It’s a busy year for conferences, so we want to ensure you know these important dates and items.

The 2016 Annual Conference Sessions Workbook is now online. This workbook has been assembled by conference staff as an information repository to prepare you for learning, discussing, and voting on conference business. Click here to access the workbook.

USB Thumbdrives will be distributed to Annual Conference registrants for the second year. These small key-sized drives will contain printable materials and resources you can use at your home church. Your electronic materials will be sorted and filed, instead of mixed up in tote bags.

The Youth Ministry Training Plan has been designed by Ministry Architects and Dakotas Conference Leadership Development and Youth Ministry. This plan will help parishes produce healthy, sustainable youth ministries by strengthening the lay leaders and staff within their congregation, designing a ministry plan, and growing congregational support of the targeted ministry. Author and consultant Stephanie Caro will give a presentation on June 8, from 6:30 - 7:30pm in the Roosevelt/Lincoln Room prior to the Lay Servant Ministry Reception. Click here for more information on these events.

Everyone is invited to attend the following activities without a fee or formal registration at Annual Conference:

• Pre-conference workshops, which will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at various locations. Register when you register for annual conference. Click here for information.

• Annual Conference worship services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings.

• Teaching sessions on Friday. Author Rev. Dr. James Harnish will be this year's featured speaker. Click here to view his blog.

• The Celebration of Life in Ministry will be held at Sioux Falls FIrst UMC at 7:00pm.

The last day to register for Annual Conference without a late fee is May 20, 2016.