THIS WEEK

Spirit Lake seeks director
    Spirit Lake Ministry Center is seeking a director. The Spirit Lake Ministry Center is dedicated to supporting the people of the Spirit Lake Nation and is an approved United Methodist Volunteer in Mission destination. View a full job description and details on how to apply.

Scripture Circles for Clergy | September start
    Scripture Circles for Clergy will take place Mondays, Sept. 11-Nov. 20; Tuesdays, Sept. 12-Nov. 21; or Wednesdays, Sept. 13-Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m.-noon CT, online. Clergy, take time to discuss and savor scripture's original language and context in these small group experiences through a combination of spiritual direction and deep bible study. Register now to reserve your spot. Plenty of space is available on Wednesdays with seven places. There is room for three on Mondays and only two slots on Tuesdays. Get the details and register. 

COMING UP

National Day of Volunteer Training | September 23, 2023
    Fargo First UMC is once again hosting National Day of Volunteer Training through Download Youth Ministry. The date for this year's training is September 23, beginning at 9 a.m. Bring your team to this training. The cost is $199.00 for everyone on your team. The training will be finished by noon. Fargo First UMC will be providing lunch for all attendees after the training.Please mark your calendars, register, and join us. 

Leadership Institute | September 27-29
    Leadership Institute, Resurrection UMC's  annual leadership conference for church leaders, is Sept. 27-29, featuring many great speakers, including Rev. Adam Hamilton and Carey Nieuwhof. Check out all the details and register. 

Fresh Expressions Imagine Day | September 30
    What is God already doing in people’s lives and how do we join in? That question is the premise of the Fresh Expressions movement. Rev. Dr. Michael Beck wants to help you explore it and take tangible steps to reach new people in your community. Your first step? Register for Imagine Day on Sept. 30, and bring a team!

Relax, Refresh, Renew | Women's Retreat Oct. 20-22
    Come to Storm Mountain Center for a weekend apart and a time to relax, refresh and renew your mind and body. During the weekend you’ll find both group time to build Christian community and time apart in the beauty of creation for sabbath and renewal. Register and get the details.

Worship planning retreat | Oct. 22-25
    Clergy are invited to join Pastors Annie Carlson and Jordan Minnich Kjesbo, Sunday evening, October 22, to Wednesday noon, October 25, at Wesley Acres Camp and Retreat Center for a retreat of renewal, collaboration, and worship planning. Get the details and register.

Shoebox Christmas 2023 | November 10 dropoff deadline
    Start collecting your Shoebox Christmas gifts. Spirit Lake Ministry Center coordinates Shoebox Christmas gifts to over 6,000 children across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota reservations. Learn more about Shoebox Christmas gifts and the dropoff locations. 

RESOURCES

United Methodists begin Idalia recovery | Read more and donate
    A day after Hurricane Idalia rampaged across the U.S. Southeast, United Methodists in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina were assessing the damage and responding to immediate needs. The United Methodist Committee on Relief also was coordinating with United Methodists across multiple states to provide early response. Heather Hahn reports.

Tips for helping church guests feel welcome
    Displaced United Methodists are gaining insight into how it feels to be accepted and safe as they seek to find new church homes after their congregations voted to disaffiliate from the denomination. What they’re learning may offer guidance to others seeking to offer radical hospitality within the church. Crystal Caviness reports.

GRANTS    

Financial Ministry Grant |  Growing generous givers
    If you want to learn more about growing generous givers, starting a study such as Saving Grace, or providing a growth opportunity for key leaders, consider applying for a Financial Ministry Grant of up to $500 to fund your effort. Whatever your method for improving your church's financial health and embedding the value of generosity into your church culture, some financial support can jumpstart your efforts!  Apply for the Financial Ministry Grant using a simple application found here.
    
Discipleship Ministries | Ethnic Ministries Grant
    Discipleship Ministries is offering grants of up to $10,000 to support racial ethnic local churches. Deadline for applying is September 30, 2023. 

Renewable Energy Grants for UWFaith Groups
    United Women in Faith groups can apply for grants to help local organizing campaigns advance just energy for all. Funding is available for work at the circle, unit, district, conference, and jurisdiction level. Collaborative projects with other organizations or groups are encouraged. Awards range from $100 to $3,000. First-round applications are reviewed on July 24; the second deadline is based on available funding. More information here. 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS | View all Ads

Jobs Available
    We're hiring! Take a look at the job announcements across the Dakotas Conference. Get the details on jobs available at these Conference churches and organizations.

Camp Director | Lake Poinsett
    The Camp and Retreat Ministries of Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is seeking an experienced professional to lead and manage Lake Poinsett Camp. To apply for this full-time, salaried position, send a letter of interest along with a resume and salary requirements to: Keith Shew, Dakotas-Minnesota Area Executive Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries, 122 W Franklin Ave, Suite #400, Minneapolis, MN 55404, or keith.shew@dkmnareaumc.org. Ph. 612.230.6130. Applications accepted through 9/26/2023. View a full job description and other details.

Discipleship Ministries Coordinator | Evergreen UMC
    Evergreen UMC in Wahpeton, N.D., is hiring a Discipleship Ministries Coordinator. Evergreen UMC is looking for a high energy, enthusiastic individual who loves engaging with children, youth and young adults and also is super crazy about Jesus!! Please contact Pastor Kori Lehrkamp or the church office for more information.

Conference Position | Benefits and Human Resources Officer
    The Dakotas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is seeking a full-time Conference Benefits and Human Resources Officer to administer the conference clergy and lay staff benefits program, lead and direct conference human resource functions, and coordinate with the conference treasurer financial reporting for Wespath and the Board of Pensions. The full job description can be found here. To apply, email your resume and references to Leana Stunes at leana.stunes@dakotasumc.org.

Ministry / Office Assistant | Brandon Celebration UMC
    Celebration UMC in Brandon, SD, is now hiring for the Ministry/ Office Assistant position. We seek a Christian, competent, energetic, motivated, and personable ministry assistant to join our dynamic team. This person will work directly with the pastoral team to provide personalized administrative and ministry support in a well-organized and timely manner. Duties include coordinating church communications, assisting with special projects, updating online and social media content, managing facility rentals, and assisting pastors with tasks essential to the church's ministry. If you are interested in this position, please get in touch with Addy Kenkel at pastoraddy@alliancecom.net.

Worship Arts Director  | Legacy UMC
     Legacy is looking for a full-time Worship Arts Director with a visible and contagious love for Jesus lived out in passionate worship. This person should be a good communicator with a creative spirit, possessing the musical ability to lead vocally and instrumentally and the leadership to develop the gifts and talents of a diverse team. See the full job description here.