Bishop Lanette Plambeck answers questions at Legacy UMC in Bismarck, N.D. Photo by Dani Monzelowsky.

"When a curious teenager walked across a street in Rapid City, South Dakota, to investigate what was happening at a small United Methodist Church, it was the immediate sense of belonging that captured her heart. It was a recent message of belonging shared by Bishop Lanette Plambeck that once again spoke to the young teenager who is not even close to young nor a teenager anymore!" Rev. Terry Johnson shared these words after attending a gathering at First UMC in Brookings, South Dakota, to meet Bishop Lanette Plambeck.

March 4-5, Plambeck traveled across the Dakotas for gatherings to meet people, worship, pray, and share her story. She flew into Bismarck, North Dakota, and spent time with folks having lunch, worship, and conversation. Then Rev. Joel Winckler, the Northwest District Superintendent, drove Bishop Lanette to Rapid City. She spent time in worship and conversation on Sunday at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church in Rapid City, South Dakota. At 4 p.m., the same day, she worshipped with people at First UMC in Pierre, South Dakota.

"It is good to get to know the people and the culture. There is North Dakota culture. There is South Dakota culture. There is an east river. There is a west river. There is a lot to learn," said Plambeck.

Bishop Lanette, center, gets a hug at Canyon Lake UMC. Photo by Dave Stucke.

On March 19, Bishop Lanette greeted people before and after worship at First UMC in Sioux Falls. She delivered the message during the 9:45 a.m. worship service and had lunch at Sunnycrest United Methodist in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At 3 p.m., she prayed and conversed at First UMC in Brookings, South Dakota.

"I have always believed it is important for persons in leadership positions to be both visible and accessible to those whom they serve. When Bishop Lanette announced the list of meet and greet sessions to be held across the Dakotas Conference, it was evident our bishop wanted to begin the process of being accessible to persons who make up the Dakotas Conference membership," said Tom Dravland, a member at First UMC in Pierre, South Dakota, and the Dakotas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.

As she met with United Methodists in Bismarck, Rapid City, Pierre, Sioux Falls, and Brookings, she focused on the words from Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." ( NRSV)

Bishop Lanette shares a story with the people gathered at First UMC in Pierre. Photo by Dave Stucke.

Rev. Sara Nelson, who serves First UMC in Sioux Falls and is the Dakotas Conference Episcopacy Committee chair, said, "Bishop Lanette's visit to First UMC in Sioux Falls was a blessing! What an incredible gift for so many people across the Dakotas Conference to meet Bishop Lanette and hear her vision for the United Methodist Church!"

Grace Stucke, a member at Canyon Lake UMC in Rapid City, South Dakota, agreed. "I was really impressed by Bishop Lanette. Her sermon was inspirational, and she also added some personal experiences," said Grace. 

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.

"It was a beautiful session! I think I was most impressed by how 'real' the Bishop and her message were. It was inspiring to hear about her journey and all that she went through. I am excited for her leadership and look forward to working with her," said Dawn Weber, a member of Dickinson UMC, who attended the session in Bismarck.

In ministry and leadership, Bishop Lanette shared four things that ground her decisions and directions in life —Great Commandment, Great Commission, Great Requirement, and Great Invitation.

Bishop Lanette shares a fun story with those gathered at First UMC in Brookings. Photo by Kate Heiberger.

The Great Commandment—What does it mean to love our God with our whole heart, mind, and soul, and what does it mean to love our neighbor?

The Great Commandment is shared in Matthew 22: 36-40, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

The Great Commission—To go forth and make disciples preaching, teaching, reaching, baptizing, "The very best part of the Great Commission is the last part, 'I am with you,' " said Bishop Plambeck. 

In Matthew 28:16-20 we find The Great Commission "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NRSVUE)

The Great Requirement—What does the Lord require of us? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God is the Great Requirement, from Micah 6:7-8, "Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" (NRSVUE)

The Great Invitation—The invitation is to truly be the church of Pentecost that we see in Acts I and II. Engaging the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, being engaged in Jerusalem—the church, and Judea, to Samaria, to the ends of the earth.

