THIS WEEK!

Tonight! Safer People, Stronger Church: Practicing Trauma-Informed Leadership @ 6:30 p.m. CT/5:30 p.m. MT
    As faith communities, we are called to nurture healing and hope. Many of us are still learning how trauma affects people, congregational culture, and the systems that support ministry. This webinar offers laity and clergy descriptive language, ideas, and options so each congregation can discern its own path toward being more trauma-informed. Click here for more information and to register.

Stewardship and Generosity webinar | Thurs. Dec. 11 @ 6:30 p.m. CT
    Join us for the final part in the four part series: "Let's Talk Money". From electronic giving to endowments and legacy gifts, discover creative and practical tools to inspire generosity and build sustainable support. & Discover why stewardship and generosity are more than financial practices—they are spiritual practices. Through reflection and conversation, uncover your church’s why, clarify mission and vision, and take first steps toward a strategic plan. Participating churches may also be eligible for grants.

LUKE-ACTS 2025 - Reflections & Resources

Luke-Acts Reading 
     In Acts 22, Paul tells of a Christian named Ananias who conveyed God’s call to him. Acts 9:10-18 also told the story, but more from Ananias’ point of view, showing the courage and faith it took forhim to go to a man who had come to town to imprison and maybe kill him. Has God evercalled you to do something good that nevertheless scared you and called for some courage?If God called you to an “Ananias” mission today, how do you believe you’d respond? Additional resource: The Acts Challenge

RESOURCES

Compass Podcast: Contemplation as resistance
    Host Ryan Dunn guides us through a timely and deeply practical exploration of how contemplative spiritual practices can become acts of resistance against the overwhelm and exhaustion so many of us face today. In this episode, we dive into the ways our attention is commodified—by social media, politics, and nonstop demands—and how practices like gratitude lists, breath prayer, and everyday pilgrimage can help us reclaim our sense of meaning, hope, and connection.
    Compass Podcast: Finding the spirituality in the day-to-day is a resources from United Methodist Communictions

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)

Dakotas UMC Alternative Christmas Market 
    The long lines, the busy traffic, the waiting for your online order to arrive or the hassle of having to return it—sometimes the rush of Christmas can make us forget the heart of the season: Love made real through the gift of God incarnate. Many of us know someone who has everything they need, someone who says, “Please, don’t buy me more stuff.” What if this Christmas, your gift didn’t fill a shelf—but filled a heart, answered a prayer, or left a lasting legacy? The Dakotas Conference invites you to celebrate through the Dakotas Alternative Christmas Market—a way to give the love of Christmas in tangible ways. Instead of another sweater or gadget, honor someone you love with a gift that changes lives through one of our Dakotas camps or mission ministries. Learn more about how to give here. 

Register now for 2025 Bishop’s Advent Study
    Plan now to participate in the 2025 Advent Study led by Bishop Lanette. In this study, United Methodists across the Dakotas and Minnesota are invited to read "A Child is Born" by Amy-Jill Levine. Check out Cokesbury to learn more about the study and purchase books. You must register in order to receive the Zoom link to each gathering. Order your books or e-books now.
     The Zoom study will be held Monday evenings, Dec. 1-22. The schedule is:
    - Dec. 1, 2025, 7-8:15 p.m. CT / 6-7:15pm MT—Chapter 1: The Conception and Birth of Isaac and Ishmael
    - Dec. 8, 2025, 7-8:15 p.m. CT / 6-7:15pm MT—Chapter 2: The Conception and Birth of Samson
    - Dec. 15, 2025, 7-8:15 p.m. CT / 6-7:15pm MT—Chapter 3: The Conception and Birth of Samuel
    - Dec. 22, 2025, 7-8:15 p.m CT / 6-7:15pm MT—Chapter 4: Jesus: Heir to Traditions
      The Zoom link will be provided to those who have registered as the first discussion draws near. Attending the sessions live will provide the most meaningful experience, but each one will be recorded and sent to all registrants within a couple days of each gathering.

Coming Soon to Amplify Dakotas: Great is Thy Faithfulness sermon series
    Looking for a great series to start the year? Need an occasional sermon to "fill the pulpit" or a small group resouce grounded in the scriptural imperatives of the Dakotas Conference? Check out Amplify Dakotas this January!
    We are creating a series of sermons based on the four “Greats” - The Great Commandment, The Great Commission, The Great Requirement, and The Great Proclamation. We will be providing sermons from Revs. Teresa Person, Bob Ruedebusch, Julie Gregg, and Kermit Culver as well as additional resources for worship and discipleship. These resources will be available on our Amplify platform as well as through our website by mid December to be used for a January series…or any time of year! If you haven’t signed up for a free Amplify account, you can’t do so 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.
    Administrative Assistant | Dakotas & Minnesota United Methodist Foundations
    Administrative Assistant | Dell Rapids UMC, Dell Rapids, SD
    Part-time Campus Ministry Director | First UMC, Brookings, SD
    Part-time Coordinator of Children’s Ministries | First UMC, Yankton, SD