Registration is now open for the 31st session of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church. The three-day event will take place in Bismarck, North Dakota, at Legacy United Methodist Church and McCabe United Methodist Church. View the schedule.  

The Dakotas Conference Sessions Committee invites you to experience powerful worship, rich learning opportunities in workshops and plenary sessions, and fellowship with United Methodists from across North and South Dakota.  

Drawing on Isaiah 43:1, this year's gathering theme is "Jesus. Redeemer." We are all called and redeemed by God. God rightfully declares: "You are mine." The Lord not only knows us by name, but God also calls us by name. Like the people of Israel, we, too, seek to encounter the living Christ. Even amidst the challenges of our world today, we seek to be redeemed and respond by "making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world," Matthew 28:19.

People have been asking a few questions about this year's conference. 

What will all happen at the annual conference?

In her second year as resident bishop for the Dakotas-Minnesota Area, Bishop Lanette Plambeck will preside and deliver the 2024 Episcopal Address during opening worship on Thursday, June 8. 

We will hear from three engaging speakers on the power of redemption. In a TED Talk format, we will learn ways to show the love and redemption that Jesus offers each of us. Presentations about human trafficking, recovery and addiction, and racial divides will compel us to intersect our current ministry and our community. 

Lunch and learn sessions and workshops will be held on Thursday, June 6, and Friday, June 7. Access more details about the sessions. 

The 2023-2024 Missional Report will highlight how we have been in ministry together and are seeking to follow, to share Jesus' redeeming power and love. View last year's Missional Report here.  

We will honor friends and colleagues who have died in the past year at a Celebration of Life in Ministry worship service on Saturday morning and on Friday evening during the plenary session. During the Saturday worship service at McCabe UMC, we will  celebrate our retiring clergy, clergy being commissioned, elders being ordained, newly assigned licensed local pastors, and licensed local pastors completing their educational requirements. 

Voting members will consider legislation during the session, including any submitted petitions, the 2025 Budget Proposal, the Nominations Committee Report, the Board of Pensions Report, resolutions, and petitions. The 2024 Conference Workbook will be published online by May 20, 2024. 

When and how do I register? 

Registration is now online here. You must register by Friday, May 24, 2024, at 5 p.m. CDT, to obtain voting privileges and attend one of the necessary pre-conference gatherings.  

Why is there a registration fee?

The registration fee for members is $130. Non-voting clergy spouses and visitors can register and attend for $50.  

The fee covers the costs for the conference, including presenters' fees, charges for the technology platforms—including polling and presentation software, wi-fi, and other necessary production costs—support for each of the participants and presenters, worship service expenses, and lunch on Thursday and Friday.  

Can I watch everything on the live stream and not register? 

All worship services and plenary sessions will be available to the general public via livestream on the Conference website. In addition, the lunch and learn sessions and the workshops will be recorded for viewing later. 

What is the Pre-Conference Gathering, and why should I attend? 

There will be three Pre-Conference Gathering sessions held virtually via Zoom webinar. These sessions will inform participants about how voting will occur, the 2025 budget proposal, the nominations report, the consent calendar, and any other items in the Conference Workbook, published online by May 20. This will be an opportunity to discuss the legislation that will be discussed during the conference. There will be little time during the actual session to discuss these issues. Participants must take this time to get their questions answered. Connection information will be e-mailed to each registered participant before your session.

Please register for one of these Pre-Conference Gatherings when you register for the Annual Conference: 

• Tuesday, May 28 at 7-8 p.m. Central Time (CDT); 6-7 p.m. Mountain Time (MDT)
• Thursday, May 30 at 7-8 p.m. Central Time (CDT); 6-7 p.m. Mountain Time (MDT) 
• Sunday, June 1 at 7-8 p.m. Central Time (CDT); 6-7 p.m. Mountain Time (MDT) 

 Will childcare be provided? 

Childcare for children ages 0-10 years will be available during the Annual Conference 2024. You can sign up for childcare through the annual conference registration form.