Led by Harrisburg UMC pastor, Brandon Dunham, the Mitchell Fusion worship team, along with other pastors, led conference attendees in powerful worship on Friday and Saturday. (Photo by Rick Craig)

Seventy-two hours. 400 people. Gallons of coffee. Laughter, tears, and celebrations. Hard conversations, worship, and learning. All wrapped in the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit. This is the 2025 Dakotas Annual Conference.
Here are some highlights to consider sharing:

Theme: Drawing on 1 John 4, the theme of this year’s conference was “Created to love BOLDLY.” Throughout the gathering, Bishop Lanette, worship leaders, and presenters lifted up ways to live this theme in our ministry and discipleship. Teaching and workshop times laid out practice examples of how United Methodists across the Dakotas and the larger connection are putting this bold love into action. Access worship resources and graphics

Bishop's Episcopal Address: Bishop Lanette Plambeck delivered the 2025 Episcopal Address on Friday, June 6, 2025. She shared the many ways that the goodness of God’s love has been present in the past and will be lived out in the future for The United Methodist Church and the Dakotas Conference. “I want you to love God with such a desperate love, that you cannot help but tell your neighbor about the saving grace of God, " said Bishop Lanette.  Watch the Episcopal Address.  

Missional Report: The 2024-25 Missional Report reminded attendees at the 32nd Session of the Dakotas Conference that we were created to love boldly. This isn’t just the annual conference theme or logo—it is our identity and purpose—a calling that Dakotas United Methodists have been living passionately this past year. The Missional Report celebrated the ways the Dakotas Conference is boldly sharing the love of Jesus. View the 2024-2025 Missional Report. 

As a part of the Mitchell hospitality, local coffee trucks were present for attendees. (Photo from Bismarck Legacy UMC)

Theologian in Residence: Rev. Dr. Tim Eberhart, Dakotas Conference elder and associate professor of Ecological Theology and Practice at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary led attendees through two session around the theme “Fireseeds of Renewal.” Drawing from our Wesleyan theology and heritage, Eberhart identified ways that our ecclesial DNA has given us the resources and framework to face the challenges in our world in this time in history. View the livestream from Friday, June 6. View the livestream from Saturday, June 7.

Legislation: Voting members of the 32nd Session of the Dakotas Annual Conference affirmed all the legislation before them including the 2026 Budget Proposal, a resolution to create a Conference Green Team and Caretakers of God's Creation Coordinator, Reaffiliation Policy, and updates to the Conference Structure and Rules of Order. Additionally, members voted on four amendments to the constitution of The United Methodist Church.  View all the legislation.

Miracle Offering worship: When Rev. Jennifer McDonald was 17 years old, she preached a message on Youth Sunday. It was based on 1 John 4. Fast forward to 2025, she delivered a sermon based on the same scripture to 400 people gathered for worship on Saturday, June 7, at the Dakotas Annual Conference. "In First John, we read, if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us," shared Rev. Jennifer McDonald. As a part of this worship, the Miracle Offering was received for the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR.) Get more details. Watch Rev. McDonald’s sermon here.

Ministry milestones: "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. View the Celebration of Life in Ministry Service. Access the Celebration of Life in Ministry booklet.

 

The DWU Sherman Center was the primary location for worship and plenary. (Photo from Rick Craig)

Dakota Wesleyan and Mitchell community exhibit radical hospitality: Dakota Wesleyan University welcomed 400 United Methodists to campus for the 32nd Session of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church. At opening worship, on Friday, June 6, at the Sherman Center, President Dan Kittle welcomed everyone and shared an inspirational message. “We must prepare and shape people for lives of meaning and service. That is our shared commitment,” said President Dan Kittle. DWU, along with Fusion Church and Downtown First United Methodist Church in Mitchell, South Dakota, served as hosts of the three-day event. It has been nearly 30 years since the annual gathering has been held in Mitchell. Event organizers and attendees expressed great appreciation for the hospitality, facilities, services, support, and overall atmosphere of the location and hosts. Listen to President Kittle's welcome address.

Videos: Throughout annual conference, attendees watched videos that highlighted ways that churches and individuals are loving boldly as United Methodists in the Dakotas. Watch and/or download all the videos presented, and livestream recordings of the entire 2024 Annual Conference, here.

News articles: Access all news articles.