Bishop Lanette Plambeck gave the final words at the Celebration of Life in Ministry Service on June 8, 2024, at Bismarck McCabe UMC. Photos by jlynnstudios.

The 31^st session of the Dakotas Annual Conference was held June 6-8, 2024, in Bismarck, North Dakota. The gathering included inspiring worship, business, conversations about who and where we are, and celebrating clergy milestones.  We gathered as one body at Legacy United Methodist Church and McCabe United Methodist Church. Here are some of the details from our time together.

Theme: Drawing on Isaiah 43:1, the theme of this year’s gathering is “Jesus. Redeemer.” We are all called and redeemed by God. God rightfully declares: "You are mine." The Lord not only knows us each by name, but God also calls us by name. Like the people of Israel, we, too, are seeking to encounter the living Christ. Even amidst the challenges of our world today, we seek to be redeemed and respond by “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” Matthew 28:19.

Bishop's Episcopal Address: Bishop Lanette Plambeck delivered the 2024 Episcopal Address during opening worship on Thursday, June 8, 2024.

TED style talks: A TED Talk is a presentation of less than 20 minutes about a complex topic or issue that we are wrestling with. The speakers shared how ideas might hold promise for us in ministry and our faith journeys. Speakers challenged us to wrestle with our questions, surrender to God’s call for each of us, and impact the world by making disciples.

Rev. Rebecca Trefz shared a light moment at the podium during a plenary session at Annual Conference 2024.

Missional Report: The 2023-2024 Missional Report will highlight the ways we have been in ministry together and are journeying with Jesus, our redeemer. See it here.

Recognizing milestones in ministry: At the  Celebration of Life in Ministry worship service on Saturday morning, we honored friends and colleagues who have died in the past year, honor retiring clergy, and celebrate clergy being commissioned, elders being ordained, newly assigned licensed local pastors, and licensed local pastors completing their educational requirements.

Legislation: Voting members considered legislation put before them during the 31^st session of the Dakotas Annual Conference, including: the 2025 Budget Proposal, the Report of the Nominations Committee, the Board of Pensions Report, resolutions, and petitions. 

Miracle Offering: Through the 2024  Miracle Offering, we collectively gathered our resources to make an impact.  Connectional Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut gave the sermon during this worship service.

Videos: See all the videos presented, as well as livestream recordings of the entire 2024 Annual Conference here.

Photos: You can view and download high-resolution versions of all photographs that professional photographer Joni Rasmussen, jlynnstudios, took. Just click on the photo you want, then hit the down arrow in the lower-right corner of the page. View and/or download photos here.

Summary: Download a summary of the 31st session.