Bishop Lanette shares a message during worship at Faith UMC in Fargo. Photos by Dave Stucke, Dakotas UMC.

"People who used to love one another cannot imagine loving another again because they see the world differently. There is this divide economically, politically, geographically, and culturally. Our reality is that we belong to groups and exclude other groups, even in our beloved United Methodist Church. Jesus asks us, 'Are you paying attention to the haves and the have-nots?' Nothing can separate us from God. We belong to one another," said Bishop Lanette Plambeck, resident bishop for the Dakotas-Minnesota Area of The United Methodist Church. 

Plambeck traveled to Fargo, North Dakota, and Watertown, South Dakota, for gatherings to meet people, worship, pray, and share her story. 

Rev. Melissa Gall, deacon, attended the gathering in Watertown.  She said, "Bishop gave some background about her life. The relaxed and down-to-earth way that she shared helped the folks gathered not only get to know her and hear a bit of her story, but also see that bishops are real people who like to joke and have fun in the midst of the business and busyness, fruitful and challenging seasons of life as United Methodists."

Bishop Lanette shared a message based on Micah 6:7-8: "Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil? Should I give my oldest child for my crime, the fruit of my body, for the sin of my spirit? He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God."

At each of the gatherings, Bishop Lanette shared the story of attending basic training under the direction of William Benjamin Polite, or Drill Sergeant Willy B. Polite. "He was not polite. He was a drill sergeant in every sense of the word," said Bishop Lanette.

She described how her drill squad approached teaching Private Johnson to march. The squad was punished because Johnson would fall out of step when marching. Bishop Lanette served as the squad leader and was challenged by Drill Sergeant Polite to find a way to teach Private Johnson to march in step. A team of four surrounded Private Johnson while she marched for modeling and cadence. Johnson excelled and found her step. "She elevated all of us to a new level. She led us in cadence. We saw the transformation," said Bishop Lanette. 

Cadence exemplifies a way to live together amid the diversity and differences Bishop Lanette stated. 

Rev. Jen Tyler, pastor at First UMC in Watertown, said, "One of the things Bishop Lanette helpfully named in talking about how to move forward amidst so much diversity of thought and practice was when she said, 'I have never met a person who wasn't made in God's image.' Wouldn't life be more full, beautiful, kind, and grace-filled if we truly interacted with and saw one another in this way?" 

"We are children of God and people of worth—COGPOW," Bishop Lanette told the children at Faith United Methodist Church during worship. "COGPOW is our superpower," she said. She had the children show those attending the worship service their fancy walks and invited everyone to walk with Jesus.

"Bishop Lannette interacted with people and connected with them on a personal level. Many of our parishioners commented they were impressed with her ability to serve as a bishop and make personal connections easily," said Rev. Ray Baker, Fargo Faith UMC.

There was a time for questions at the gatherings in Fargo and Watertown. Bishop Lanette shared information about her background, discussed the issue of disaffiliation, and talked about the future of the United Methodist Church. 

"Bishop Plambeck willingly answered questions from the assembled group on a variety of topics, including her family, her background, and church disaffiliations. There were several questions on disaffiliations," said Kay Braun, a member of Faith UMC in Fargo. "The group was attentive as the bishop answered their questions. She was a calm presence."

Pastor Melissa's daughter Lydia and son Henry also attended the gatheirng in Watertown. "They love the Bishop has two cats named Johnny and June Carter cat," said Pastor Melissa. 

Bishop Lanette asked those attending to walk with her into the future as United Methodists. "Jesus' invitation to each of us is to come along with Jesus, to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God," she said.

Watch Bishop Lanette's message a Fargo Faith 
View photos of the gathering at Fargo Faith UMC
View photos of the gathering at Watertown First UMC