The 2016 Annual Conference will be held at the Ramkota Inn in Sioux Falls, SD.  The theme of this year's annual conference is “Living Generously Unleashing God's Gifts.” We will celebrate the ways in which we are answering God's call to use resources of all kinds to live out the scriptural imperatives to grow in love of God and neighbor, reach new people, and heal a broken world.  There is still time to register—click here to register now. 

Proposed rule changes

There are several proposed rule changes related to lay servant ministry leadership, ministry teams and camp and retreat ministry. 

Lay Servant Ministry—The lay servant ministry executive team has been meeting throughout the past year and is proposing to eliminate the current structure for lay servant ministry coordinators with an executive team that includes: two district co-leaders and conference co-lay leaders.

Ministry teams—Clergy are currently assigned to a ministry team by geography.  It is proposed that the requirement to be in a ministry team be eliminated.  Participation in peer clergy groups will be encouraged.

Camp and Retreat ministry—The proposed leadership structure for Camp and Retreat Ministry is to collaborate across the Dakotas-Minnesota Area and share a Director, advisory boards and set up site advocacy teams for each of the camp sites.

Watch this video about the proposed rule changes:

Proposed Rule Changes from Dakotas UMC on Vimeo.

Need a motel room?

The Ramkota Inn may still have a few rooms available. he rate is $97.99 per night at the RAMKOTA Hotel, 3200 W Maple St, Sioux Falls, SD 57107. Guests must call the Hotel directly to make reservations at (605) 336-0650.  Guests must specify they are with the DAKOTAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH to receive the special group rate. The special group rate and room block IS NOT available through the BEST WESTERN Reservations website.

Here is a list of hotels you can contact to reserve a room.  The room rates that are listed may or may not be honored.  The cut off date for the block has passed.

The Dakota Lodge, 3200 Russell St, is within walking distance to the event hotel. The block of rooms are reserved under the block name 'Dakotas Conference' and cost $99 for a King room.  Please call 605-332-2000.

Country Inn & Suites, 200 E 8th St, is about 4 miles/ 10 minutes from the event space. The block of rooms are reserved under the block name 'Dakotas Conference' and cost $94 for a standard room. Please call 605-373-0153 The AmericInn Motel & Suties, 3508 S Gateway Blvd, is about 5 miles/ 10 minutes from the event space. The block of rooms are reserved under the block name 'Dakotas Conference' and cost $100 for a standard room. Please call 605-361-3538.

Bring cleaning buckets to Annual Conference

In April, several rounds of heavy rain and surging waters deluged parts of Houston, Texas, killing seven people and leaving thousands of homes and businesses flooded and without power. 

One of the ways you can help is by gathering up cleaning buckets that are stored and bringing them to annual conference.  The cleaning buckets will then be brought to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Illinois.   Click here for more details