NEW THIS WEEK

Discipleship Systems Workshop: Tuesdays, November 10, 17, and 24 from 12:30-1:30 central/11:30-12:30 mountain
    Join Bryan Tener, Discipleship Ministries, and Bri Heida, DK Connector for Renewal, for this three-part workshop series all about intentional discipleship systems. 
Week 1: Remembering Who We Are
Week 2: Recognizing How We Grow
Week 3: Cultivating Communities of Discipleship
    Between each week, we’ll continue the discussion with thought-provoking questions that will invite us to learn from each other and dig deeper together. We’ll end the series with an Advent challenge you can launch in your church or context to put what we learned into action right away! REGISTER HERE!

Advent Study worship resources now available 
    United Methodists across the Dakotas and Minnesota are invited to participate in the 2026 Bishop's Advent Study! This year's Zoom gatherings will center around a unique study, "When Hope is Born: An Advent Study in the Theology of Midwifery" by Bishop Lanette Plambeck. All are welcome to join this wonderful time of connection and conversation as we prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas. Mark your calendar and encourage others to join you. Register here. 
When: Monday, 7-8:15 p.m. CT, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, & Dec. 2
Discussions will be held online via Zoom. A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants before the event.
Advent Worship Resources & Sermon Series
    The student chaplains at Dakota Wesleyan University and Dakotas-Minnesota Area staff have prepared accompanying worship resources for the Advent Study for those who choose to integrate this theme into their Advent worship series. Worship resources include a Study Overview, Weekly Theme Summaries, Directions for Using Resources, an dLiturgical Resources for each week (Call to Worship, Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy, Opening Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, Offertory Prayer, Prayer of Dedication, Children’s Message, Hymn & Song Suggestions, and Benediction.)
Accompanying media resources include Social media images churches can edit to fit their church’s messaging, Bulletin covers, and Worship projection slide deck. View and download resources here.

THIS WEEK

Bishop's Book Club "Dog-Eared Disciples" THIS Saturday, November 7 
    Join Bishop Lanette and United Methodists from across the DK-MN Area for this month’s “Dog-Eared Disciples” this Saturday morning, November 7, 2026, 9-10:30 a.m. Central Time (8-9:30 a.m. MT). November's book is "Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God" by Kaitlin B. Curtice. Register today for this book study initiative from Bishop Lanette Plambeck that will take place online Fall 2026-Spring 2027. 
    The Dakotas-Minnesota Area is grateful for the partnership of Cokesbury, which is supporting Bishop Lanette's book study discipleship efforts with discounted book prices and free shipping. Participants can receive 25–30% off book study titles* when ordering through Cokesbury.com. Free shipping* is also available with the coupon code DOGEAREDBOOKS. The free-shipping code applies only to Dog-Eared Disciples book study titles and cannot be used when other resources are included in the same order. *Terms are subject to change.

RESOURCES

Housing Allowance Mistakes That Cost Pastors Thousands - November 12 - noon CT, 11 am MT 
     Could Your Housing Allowance Be Too… High? Most pastors treat the housing allowance like a dial with one setting: as high as it'll go. It's the intuitive move. It's also, for a lot of families, the wrong one. This webinar is about finding the right number.
     In this free session, you'll learn:

• Why the designation has to be on the books first – and how to get it on your board's December agenda without it feeling awkward
• The "lowest of" rule: how the amount you can exclude is capped by your actual housing costs and your home's fair rental value, and why most folks only check one of those numbers
• How to set a number that's generous enough to use and realistic enough to defend
• The April surprise: why your housing allowance is free of income tax but not self-employment tax, and what to do about it now
• For treasurers: how the housing allowance should – and shouldn't – show up on the W-2

You'll leave with: a sample designation resolution your board can adapt, plus a worksheet for estimating your housing costs and fair rental value.  

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)

Shoebox Christmas is here! 
    Please have your gifts dropped off to collection sites by Nov. 12. If you are mailing your gifts, please mail them before Nov. 1 to ensure they arrive. Collection sites include: Grand Forks Zion, Minot Vincent, Fargo First, Jamestown First, Watertown First, Sioux Falls Sunnycrest, and Mitchell Conference office. Learn more. 

NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!
    We will be launching our new Conference website in the coming weeks. With this change, we will also have a new emailer. If you notice, in the coming weeks, that you are no longer receiving Conference emails, please contact the Conference office!

Save the Date! American Methodist Pilgrimage
    Join clergy from the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area for the American Methodist Pilgrimage, June 28–July 2, 2027! Explore Methodist history and heritage with stops in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and more. The anticipated cost is $1,600–$2,000, plus travel and some meals. Space is limited to 23 clergy, and scholarships may be available. Registration opens by March 15. Watch for more details in the new year!

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.
    Coordinator of Youth Ministries | Yankton First UMC, Yankton, SD
    Music Coordinator | Flame of Faith UMC, West Fargo, ND