Happy Advent! As you serve as a leader in your church, whether clergy or lay, the past three and a half months most likely have been active and even exhausting, as programs and activities, worship and administration, and all the rest that is part of a church life has required a great deal of energy and enthusiasm, and time. On top of that, your ministry since September 11 most likely has changed and grown in far different directions than any of us could have imagined.

Now, the Advent and Christmas seasons are upon us, and just when you believe you have about run the course of parish leadership, high expectations are placed on you to offer meaningful and engaging worship, to deal with so many persons' anxiety and grief at this time of the year, to finish the financial year where you should be, to visit everyone who is homebound, and to remember to buy your presents and cards before the Christmas eve service.

"Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright?" It is very easy, with all that we have to "do," to get as caught up in the church's trappings of the season, so much that we make it a footrace, or even a marathon, and we end up glad that it is done and over, instead of lost in wonder, love and praise of the One who has come to set us free. Even free from all this.

So, how.... how do we, the busy "congregational elves" of Christmas, manage to create a space for the manger, a space for the star, where there seems only to be clutter and the noise of exalted expectations? The only way, friends, is to receive the very first gift of Christmas, which after creation was the very first gift of God to the world, recorded in Genesis: Sabbath.

Sabbath, the intentional ceasing of activity, and the imposed time of rest -- not catching up on everything else that we let go -- is the only way we can reclaim the spiritual equilibrium we so need. This is not just an Advent/Christmas moment, however -- Sabbath should be the way of life for any spiritual leader. It is in Sabbath that we gain perspective, and realize that we are not in charge of our life and ministry -- God is. In our attempt to overfunction, and make sure everyone is pleased, and that the church has all it needs, we mistakenly place ourselves in the manger. Sabbath releases us from the burden of having to do it all, and opens our hearts to the knowledge God is in charge, that Christ is Lord, and calls us both to work and to rest, to keep vigilant and to sleep, and to live in grace as a faithful, well-rested, and effective spiritual leader.

My hope and prayer for each of you this season -- is peace, and quiet. And pure Holy Love. Stop. Look. Listen.

Emmanuel has come.

Conference Prayer Calendar
Some of you have expressed a desire to have a few more weeks available of the prayer calendar with each newsletter. With this issue, we will begin to print two month's worth of churches desiring your prayer for their ministry in 2002. If you would like to focus your prayer, not only on the church listed, but also on the pastor and lay member, please consult your 2001 Journal for the most accurate information.

December 30-January 5
Joliette
Braddock
Aurora
Underwood
Wasta
Finley

January 6 - 12
Rolla
Crystal
Mandan Rural
Goodrich
Gayville-Volin
Rapid Valley

January 13-19
Kensal
Chaseley
Des Lacs
Sherwood
Tuttle
Viborg

January 20-26
Sterling
Mission
Lansford
Robinson

January 27- February 2
Medina
Tappen
Velva
Center
Grenora

February 3-9
Bantry
Minot State
Arthur
Aberdeen Faith
Aberdeen First

February 10-16
Alexandria
Arlington
Jenkins Living Center
Belle Fourche
Cando

February 17-23
Carrington
NDSU
Aberdeen North Highland
Alpena
Artesian
Burke

February 24-March 2
Bismarck Calvary
Cavalier Trinity
Devils Lake
Ashely
Big Stone
Dakota Wesleyan

INGATHERING GOOD NEWS!
The Conference Finance Office reports that the total for the Ingathering 2001 is running nearly $3000 above last year's total! As of the end of November, the cash gifts and kits donations add up to $81,694.62. One of the reasons for the increase is that the kit totals are up $5,298 over last year. When you think of the average cost of a kit, that represents a tremendous amount of work and effort by many churches in our conference. Congratulations, and God bless you for this ministry of love.

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR NORTH DAKOTA CHURCHES
The 2001 Kids Count book for North Dakota is available and can be borrowed from the Mission Engagement Office. The book provides excellent statistical information related to children in each county of the state, seen through ten indicators of educational, social, economic and physical well-being of children. It is a great resource to use as you develop programs in your church and community relating to at-risk children. If you wish, particular county information can be reproduced and sent to you from the Mission Engagement Office. Simply email Debra Ball-Kilbourne at dbk01@juno.com

ORDER YOUR ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING MATERIAL TODAY!
Yes, we know that Christmas hasn't yet arrived, for crying out loud, and that Lent is many weeks away! We also know how quickly time flies, and how easy it is to forget to order important information for your church! It takes just a moment to order the free material which supports the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, scheduled for March 10 (4th Sunday of Lent). Simply click on the following link http://www.umc.org/benevol/ and go to "Special Sundays." Follow the link to OGHS, and you may order on line, and it will be delivered right to your church's door. You may also call 1-888-UMC-3242, but whichever way, do it today, and remember everywhere the United Methodist Committee on Relief has been this past year -- the arms of Christ, and the extension of our ministry.

OTHER IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION LINKS IN THE DAKOTAS
The Dakotas Connection is our bi-monthly publication for United Methodists in the Dakotas. Our conference subsidizes the subscriptions of the Connection to the elected officers and the active and retired pastors in our conference. We use the updated list of officers that each pastor fills out and turns in at Charge Conference time (you see -- the lists ARE used!). If you know of someone who is not an elected officer of your church who would still like to receive the Connection, the subscription cost is $10/year, and may be sent to Bonnie Carlson, Conference Office PO Box 460 Mitchell SD 57301. Don't miss an action-packed issue!

