Thunderous clapping and cheering occurred as the members of the twenty-first session of the Dakotas Annual Conference honored Bonnie Carlson, long-time employee of the Dakotas Conference who will be retiring later this summer.  

Rev. Randy Cross, asked Bishop Bruce R. Ough to “suspend the rules and moved to name Carlson as ‘servant emeritus’.”  The members of the body approved with a standing ovation. 

Bishop Ough employed Carlson in the Dakotas Conference office thirty-three years ago.  Ough’s first appointment out of seminary was to the Dakotas Area staff and one of his first acts was to select an administrative assistant.  “It was one of the first decision and perhaps best decision I ever made,” said Ough.

Fourteen friends and family members surprised Carlson by travelling to Rapid City, unknown to her they just walked on stage.  Tears of joy and surprise were present as Bonnie Carlson introduced each of them.