeast Pierre's Love lunches was featured in the fall issue of the Interpreter magazine. Weekdays during school and Christmas breaks, Gerry Cass loads her car and delivers "love lunches" to children living in neighboring homes.

Here's what you can expect to find around the Dakotas Conference this fall. The list is long, but that's a good thing! Whether it's the upcoming online auction for hunger and more, fall mission events or the fall leadership event, there's something around the conference for everyone.

Mondays@ Dakotas: Mission Fair raises money for hunger, Elisha intern experience unexpected, UMConnect update, Love Lunches on the go, and more...

Vivian J. Greenough, 83, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2017 while residing at Bethany Home, Brandon, South Dakota. Vivian is the wife of Reverend Donald Greenough, retired.

"Our job as a pastor is to build relationships and give people a chance to try things out. Empower them, create a space for God to work on the passions," said Pastor Charlie Moore of Sioux Falls Sunnycrest UMC. In this episode, Jeff Pospisil, Executive Director of Finance and Administration, interviews Moore on the keys to raising up leaders within the church.

“I hope everyone will remember me as the guy in the shorts who made not just one person, but everyone feel special when they came to camp at Storm Mountain Center,” said Scott Jensen, who is retiring as the director after 17 years of service. More than 125 people gathered to honor Jensen’s legacy on September 10.

Brenda Stover, member of Redfield UMC and first time lay delegate to annual conference, saw a video about Beresford Zion UMC, a church in action with children’s ministries.  Stover is a teacher and administrator in the local school system and has been aware of need for after school care in town.