Wondering how to condense two and one-half full days of worship, discerning, and celebrating into a succinct report you can bring back to members of your congregation?
Here are some highlights to consider sharing:
Theme: Drawing on Philippians 4:4-7, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. The theme of this year’s gathering is “Created to Serve Joyfully.” We highlighted the ways we have been in ministry together in the past year and are serving joyfully across the Dakotas. We also heard several video messages about how individuals are serving joyfully in their community. Access logo and graphics.

Bishop Lanette Plambeck (left) and Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank pause for a photo at the 2026 Dakotas Annual Conference. Photos by jlynn studios.

Bishop's Episcopal Address: “Be ecclesia people who get in the way. Get in the way of fear, hopelessness, injustice, hatred, anything that diminishes others in Christ,” Bishop Lanette Plambeck told those gathered for opening worship at the 33rd Session of the Dakotas Annual Conference. In the 2026 Episcopal Address, Bishop Plambeck shared the meaning of Ecclesia with the 365 in attendance in Bismarck, North Dakota. It is an ancient Greek and Latin term that translates to "an assembly called out".  Read an article | Watch the Episcopal Address.

Speaker Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank: Reading the words from Matthew 25, in bare feet, Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Resident Bishop of the California-Pacific Conference, defined El Pueblo to participants at the 2026 Dakotas Annual Conference in Bismarck, North Dakota. "El Pueblo” translates to "the town," "the village," or "the people." Introducing Bishop Escobedo-Frank, noting her bare feet, Bishop Lanette Plambeck stated, “How beautiful are the feet that bring Good News!” Growing up on the border between Arizona and Mexico, El Pueblo was everything. Community is all there is,” said Bishop Escobedo-Frank. Read an article | View livestream recording of the speech

Rev. Jen Huff’s Ted-Style Talk: Rev. Jen Huff described how joy provides us with moments when we catch a glimpse of God, of God’s love. A glimpse of the movement of God’s Spirit. A glimpse that gives us the strength to keep serving, to keep responding to the needs of all God’s people. We see glimpses whenever people respond to suffering with compassion, to fear with hope, and to division with love. The General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry seek to bring glimpses of joy. Huff shared these glimpses of hope and joy. Read an article | View the livestream from Saturday, June 6 a.m.

Rev. Gad Maiga’s Ted-Style Talk:  Rev. Gad Maiga is from the dusty roads of Muberi village in Busia County, Kenya—where poverty whispered that higher education was impossible—and a proud young African whose life became a living testimony of God’s grace and the generosity of the wider United Methodist Church. Against unimaginable odds, Rev. Gad Wandera Maiga rose from the depths of poverty to the heights of possibility, carrying with him not just a personal story of triumph but the collective hope of countless young Africans. He shares his journey from Kenya to Africa University and now serving as the pastor at the United Methodist Church in Albert Lead, Minnesota.  Read an article | View the livestream from Saturday, June 6 p.m.

Worshipping at AC 2026 in Bismarck, N.D.

Legislation: Voting members of the 33rd Session of the Dakotas Annual Conference affirmed all the legislation before them, including the 2027 Budget Proposal, changes to the Dakotas Conference Structure and Rules, changes to the Clergy Housing Policy, and forming a Sacred Trust and Trauma-Informed Leadership Task Force. “We have done holy work together,” Bishop Lanette Plambeck told the body at the conclusion of the business of the 2026 Annual Conference. View all the legislation.

2026 Miracle Offering Service: “We need to be seed slingers of hope. We may never see the harvest. Don’t measure your ministry by what comes back to you. Release seeds, take small steps, do small things, and see what God can do,” Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank told worshippers during the Miracle Offering Service on Saturday morning. Bishop Dottie invited those at worship to participate in the 2026 Miracle Offering “From the Wellspring: Faith That Learns, Love That Serves,” as one way to be seed slingers of hope.  Read and article | Learn more about the 2026 Miracle Offering. Read article | View the livestream recording | Learn more about the 2026 Miracle Offering.

Ministry milestones: On Sunday, June 7, people gathered at McCabe United Methodist to remember those pastors and spouses who have passed away, honor and thank clergy entering retirement, and celebrate a pastor ordained as an elder, one being received into full membership, one commissioned as provisional member, one being received into associate membership, and two licensed local pastors who completed their educational requirements.  Read article | View the livestream recording

Resources for creating a presentation or sharing what you learned:  Word document of this summary | PDF document of this summary | Power Point template

Videos: Watch and/or download all the videos presented, and livestream recordings of the entire 2026 Annual Conference, here.

Photos: You can view and even 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 download the photos here.

News articles: Access all news articles.