The Dakotas Annual Conference has voted to close Embrace Church as a United Methodist congregation. Clergy and lay members gathered via Zoom for a Called Special Session on Saturday, November 23, 2024. The resolution, presented by the Dakotas Appointive Cabinet, was amended by the body and affirmed by a vote of 162-22. The approved resolution read as follows:

WHEREAS, through mutual discernment and deliberation, it is recommended that Embrace United Methodist Church be dissolved as a United Methodist congregation;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the congregation be recognized with thanks to God for their partnership in ministry, and that Embrace United Methodist Church in the Southeast District of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church be officially discontinued under the provisions of The Book of Discipline, ¶ 2549 by the Dakotas Conference effective December 31, 2024;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Conference accept the agreement set forth in mediation and direct the trustees to complete the process and tend to the disposition of property; and with the help of pastoral leadership at Embrace and assistance of the Southeast District Superintendent and spiritual leaders to tend to and care for those that wish to remain United Methodist.

The session came at the culmination of conversations and formal mediation that began between Dakotas Conference leadership and Embrace Church in early 2023. In addition to the Bishop and Cabinet, conversations and discernment regarding Embrace’s future included representatives from the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA), the district board of church locations, both Conference chancellors, the assistant to the bishop for connection and communications, the conference board of trustees, and the common table.

During the process, Pastor Adam Weber, lead pastor of Embrace, met with individuals and families from Embrace who had UMC connections or roots. Embrace has not had a practice of receiving persons into formal membership for over a decade. The intention of Weber’s conversations was to gather input on Embrace’s future relationship with the denomination.

Through the process, it was determined that Embrace Church, though constituted as a United Methodist Church, no longer reflected the identity, polity, practices, or doctrinal standards and theological task of the United Methodist connection.

In presenting the resolution, the cabinet presented several factors that affirm this determination including: the connectional nature of clergy appointments, understanding and practice of sacraments, education and accountability required for credentialed pastors, connectional giving through apportionments for shared mission, the membership process and commitment.

Embrace Church has three locations in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, area.

While Embrace is still a viable congregation of Christian ministry, it was determined that it no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized (as a United Methodist congregation). With the passage of the resolution, the district superintendent will work with Embrace leadership to establish if persons who originally joined through United Methodist membership vows wish to transfer to another United Methodist Church or withdraw their membership.

Following mutual discernment by conference leadership, the conference trustees began the process of determining terms related to property. A formal mediation process was engaged.

“Through these conversations and discernment, it was established that it is in the best interest of the Conference, as it relates to a kingdom-minded witness and stewardship of resources, to sell the property, that vests with the annual conference, to the new Embrace entity after closure,” shared Rev. Kathy Chesney, chair of the conference board of trustees.

There is currently approximately a $9 million debt load on the Embrace properties. “The trustees, as well as the mediation team, believe that servicing that debt for any length of time is not the best use of funds for the Conference,” said Chesney.

A mutual agreement and settlement were reached with financial terms of $1.25 million, an amount that is nearly equal to the amount the annual conference had invested in Embrace since their 2007 launch for a combination of ministry and capital expenditures.

On October 23, 2024, Bishop Lanette Plambeck called the special session for the Dakotas Conference for the singular purpose of consideration of the resolution to close Embrace per the provisions of ¶2549. Later that week, the United Methodist Judicial Council issued Decision No. 1512 which clarified usage of ¶2549 of the 2016 Book of Discipline.

On November 12, 2024, Bishop Plambeck met with chancellors, Nancy Oviatt and Eric Olson, to review the recent Judicial Council decision. In compliance with the Judicial Council decision, the Bishop reiterated that this special session was not a reinstatement or replication of ¶2553, the disaffiliation allowance that expired on 12/31/23, nor is the session calling for the adoption of legislation, policies, guidelines, rules, or regulations authorizing the departure of local churches. Embrace’s departure from the denomination was not related to human sexuality, a required factor of disaffiliation per ¶2553.

The appointive cabinet, director of finance and administration, assistant to the bishop for connection and communications, district board of church locations, and conference trustees were consulted and unanimously voted to move forward with the called special session. Because the agreement with Embrace was reached prior to the issuance of Decision 1512, the Conference leadership believed that the best way to resolve the relationship with Embrace Church was to proceed with the agreed upon terms.

(Photo courtesy of The United Methodist Church Judicial Council)

“While we acknowledge the complexities surrounding this decision, it is important to affirm that no other churches in our area had binding agreements prior to Judicial Council Decision 1512,” said Bishop Lanette Plambeck, resident bishop of the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area.

During the session, Rev. Gary Ball-Kilbourne, retired elder from the Dakotas requested a ruling of law, in accordance with ¶¶51 and 2609 of The Book of Discipline, referencing ¶¶ 2501 and 2549, Judicial Council Decision 1512, and other relevant church law.  The written request stated:

“Is the ‘Cabinet Resolution to close Embrace Church/Embrace UMC,’ submitted for vote at the Special Session of the Dakotas Annual Conference meeting on November 23, 2024, along with accompanying background and rationale printed on pages 5 and 6 of the Special Session Conference Workbook, consistent with or in violation of ¶¶2501 and 2549 of the 2016 Book of Discipline as interpreted by Judicial Council Decision 1512?”

Bishop Plambeck received the request and will submit her response within 30 days of the close of the session.