Dr. Clinton Desmond from DWU led a combined clergy and community choir in performing "For the Beauty of the Earth" by John Rutter during the Celebration of Life in Ministry service.

"You have been called into the vocation of love. God is wooing you into a love relationship with God and your neighbor," Bishop Lanette Plambeck told those retiring from ministry, being recognized as a licensed local pastor, being commissioned, and being ordained at the Celebration of Life in Ministry Service.

Preaching on 1 John 4 at the worship service held on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Downtown First United Methodist Church in Mitchell, South Dakota, she encouraged those present to be agents of love.

"I trust at some point in your ministry, somone has said or will say to you, 'What do you do?' The answer is easy—I love. I talk about love. I teach about love. I am an agent of love. I love," stated Bishop Lanette Plambeck.

The fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, refers to a set of nine spiritual qualities or virtues that are produced in believers because of the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

"When these characteristics show up in us, others experience God through us," said Bishop Plambeck.

Ordination, commissioning, and licensing are the ceremonial steps in answering God's call—the call to share God's love in this world.

"You who come before us today, not come as finished products. You do not come without fear or because you have mastered all things. You come because you have heard a voice that said, 'I see something.' That voice that said, 'Whom shall I send'. We hear the voice and respond, 'Here I am, Lord, send me.' Let us love one another. That is where ministry begins because God is love." said Bishop Lanette.

"Love is not a sentimental phrase but a seismic one," shared Bishop Plambeck. "In a world obsessed with control, performance, and power, God's Gospel reminds us that love is not soft; it is sovereign. Everything we do in this calling—every sermon we preach, every sacrament we share, every hand that we hold, every truth we speak, is only faithful if it flows from love. It is not the kind of love that flatters but the kind of love that forms us in our relationship with God. The kind of love that shapes hearts and shakes up systems. You are being ordained into that love."

She spoke of the anti-Christ spirit that surrounds the world today. Ministry takes everything in you to share God's love amid the anti-Christlikeness.

"It will take everything in you to share God's love. This love demands that we show up in rooms where grief lives, where injustice festers, and where hope flickers. It will take everything—your voice, your time, your tears, your courage—to live out that love," said Bishop Lanette. "I know that love lives in you. You are not alone. A great cloud of witnesses surrounds you."
 

Five individuals were commissioned and five were ordained during the service held on June 8, 2025, in Mitchell, S.D. (Photo from Laura Sherman)

Bishop Plambeck shared examples of that lineage of faithful witness. Augustine taught that our hearts are restless until we rest in God. John Wesley called us to personal holiness and social transformation. Dietrich Bonhoeffer resisted the idols of empires and taught us that it comes at a cost. Jürgen Moltmann insisted that God is present during suffering and pulled us to hope.

She drew inspiration from the modeling, leadership, and love of Julian of Norwich, Harold Thurman, Sojourner Truth, Ada María Isasi-Díaz, Delores Williams, Willie James Jennings, Bishop Leonine T. Kelly, and Pauli Murray — leaders who shared a legacy of God's love amid grief, conflict, and injustice at a personal cost.

"As your bishop, I bring to you the weight of our connection, the legacy of The United Methodist movement. That hope that this church still matters in this world. I bring a trauma-informed lens and a Wesleyan imagination—a belief in sanctifying grace that can transform anything, including the church. You bring a fire all your own. You bring the love of God in you," exclaimed Bishop Lanette.  

At the Celebration of Life in Ministry, several ministry milestones were commemorated, including the remembrance of clergy, clergy spouses, and conference staff who had passed away. The clergy members memorialized were Rev. Alan Brockway, Rev. Rod Gist, Rev. Roger Smith, Rev. Penny Ritter, Rev. Pete Moe, and Rev. Wayne McKirdy. The Clery spouses remembered were Steve Nugaard, Esther Samuel, Jim Oates, Enid Roth, Carlyle Richards, Eldon Moon, Jim Eichinger, Mary Heitsman, and Verna Eberhart. Conference staff Christopher Sylvah and Jim Dustin were memorialized.

These retiring clergy were celebrated for their faithful service: Ray Baker, Richard Bensinger, Dan Freed, Jan Gross, David Jacobsen, Laurie Kidd, and Ron Olson.

Three people entering assignments licensed local pastors were honored: Bennett Clough, Lisa Luft, and Paul Plueddeman. Additionally, Connie Eichinger was recognized for achieving an important milestone: completing the educational requirements for a licensed local pastor.

Kara Heagel was commissioned for the work of a deacon. Davis Anderson, Taylor Johnson, Taryn Ragels, and Laura Sherman were commissioned for the work of an elder.

Quaya Ackerman, Bryce Blank, Thanael Certa-Werner, Julie Gregg, and Teresa Person were ordained elders.

Watch the service here.
View the Celebration of Life in Ministry Booklet.