This Week @ Dakotas | February 17, 2026
THIS WEEK!
Spiritual First Aid Course (Zoom) | Tuesday Evenings: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. CT | Feb 24 - May 5, 2026 
Feel overwhelmed by all the trauma in our world? Called to make a difference but you’re not sure how? Join Love First UMC in Sartell, MN, for a 6-session Spiritual First Aid (SFA) Certification Course. SFA was designed to equip you with the tools you’ll need to confidently provide peer-to-peer spiritual and emotional care for people in distress. Learn more at spiritualfirstaid.org. This course is a continuation of our emphasis on the work of trauma-informed leadership training. Register to attend by Zoom here.
UMC Global Candlelight Prayer Vigil for Ukraine | February 24, 9 a.m CT / 8 a.m. MT
On Tuesday, February 24, the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, you are invited to join a one-hour global candlelight prayer vigil in solidarity with Ukraine. United Methodists and Christian leaders from around the world will gather via Zoom at 5:00 PM Kyiv Time (9:00 AM Central | 8:00 AM Mountain | 7:00 AM Pacific) for a time of prayer, remembrance, and hope. Participants are encouraged to have a candle ready to light together as a shared act of unity. The vigil is sponsored by In Mission Together Ukraine and is open to all. Feel free to share the invitation and Zoom link with others who may wish to participate.
Online Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee Training | March 10, 6:30-8:00 p.m. CT / 5:30-7:00 p.m. MT
Staff-Parish Relations Committees (SPRC) are encouraged to attend the virtual training hosted and led by Rev. Dan Bader, Dakotas Conference Superintendent, Rev. Becky Jo Messenbrink, Minnesota Conference Superintendent, And Diane Owen, Area Director of Clergy Well-being. If you have new members of the SPRC, have recently received a new pastor, or haven’t been through a training in a while, you are recommended to participate. Register here.
DWU Spring Eccumenical Youth Rally | April 29
Dakota Wesleyan University is hosting a spring Ecumenical Youth Rally open to middle schoolers, high schoolers, youth leaders and parents. Join us for a night of worship with DWU’s Campus Ministry worship team, fellowship & fun with our students, and a deep exploration of our calling to belong together in Jesus, led by speaker Michael LeBlanc, a UMC pastor from the Florida Conference. Doors open at 6 p.m. with pizza and snacks and a time of connection before we kick-off worship at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome, cause it’s better when you’re here! Learn more about Rev. Michael here. Register for free here!
CONNECTOR'S CORNER
Celebrating 70 Years of Women’s Ordination in the Methodist Tradition | March 3
Marking the 70th anniversary of women’s ordination in the Methodist Church, this three-part lecture series explores the past, present, and future of women’s leadership in Methodist ministry. From the early pioneers who preached without permission to the complex realities faced by clergywomen today, the series traces how the Holy Spirit has moved—and continues to move—through the lives and leadership of women called to serve. Through historical analysis, theological reflection, and constructive visioning, these lectures invite the church and academy alike to consider how women’s ordination has shaped Methodist identity, and how it will continue to form the church’s witness in the decades ahead. The Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, general secretary for The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women of The United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Dr. Emily Nelms Chastain, assistant professor of Christian history and Methodist studies at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, will present the 2026 Albright-Deering Lectures. Register here.
- Lecture 1: She Preached Anyway: How Methodist Women Turned Print and Polity into Power (1919-1956)
- Lecture 2: Still Called, Still Climbing: Clergywomen Today
- Lecture 3: The Next Itineration: Envisioning Women’s Leadership Together
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It
2026 Lenten study resources available now!
The Dakotas Cabinet, in partnership with other clergy in the conference, has created a six-week Lenten study based on the healing stories of Jesus – “To Be Made Well”. In a time in our world where hurt, fear, and trauma are a part of our daily lives, these stories are meant to draw us back to the Great Physician, the source of healing, Jesus Christ. Resources include videos, small group study materials, worship resources, and graphics, and can be accessed through Amplify Dakotas or the Conference website.
GBHEM Scholarship portal | Applications close March 6
GBHEM Scholarships offers financial aid to United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every year, an average of $4 million is awarded to help students in the United States and abroad pursue their dreams through higher education. With this financial aid, GBHEM is opening pathways for students of all backgrounds to earn their degrees and serve as the next generation of leaders for the church and the world. Learn more and apply.
Webinars for UMC Leadership Gathering | Feb. 21, March 21.jpg)
The UMC Council of Bishops is hosting a Leadership Gathering in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from October 20-24, 2026 in place of a Special Session of General Conference. This gathering will bring together bishops, church leaders, clergy, laypersons, and key representatives from across the connectional church to discern, dream, and co‑create the future direction of The United Methodist Church. Additionally, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church invites the whole denomination to take part in a global webinar series leading up to the 2026 Leadership Gathering, “Emboldened by the Spirit: Imagining a Church Yet to Be.” These interactive webinars (January–March 2026) will explore core Wesleyan themes while gathering voices from across the worldwide connection. All United Methodists are encouraged to participate and help shape the future of the Church. Learn more and register here.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads
Jobs Available
We're hiring! The following positions are open across the Dakotas Conference.
Find more information on our Conference website.
Part-time Campus Ministry Director | First UMC, Brookings, SD
Open Camping Positions | All locations