As well, churches and pastors are now given the option of the method by which they receive the Living Waters interpretive piece for your bulletin or newsletter. If you would like to receive this piece (which tells the story of ministries in the Dakotas) sent to you by email, please email either Bonnie Carlson bcarlson@midco.net or Donna Fisher dfisher@rapidnet.com and they will be happy to oblige. Otherwise, you can expect to receive the Living Waters by regular snail mail.

TWO WORKSHOPS OFFERED BY UNITED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, TWIN CITIES
Two workshops have been announced that focus on leadership and dealing with parishes. They are being offered by United Seminary in New Brighton, MN. For more information on these workshops, you may contact Vi Keller at vkeller@unitedseminary-mn.org

1. "Survival Skills: Dealing with Difficult People in the Parish." Tuesday, January 22, 2002 from 9am -4pm. Led by Mark Sundby, Executive Director of North Central Career Development. The workshop will focus on dealing with individuals who challenge our personal and professional skills to the fullest. Identify, analyze, and manage difficult personalities and behavior. Cost is $60.
   
2. "Leadership from the Center -- Lead byWho You Are." Tuesday, February 26, 2002 from 9am-4pm. Led by Mark Sundby. The workshop question is "What makes an effective leader?" Effective leadership, developing strengths, and determining where you will have the most impact as a leader. Cost is $60.

DAKOTAS LAY SPEAKING MINISTRY COURSES OFFERED
Four exciting lay speaking ministry courses will be offered in the Conference over the next few months. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to be part of this important and faith-developing program, or if you would like to further grow in your effectiveness as a leader in your congregation or district, make plans now to attend one or more of these to be held in your area. Also, stay tuned for more courses as they become available!

January 11/12 - Basic Lay Ministries Course - Redfield - Rev. Ed Coates, leader
January 18/19 - Advanced Course -- Prayer - Redfield - Rev. Gene Kroger, leader
January 26/27 - Advanced Course -- Sermon and Worship - Watertown 9th Ave. - Revs. Roger Spahr and Dave Bambas
April 19/20 - Basic Course - Minot Vincent - Mildred Kissee and Michelle Brennan
April 19/20 - Advanced Courses -- Evangelism/Daily Discipline - Minot Vincent - Kathy Hammond/Marvin Kissee

** Also note: a special session for praise teams and worship leaders concerning blended and contemporary worship will be held at the January 27th event at Watertown from 1:30-4:00pm.

For more information about these great courses, please call or email Bonnie Carlson at the Conference Office at bcarlson@midco.net 605-996-6552.

DISASTER TRAINING OFFERED BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Do you live in North Dakota? Do you want to "spiff up" your disaster response skills? Consider registering for a FREE training, provided by the North Dakota Emergency Management. As mentioned, the training is free, and will be offered in the Bismarck area. January 8-10 -- "Principles of Emergency Management," February 27-28 "Training in Disaster Response."

Registrations are still being accepted, although space is limited. Contact Debra Ball-Kilbourne in the Office of Mission Engagement for more information and a registration form.

SPECIAL ASKINGS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
Did your church pledge an amount in support of the thirteen Special Askings mission projects? If not, you can still be supportive -- here are a few ways to share your support:

• Pray for the thirteen agencies which are a part of our Special Askings list. Each touches lives throughout the Dakotas.
• Select one or two askings, or the General Askings fund, and give a Christmas offering in support of your choice.
• Use your newsletter or email to interpret the mission of our Askings ministries. Look at the Conference website for more information.
• Plan a mission fair! Choose a month, such as March, and a theme, such as "March for Missions." Invite a speaker from one or
• more of our agencies or set up colorful booths with information from selected ministries.

The thirteen askings ministries need our support. Thanks for providing yours!

MISSION IMMERSION -- HEART OF THE CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
Judy Kerr, of Heart of the City Neighborhood Ministries in Fargo invites you and members of your church in the Dakotas Conference to be immersed in mission! Contact Judy for more information.

CONFERENCE CALENDAR -- JANUARY-JUNE, 2002
January
10/12 - Cabinet - Fargo
11/12 - Local Church Resources - Living Waters
11/12 - Lay Speaking (basic) - Redfield
18/19 - Lay Speaking (advanced) - Redfield
24/25 - Cabinet - Fargo
24/25 - Bread Days - Pierre

February
1/2 - Global Ministries - Pierre 1st
7 - Futures Task Force - Living Waters
13 - Ash Wednesday
14/15 - Cabinet - Bismarck
22 - Trustees - Fargo
28/1 - Cabinet - Aberdeen

March
1/2 - Leadership Council - Aberdeen
1/2 - CCFA - Aberdeen
1/2 - Pensions - Aberdeen
6-8 - Leadership Academies - Jamestown/DWU
21/22 - Cabinet - Sioux Falls
22/23 - Bishop's T.F. on Children - Living Waters
24-30 - Holy Week
31 - Easter

April
7/8 - Cabinet - Aberdeen
8-10 - School of Ministry - Aberdeen
10/11 - Ordained Ministry - Aberdeen
13 - Nominating Committee - Aberdeen Faith
16 - Sessions - Sioux Falls
18/19 - DWU Trustees - DWU
25/26 - Cabinet - Fargo

May
6/7 - Foundation - Mitchell
16/17 - Cabinet - Rapid City

June
5-9 - Dakotas Annual Conference - Sioux Falls
7/8 - Ecumcnical Gathering - Sioux Falls

As always, be sure to check the Conference Web Page for valuable information, and links to the Conference Office, Camping, Local Church Resources, and the United Methodist Church in general. Merry Christmas!