THIS WEEK!

REGISTER ASAP! Using A.I. in Ministry webinar | Mondays Nov. 10 & 17
    In today’s rapidly evolving world, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and everyday life — and the Church is no exception. But what role should AI play within our faith communities? This training offers a balanced, thoughtful approach to understanding and implementing AI in ministry including Best and Worst Practices, Biblical Foundations, Ethical Considerations, and Tools for Ministry.
     The webinar will be offered in two parts: Part 1 on Monday, Nov. 10 and Part 2 on Monday, Nov. 17, both at 11:30am - 2pm CT/ 10:30am-1pm MT. The sessions will be recorded and available to registrants for 90 days. Registration fee is $30. For more information and to register, check out our website.

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. 

 LUKE-ACTS 2025 - Reflections & Resources

Luke-Acts Reading 
     These verses also give us a “peek behind the curtain” at how the writing of the Bible happened. In verse 35, Paul quoted Jesus—yet the words he quoted do not appear in any of the four gospels. Like writers today, each gospel writer had to select what he included from a wealth of available material. How can more realistically understanding the human aspects of the Bible ultimately help you hear God speaking to you through the Bible more clearly? Additional Resource:  Acts 20 Reflections and Questions

RESOURCES

Pastoral leadership in a time of Christian nationalism 
    In a time when Christian nationalism is gaining both cultural and political traction, the work of pastoral leadership requires renewed theological reflection, moral clarity, and prophetic courage. Candler School of Theology hosted a series of four public lectures this fall to start conversations and offer resources to equip pastors and church leaders to respond faithfully to the challenges posed by this growing movement. Videos of the lectures are now available here.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)

Safer People, Stronger Church: Practicing Trauma-Informed Leadership | Nov. 18 @ 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.

Shoebox Christmas - Dates and Locations
    Spirit Lake Ministry, Tree of Life Ministry, and some individual churches are preparing to reach over 6,000 children with Christmas shoeboxes. This is an opportunity for you to reflect the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christ into our communities by ensuring that no child feels forgotten on Christmas morning.
     Each year, people like you pack shoebox gifts according to these guidelines and bring them to a collection site. Then, volunteers collect your shoebox gifts from these sites around our Dakotas Conference and get them ready to distribute. Your shoeboxes need to be at the nearest collection site by November 16 to arrive in time for distribution at the many schools across the Dakotas. Your gifts make a huge difference!

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.

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