After listening, Dravland shared, "I found Bishop Lanette to be likable, warm, and open to answering questions directly, but also able to interject humor to break the ice. She spent time answering any questions the audience had about her personally or professionally. As she answered questions, Bishop Lanette described the process she uses to make decisions. Her process has multiple steps and, as she identified, fit completely with the words contained in the song 'Order My Steps.'"

Bishop Lanette, center, visits with Rev. Roy Caudill, right, as Rev. Rebecca Trefz, left, listens at First UMC in Sioux Falls. Photo by John Srtska.

Plambeck spent time answering questions at each of the sessions. Speaking about disaffiliation, the Bishop shared, "At the end of the day, we might think we have the power to separate. But not even disaffiliation has the power to separate us from the love of Christ Jesus. We are affiliated with the body. The toe cannot say to the ear, 'I have no need for you.' The ear and toe are part of the body, just as we are part of the body. I am hopeful we can love our way through this. Absolutely nothing has the power to separate us from the power and love of Christ Jesus. Therefore we can do the ministry we are called to do."

"Bishop Lanette's positive attitude and able leadership will carry us through these difficult times," said Grace Stucke. 

When asked about specific goals for the Dakotas Conference, Bishop Plambeck shared, "We need to develop rural ministry. We need to develop and deploy our laity. The church is at its very best when the laity and clergy are in partnership together."

"I appreciated the friendly and relaxed atmosphere at the Meet and Greet with Bishop Lanette. She was engaging and informative about her background, the issues facing The United Methodist Church, and the direction she sees the church moving," said Kay Becker, a member of First UMC in Brookings.   

When asked where she falls on the theological spectrum, Bishop Lanette said, "I am Wesleyan—personal piety, small groups, and accountability. I believe in the Trinity God. I believe to the very depths of my soul that there is not just a good future for The United Methodist Church. There is a very good future! Because we are created in God's very image, we will continue to lead, learn, and we will continue to love as God loves us. Things may be challenging, but things will be very good."

"I found her so easy to listen to and follow. I loved her demeanor and vibe," said Erin Woods, a member at Canyon Lake UMC. 

Nancy Bohlen, from First UMC in Brookings shared the same seniment about Bishop Lanette and added, "I appreciate the stance of 'unapologetically Wesleyan.' I reflected on her comment that among Jesus disciples, Judas and Mathew were very much opposites yet together they are part of the twelve. Jesus shows us that there is room for a variety of thought yet we can come together for a shared purpose."

Toward the end of each session, the Bishop shared, "I am hopeful that I will be able to serve in the Dakotas-Minnesota Area to my capacity, which would be about ten years. It is my joy to be with each of you. I can't wait to hear more of your stories and to share more of my story. Remember that no one can separate us from Christ Jesus!"

Rev. Teri Johnson shared this reflection, "Bishop Lanette's warmth and wonderful sense of humor communicated her authenticity and genuine care for the conference and her love for Jesus. There is an intense need to feel that we belong within each of us. This feeling of unity and togetherness comes through the warmth of a smile, a handshake, through laughter, and unspoken actions of love in prayer. It comes in the quiet sacred moments of soft conversation and in listening. This is a need that was filled in my young heart forty-five years ago and a feeling I experienced again as I heard Bishop Lanette speak to United Methodists in the Dakotas. Our conference will be blessed by her leadership as we grow together in our love of God and service in Christ."

The sessions planned for Fargo, North Dakota, and Watertown, South Dakota, were postponed due to weather. Dates for these two gatherings will be announced.  

Watch the videos: Canyon Lake United Methodist Church in Rapid City, First UMC in Sioux Falls, First UMC in Pierre, Legacy UMC in Bismarck, First UMC in Brookings.

See the photos: Legacy UMC In Bismarck, Canyon Lake UMC in Rapid City, First UMC in Pierre, First UMC in Brookings, and First UMC in Sioux Falls—more photos coming soon.