December 21, 2022

Dear Colleagues in Ministry,

I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands, for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NRSVUE)

It is almost 2023. Are you ready? My hope and prayer for all of us this coming year, as we begin our ministry journey together, is that we will be rekindled with God’s boundless hope, love, joy, and peace.

I invite you to join me in Aberdeen, South Dakota, January 8 and 9, 2023. We will gather for worship, learning, fellowship, and a time of relationship building. Our time will begin with worship at North Highland United Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m., central time, Sunday, January 8, 2023. On Monday, January 9, 2023, we will meet at the Ramkota Inn. We will end our time together on Monday with worship that will be completed by 5:00 p.m. 

I am excited to get to know each of you and welcome the chance for us to learn more about each other. We have built times into the schedule for informal conversations and a time for you to ask me questions. Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, of The Upper Room, will lead us in a time of learning and reflection as we ponder our future together, building hope for tomorrow. View a preliminary schedule and register now.

I also want to encourage you to participate in the preaching workshop. This is an opportunity to do some planning and preparing for worship in the upcoming year. There is partial financial support available for clergy who attend. Get the details here.

Just as Paul encouraged Timothy let us encourage each other, rekindle relationships with old and new friends, and be inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christmas Blessings!
Bishop Lanette

RESOURCES:
View a preliminary schedule for the Epiphany Gathering
View a flier, with information about financial support, for the Preaching Workshop 
Registration for the Epiphany Gathering and Preaching Workshop