THIS WEEK!

Website Reorganization
    We are reorganizing and updating pages on our website to better reflect our mission and serve our churches and leaders. While we are moving things around, we will update commonly used links on this page. Please feel free to email or call Conference Staff directly if you have any questions.

DakYouth | Oct. 10-12
    DAKYOUTH is an annual youth event like no other and is for both middle school and high school youth in the Dakotas Conference. Youth gather from all around the conference to learn about leadership, discipleship, and service. This year’s theme, “Living For God,” is centered on Job 23:11, challenging and inspiring youth to walk faithfully in their everyday lives. Rev. Rachel Billups will bring powerful messages as the main speaker, and VOTA will lead an unforgettable time of worship. Register today and reserve your hotel rooms before they’re gone!

United by Hope | Sunday, Aug. 24
    Attention Sioux Falls area United Methodists! The six United Methodist Churches in Sioux Falls are uniting for worship and impact on Sunday, August 24 at 10 a.m. They will hold a joint worship service at the ALLIANCE (1600 W. Russell St., Sioux Falls) followed by lunch, fellowship and fun. ALL ARE WELCOME! Additionally, the offering collected that day will go to Hungry Hearts, a non-profit in Sioux Falls that works to ensure all children in the SF school district have hot lunch, school supplies, and other necessities. If you can’t attend worship that day but are interested in supporting this mission, you can donate here. 

UWF Native American Awareness Workshop | Aug. 16
    Spearfish United Methodist Church is hosting a Native American Cultural Workshop on Saturday, August 16. All are welcome to join this free event for learning, conversation, and community. Lily Mendoza, elder, matriarch and citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, will be sharing the beliefs and practices of the Lakota. A continental breakfast will be provided at 8:30 a.m. with programming to begin shortly after at 9:00 a.m.

Walk to Emmaus | Sept. 4-7, 18-21
    Dakotas Walk to Emmaus is holding a Men’s Walk and a Women’s Walk this September.  Men’s Walk is September 4th through 7th, and Women’s Walk is 18th through the 21st  at the Lake Poinsett Camp and Living Waters Retreat Center.  The walks are a spiritual retreat that helps equip and feed laity and clergy alike to live into the calling to walk with Jesus in our daily lives and do the work that he has commanded us to do.  If you want to attend or have someone you would like to sponsor, please fill out the forms linked. If you have questions, reach out to dakotaswte@gmail.com

Clergywomen's cohort | Begining Sept. 11
    RESTORE, a coaching cohort just for clergywomen, is offered by Rev. Stephanie Dunn, a United Methodist clergywoman and certified coach. The coaching cohort begins September 11 and includes 5 group sessions, 2 individual sessions, and 3 workshops – all virtual. A $300 scholarship to offset the $495 cost will be offered to the first five clergywomen from the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences who register. Simply send your proof of registration to Diane Owen, Area Director of Clergy Well-being. Learn more here.

LUKE-ACTS 2025 - Reflections & Resources

Luke-Acts Reading 
     Chapter 8 includes an interesting story of Simon the Sorcerer. He is drawn to the Jesus movement and is even baptized. But as the story continues, we see that he is drawn to the "fame" and "power" that seems to come with being a leader of the movement and he is rebuked by Peter. How can leaders of the church keep from falling into the "affirmation" trap - being drawn to church leadership because of the accolades we receive? Additional resources: The Bible Project summary of Acts 8-12

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)

Educational debt relief | Applications due Sept. 1
    Calling all clergy! Still paying off undergrad or seminary debt? Apply for the 2025 Investing in Leaders Resource Grant. Applications due by Sept. 1 for this grant of up to $5,000 to pay down educational debt. Renewal applications are also available for those who have already received this grant.

Clergy Wellness Allowance
    As we head into fall routines, don’t forget to include healthy practices! We are excited to offer eligible clergy - clergy appointed (or CLM assigned) as a pastor to a local church or extension ministry actively serving in the Dakotas or Minnesota Conferences - the 2025 Clergy Wellness Allowance. The wellness allowance is for a specific resource or experience that supports physical well-being. Apply here now!

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Jobs Available
    We're hiring! The following positions are open across the Dakotas Conference. Find out more information on our Conference website.
    Administrative Assistant & Event Planner | Dakotas & Minnesota United Methodist Foundations
    Summer Staff | Dakotas UM Camp
    Part-time Campus Ministry Director | First UMC, Brookings, SD
    Part-time Coordinator of Children’s Ministries | First UMC, Yankton, SD
    Alumni Engagement Associate | Dakaota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD