Bethlehem UMC in Hutchinson collected 56 used sewing machines this summer for Midwest Mission, where they will be restored and shipped to people across the world. A sewing machine can help a woman lift her family out of poverty.
Campers attended Camp Koronis in Paynesville, Northern Pines Camp in Park Rapids, and off-site adventures. Highlights include the new Tabernacle at Koronis Ministries, newly acquired forest land at Northern Pines, and the increasingly popular Games Galore and More camp event.
Lorraine Charinda will visit Minnesota churches Aug. 24 to Sept. 3. In her work, she helps small-scale farmers increase crop yields, fights malnutrition, and empowers women to gain financial independence.
This year, 19 clergy are starting ministry in the Minnesota Conference—some newly credentialed and some experienced. Find out what drew them here, what they’re excited about in their appointments, their spiritual gifts, what they appreciate about The UMC, and some fun facts about them.
Reflections from three recent graduates of the Practical Church Leadership Program.
Attendees gathered in community, shared testimonies, received support, and helped shape the future of racial justice work in the Minnesota Conference.
Being helpful in the middle of a war is not easy, but it’s the role that the Rev. Fred Vanderwerf is taking on as coordinator for In Mission Together: Ukraine.
Im: “I want to be a pastor for pastors. They need someone who understands them and their stress. I’m very excited to be on a journey with my colleagues.”
At the 2023 Annual Conference Session, members of this team reported on what they have discovered in their exploration and which ideas are bubbling up.
“To live your why as a Christian is an act of discipleship,” Bishop Bill McAlilly said in his connectional address about living with courage and boldness.
Highlights from two full days of worship, discerning, and celebrating that you can bring back to members of your congregation.
Resolutions oppose assault-style weapons, address Israeli detention of children, and support a U.S. Regional Conference and removal of discriminatory policies.
Seven individuals, three churches, and one organization were recognized for the ways they have made a difference in their communities and across Minnesota.
“I wonder if you would just join with me in leaning in...to one another in this room and declaring that there is indeed enough love for all of us.”
“That’s my prayer for you: that you will lead others toward beloved community,” she told those entering a new phase of ministry.
People with no connection to the church are finding life in communities forming in places ranging from restaurants and dog parks to tattoo parlors.
Sabrina Tapia is about to begin the process of conducting a three-pronged racial justice audit and will use the data to create a three-year plan.
To date, 83 grants have been distributed to Minnesota clergy for resources and experiences to improve their well-being.
Within the past two years, the number of deaconesses and home missioners in the Minnesota Conference has grown by 150 percent from four to 10.
United Church of Two Harbors is sponsoring and assembling solar units for citizens of Ukraine; you can participate too!
Rev. Carol Zaagsma will become assistant to the bishop for connectional ministries, effective July 1, 2024; Rev. Fred Vanderwerf will become assistant to the bishop for transitions and development, beginning July 1, 2023.
In recognition of Native American Ministries Sunday on April 23, hear about some of CONAM’s recent efforts and the dreams of members of that ministry team.
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A task force appointed by Bishop Lanette answered questions about who we are and how we will live together, and invites you to read them and reflect.
The event included lively worship, a Q&A in which several Hispanic planters shared their stories, a meal, and small group conversation.
Nearly 80 gathered at Koronis Ministries to learn about offering their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness as part of the body of Christ.
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Riverside UMC has a "Wednesday congregation" that engages students on early release days and provides dinner to their families.
Bishop Lanette delivered hope and inspiration to more than 500 Minnesota United Methodists at six churches (and online) while greeting clergy and laity.
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The 2023 Annual Conference is coming up, and here's a look at what you can expect from our two-day gathering in St. Cloud.
Reflective supervision is "pastors helping pastors give voice to the real daily challenges of their ministries and take healthy, specific action."
Kelby Werner and his mentor, Rev. Jeanine Alexander, share what each of them gained from their participation in The ELI Project internship program.
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Before the release of video footage showing the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols, Bishop Lanette urges us to pray and to center ourselves for the work of justice.
Nearly 200 youth and chaperones from 24 churches participated in “The Event” and learned about what it means to be rooted in Christ’s love.
This “think tank” is exploring how to position our staffing, structure, and resources as we move ahead and has identified four key focus areas.
Come meet our new bishop; hear some of her story; enjoy worship, warm hospitality, and good conversation; and leave with a renewed sense of hope.
Sabrina Tapia Contreras wants to help the conference bring an equity lens to everything we do.
Rev. Michelle Hargrave, who began her new role Jan. 1, has spent the past 10 years as lead pastor at Centenary UMC in Mankato.
Minnesota United Methodists cleaned and gutted houses ravaged by the hurricanes in Florida while offering a listening ear and a caring heart.
Minnesota Director of Communications Christa Meland gives a firsthand account of the program and what she appreciates about it.
These congregations collectively donated nearly 11,000 pounds of items as part of a statewide collection effort.
The church served free Thanksgiving meals to 140 community members—continuing a 34-year tradition and sharing God’s love with neighbors in a tangible way.
Today, four years after the church was on the brink of closure, it is reaching new people through a mid-week meal and worship experience.
Get a sense of the new bishop's background, gifts, vision for the church, leadership style, and views on human sexuality.
We rejoice to announce that newly elected Bishop Lanette L. Plambeck has been assigned to the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area. She will begin a two-year term on Jan. 1, 2023.
In the third day of 2022 NCJ, important conversations on gun violence and homophobia and transphobia in the church were held. Several resolutions passed. A jurisdictional committee on ordained ministry was re-instated. Dates and locations were announced for the next General Conference and NCJ Conference.
Bishop Julius C. Trimble began day four of 2022 NCJ Conference with his sermon for the morning worship service. Trimble asked the audience, why should we press on? Why should we stand up for the gospel? Why should we proclaim the good news to everybody? "Jesus is real, and the gospel is real,” said Trimble. “And we stand for the gospel. Because the gospel is good news. We stand with love over hatred. We stand with faith over fear. We stand with mission over misinformation. Oh, we stand up against racism and rejection and exclusion.”
"I confess that as a former delegate to jurisdictional conference I often categorized the election of bishops to something akin to horse trading," writes Rev. Cindy Gregorson. "More political than spiritual in nature, it seemed to me. But the 2022 North Central Jurisdictional Conference was noticeably different." The 10 candidates choose to gather weekly online to support and pray for each other. They also stood to read a shared liturgy and prayer during the NCJ Conference. Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai was also a candidate for bishop in 2016, but this time in 2022, “it felt like greater camaraderie, greater unity, it felt like these are my colleagues, as opposed to the other candidates for the episcopacy."
In the afternoon session on Friday, delegates and bishops gathered for a time of learning and conversation on understanding the impact of homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism within The UMC. Three people told stories, with a time for small group conversations after each story.
Bishop David Bard launched into his episcopal address declaring that we find ourselves in odd space historically, politically, and denominationally. In this odd time, the bishop challenged us to chop up our old decision-making tables and turn them into firewood that would create a warming fire where storytelling would be central.
On day two of the North Central Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church, opening worship began with prayer and reflection centered around the Native American Spirit Drum. Bishop Tracy Malone of the Ohio East Area preached from 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.
On Thursday afternoon, the North Central Jurisdiction formally honored three retiring bishops—Bishop Sally Dyck, Bishop Laurie Haller, and Bishop Bruce R. Ough—during a moving celebration of ministry filled with gratitude and love. Both Bishop Dyck and Bishop Ough retired in 2020 and took staff positions within the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, and Bishop Haller plans to retire at the end of 2022.
The sound of drumming called the North Central Jurisdictional Conference to worship on the second day of their gathering. It was a day of recognizing our diversity and unity, and one of centering ourselves in our identity in Christ. Bishop David Bard gave the episcopal address; Rev. Dan Scherwin of Wisconsin was elected as the third and final new bishop; and the delegates engaged in a conversation on Christian nationalism, racism, and white supremacy in our church and culture. The day ended with the celebration of the retirement of three bishops. Bishop Sally Dyck and Bishop Bruce Ough officially retired at the end of 2020. Bishop Laurie Haller is retiring at the end of 2022.
More than 600 gathered to worship and hear a message titled "God Has Us Right Where God Wants Us," from Bishop Bruce R. Ough at the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Ough invited attendees to explore Ezekiel 37:1-14, known as The Valley of Dry Bones. Ough said, "God's question to Ezekiel echoes in our hearts and head, can these bones live again? Is everything too far gone? Is it too late for us? Are the bones too dry, too broken, too trampled upon?”
The first full day of the 2022 North Central Jurisdictional Conference included the elections of two new bishops, a call to imagine more shared episcopal areas in our future, and presentations on the work of the Mission Council and the proposed 2022 Jurisdictional Budget.
The North Central Jurisdictional Conference delegates and episcopal candidates landed in Fort Wayne, Indiana Tuesday and gathered for a forum intended to introduce the ten candidates to the delegates. Delegates were able to gain insight into what shapes the candidates' understanding of racism in the church and how they might continue the work of dismantling and eradicating racism in their role as bishop.
Meet some of the young adult delegates who share a common motivation to represent the voices of the youngest generations at this North Central Jurisdiction Conference.
This week, delegates will gather from 10 conferences to elect three new bishops after two years of delay due to COVID. We will learn who the next bishop of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area will be.
Here are five great resources you can use right now. Then submit your own!
The organization is raising money for a transfomative housing site for 60 individuals and small families with a full spectrum of trauma support services.
A “Sowing Generously” event on Oct. 8 featured three Dakotas-Minnesota churches that have multiplied their ministries and reached new people.
Last summer, the church made and sold about 250 pizzas every Wednesday—ultimately raising $20,000 that was shared with 29 nonprofits.
The group learned about generational trauma and the residual negative impact that the boarding schools have on Native American people today.
Here are some simple ways to show honor and give thanks for your pastor during the month of October (and beyond).
From consultation to great ideas from other churches to full worship services and learning opportunities, The Ministry Lab has lots to offer (and at no cost)!
During the pandemic, The Grove UMC planted a second location that's thriving and continuing to welcome new people.
Rev. Judith Banya talks about how The Rev. Richard Ormsby Secondary School is making a difference in the lives of students in Sierra Leone.
NOMADS provides volunteer labor for United Methodist organizations throughout the nation and recently worked on two in Minnesota.
Kambi, who is from the Democratic Republic of Congo, will study applied plant sciences and then return home to teach at a university.
Through her nonprofit, Tracy Keibler offers a free training program that helps church members learn to serve as companion visitors for people with dementia.
Here's a glimpse at the Transitional Table's first meeting, and a survey through which you can give feedback to guide their work.
After hearing about autistic kids being unwelcome at church activities, Rachel Casper decided to create a specialized VBS for kids on the spectrum.
The NCJ Committee on the Episcopacy recommends having nine active bishops in 2023, with the Dakotas and Minnesota sharing one.
“It was well worth the time, effort, and money needed,” said Rev. Katherine Cornell, who serves Asbury UMC in Duluth.
The Central Appalachian Missionary Conference, the Minnesota Conference, and GCFA have partnered to address Kentucky flooding.
Here’s a look at this year's 13 incoming clergy—what drew them here, what they’re excited about, their spiritual gifts, what they appreciate about The UMC, and some fun facts.
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Nearly 20 churches received a grant for a book study, and the impact on each congregation has been significant. You can still apply for a grant
Some churches created a display of empty chairs to remember and honor those who died at the hands of a gunman at Robb Elementary.
Highlights from two full days of worship, discerning, and celebrating that you can bring back to members of your congregation.
In his letter, Bishop David Bard urges us to pray, and to take action to address our society's problem with violence.
Bishop David Bard: “Journeying together toward beloved community: May this be the Minnesota Conference.”
Attendees looked ahead, shared their hopes and dreams, approved key legislation, acknowledged churches that are closing or leaving, and thanked retirees.
“The world needs the ministry of Jesus Christ through the church,” Bishop David Bard told honorees. “This matters. Tonight matters.”
Rev. Cynthia Williams: “In the midst of a pandemic, a denomination separating...God has been faithful and you, the people of God, have stepped out in faith.”
Data reveal we’re nowhere close to reflecting the diversity of our state at any of the three levels examined: local churches, clergy, and conference staff.
After last weekend's mass shooting, Bishop David Bard urges us to pray for those who mourn and to have difficult conversations about race and hatred in the U.S.
The more than 700 pillows that members donated will go to several organizations that serve people experiencing homelessness.
The interns, who are both in seminary, will spend two months "trying on" ministry and working with clergy mentors.
MNsource will be a place for United Methodist church leaders throughout the state to both share and access excellent resources.
Bishop Bard is seeking nominations for Cabinet-level positions and a Transition Table to consider conference staffing, structure, and resourcing.
Betty Fuller, 100, has been a Minnesota Methodist since birth; she looks back on her life of faith and shares her prayer for the world and dream for the church.
Bishop Laurie Haller was granted a six-month medical leave, during which time Bishop Deborah Kiesey will assume episcopal leadership in Iowa and the Dakotas.
Scarves will be given to all delegates and guests at General Conference 2024, where Dakotas-Minnesota United Methodists will be recognized.
Through leading a praise music worship service at his church, Dean Roush heard God’s call to something bigger and is becoming a licensed local pastor.
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The May 24-25 gathering will include inspiring worship, a banquet, conversations about who and where we are, and celebrating clergy milestones.
Kathy Huber started seminary about 18 years ago and is now fulfilling a longtime call to pastoral ministry.
We will continue to engage in creating a post-pandemic church, living into our vision, embodying our values, and making a place at the table for everyone.
The 2020 General Conference will be further postponed to 2024 due to COVID-related and governmental policies/constraints.
Reflections from Pastor Volodymyr Prokip, who leads a student ministry in Ukraine, and Bishop Eduard Khegay, who leads the Eurasia Episcopal Area.
Bishop David Bard calls upon all Minnesota United Methodists to pray for peace in Ukraine—at their worship services this weekend and into Lent.
Miron Carney is a mayor and a lobbyist with a most interesting resume, but he recently embraced a longtime call upon his life: pastoring a local church.
Bishop David Bard introduces a new set of COVID-19 guidelines and encourages us to continue to act out of love for neighbor and care for our community.
Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
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