Annual Conference is a yearly session when clergy and lay members gather for worship, fellowship, learning, and to conduct the business of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church. During the 2021 Annual Conference session, members of the conference will hear reports of past and ongoing work; adopt future goals, programs and budgets; ordain clergy members as deacons and elders; and participate in workshops and learn about discipleship.

The Dakotas Conference Session Committee invites you to attend the June 11-12 event happening in a hybrid format.

The hybrid format will feature an opportunity to gather for business, in-person on Friday, June 12, 20201 one of these four locations:

• First United Methodist Church, Fargo, North Dakota
• McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, North Dakota
• First United Methodist Church, Rapid City, South Dakota
• Sioux Falls Convention Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

The Sioux Falls Convention Center will serve as the broadcast site, with all speakers and videos being broadcast to the three other locations. The agenda for Friday will focus on business with voting taking place at each location.

Saturday, June 12 will be a day of equipping and learning. Participants can join in-person at the Sioux Falls Convention Center or from their own device virtually. All sessions, wether you attend in-person or virtually, will have an interactive feature with the presenters and audience.

In a time of continual changes, God is calling United Methodists in the Dakotas to remain rooted in Christ. Drawing on our collective values of Jesus, Mission and Connection, the theme of this year's annual conference session is “Jesus Waymaker.” We will explore ways in which we need to step out of our comfort zone and follow the path to live like Jesus in ways beyond our imagination.

The Celebration of Life in Ministry service, a time when we remember those clergy and conference leaders who have left this earthly home to be with Jesus, celebrate clergy entering retirement, bless local pastors entering a ministry, commission and ordain new clergy, will happen Friday, June 11, at 7 p.m., broadcast from the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The service will be available virtually on the Dakotas Conference website.

The 28th session will begin with pre-conference gatherings happening virtually in late May and early June. Registration for these sessions and AC 2021 will open in March.