Bishop Lanette Plambeck after being elected bishop at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference in November 2022. Photo by NCJ communicators.

“I want to be where our people are, hear their hopes and dreams for our conference, and see the places they live, love, and worship,” said Bishop Lanette Plambeck, who began her assignment as resident bishop for the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area on Jan. 1.
 
That’s precisely what our new bishop hopes to do at a series of upcoming gatherings in each district. United Methodists in the Dakotas are invited to choose a location and come to meet Bishop Lanette, hear some of her story, worship together, enjoy warm hospitality and good conversation, and leave with a renewed sense of hope for the future.

“There is a misperception that ‘the conference’ is a building and certain staff positions,” said Bishop Lanette. “The truth is every single United Methodist lay person and clergy, including those in extension ministry, are the Dakotas Annual Conference. I’m getting out to meet the conference. In order to lead a people, you need to know the people...I'm excited to be in the places where the United Methodist Church is engaged across the states—sharing and showing the love of Jesus.”
 
Many bishops begin their assignment with an official installation service; elements of such a service will be weaved into the Episcopal Address at the 2023 Annual Conference. But Bishop Lanette is eager to get to know United Methodists in North and South Dakota before then.
 
Bishop Lanette began onboarding Nov. 13 after being elected Nov. 2 at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She said her initial weeks have been both inspirational and revelatory.
 
The upcoming gatherings will include a time for Bishop Lanette to share about herself and to answer questions from attendees. What does she most want Dakotas United Methodists to know?
 
“I want people to know that I love Jesus and the United Methodist Church,” she said. “I want to assure them I am committed to leading in a way where all are welcome and wanted. I want United Methodists throughout the Dakotas to see how my life and leadership are deeply rooted in the Wesleyan Way. I also want to listen deeply for their hurts, pains, and celebrations and also to hear how we are growing as disciples of Jesus and transforming the world.”

The past few years have been challenging, to say the least: From the global pandemic that impacted mission and ministry to the deep divisions in our world, country, and church, there’s been much to discourage us. More than ever, we need connection—a value that the Dakotas Conference holds deeply. There is hope and encouragement that comes from being together and looking to the future. That’s precisely what these gatherings will offer.
 
“When we gather together, we have the assurance that we are not alone in this and that best of all, God is with us,” Bishop Lanette said. “So come. Worship. Connect. Pray. And be emboldened. I am very much looking forward to meeting the people I already love.”
 

The gatherings will take place at (time listed are local times):

• Bismarck Legacy UMC, 4600 Durango Drive, Bismarck, ND, Saturday, March 4, 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m., lunch will be served at noon followed by worship and conversation.View a livestream of the worship service here.
• Rapid City Canyon Lake UMC, 3500 Canyon Lake Dr., Rapid City, SD, Sunday, March 5, 8:30 a.m. —11:00 a.m. (MST), worship will be at 8:30 a.m. followed by coffee and conversation. View a livestream of the worship service here.
• Pierre First UMC, 117 N. Central Ave., Pierre, SD, Sunday, March 5, 4:30 —6 p.m., worship will be held at 4:30 p.m followed by conversation and refreshments. View a livestream of the worship service here.
• Fargo Faith UMC, 909 19^th Ave N, Fargo, ND, Saturday, March 18, 11:30 a.m.— 1:30 p.m., soup and bread will be served at noon followed by speaking and conversation.
• Watertown First UMC, 4 2^nd Ave SE, Watertown, SD, Saturday, March 18, 4 —6 p.m., dessert reception and conversation begins at 4 p.m. followed by worship at 5 p.m., view a livestream of the worship service here.
• Sioux Falls First UMC, 401 S. Spring Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, Sunday, March 19, 9—11:30 a.m. conversation and greetings at 9 a.m. followed by worship at 9:45 a.m., followed by more conversation. View a livestream of the worship service here.
• Sioux Falls Sunnycrest UMC, 4801 W 41^st St, Sioux Falls, SD, Sunday, March 19, 12:30 —2 p.m., lunch will be served followed by a time of conversation.
• Brookings First UMC, 625 5th St, Brookings, SD, Sunday, March 19, 3—4:30 p.m. refreshments followed by speaking and conversation.