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2025 MN Annual Conference in St. Cloud, Minnesota, June 11-13

On June 11-13, about 500 United Methodists from across Minnesota came together in St. Cloud to worship, learn, discern our shared future, and celebrate what God is doing through us. Drawing on 1 John 4, our theme was “Created to Love Boldly.” We were reminded that God loves us beyond measure and inspired to share God’s love in a hurting world.

Those in attendance from Hennepin Avenue UMC this year:
Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay & Rev. Cooper Wiggen (clergy)
Rev. Dr. Tim Eberhart & Rev. Becky Eberhart (clergy & presenters)
Bill Tipping (delegate, certified lay minister)
Ellen Sundell (delegate)
Jan Russell (children & family director at Good Samaritan UMC)
Rev. Kathy Austin Mahle (clergy)
Nancy Gunderson, Calley Donath-Beardsley, Jill Williamson (representing Disability Action)
Ann & Lee Carlson (representing OC Ministries)
Steve & Sarah Horsfield

Episcopal Address: In her Episcopal Address, Bishop Lanette Plambeck urged us to lean into “the reckless, unrelenting grace of God” even when the world around us seems bent on despair. She reflected on the word “hallelujah”—which is found only in Psalms and Revelation; it’s used not as individual praise but as a collective call to praise the Lord. She invited us to “raise our hallelujah” as a form of sacred resistance against fear and false gospels, as a testimony to what God has done, and as a commitment to what God will do through us. She encouraged us to be a people who love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. (Read article.)

Teaching Sessions: We heard two teaching sessions from Rev. Dr. Tim Eberhart, a theologian and professor at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He said climate disruption, political division, spiritual fatigue, and community breakdown are colliding and amplifying one another. He didn’t sugarcoat the realities of our time, but he did bring hope. He talked about how trees survive and regenerate after a fire. Some have seeds that actually need fire to break their dormancy; the fire opens and releases the seeds so they can begin to germinate and be the bearers of new life. He invited us to look for those “fire seeds”—tiny sparks of renewal that survive even the most devastating burn—and he identified five: active discipleship, social holiness, lifelong learning, radical equality, and a bold, embodied belief that God is love. (Read article.)

New Vision and Desired Outcome: The Minnesota Conference adopted for itself the powerful new vision statement that The United Methodist Church unveiled in May: “The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.” Our vision flows out from our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our conference also named a hoped-for outcome our our shared ministry: “Communities transformed by the love of God, where wounds are healed, connections flourish, and every person finds belonging.” (Access resources in three languages.)

Celebration of Life in Ministry: We honored and thanked 15 clergy entering retirement, and we celebrated one pastor ordained as a deacon, five ordained as elders, five commissioned as provisional pastors (a step on the way to ordination), one recognized as an elder in full connection from another denomination, and five authorized to serve as local pastors in the congregations and ministry areas in which they are appointed. Richard Huskey, who was also set to be ordained as an elder, unfortunately fell ill and was unable to attend the ordination, but Bishop Lanette is flying to Pennsylvania—where he lives—to ordain him as a matter of repentance and repair for the ways he was harmed by the church. In 1977, after Huskey disclosed that he was gay while in process to become an elder, the Minnesota Conference discontinued his orders. After the 2024 General Conference removed the denomination’s decades-long ban on gay clergy, Huskey requested to be ordained and was approved by the conference Board of Ordained Ministry. Bishop Lanette reminded honorees that they are not just consecrated to serve the church—they are consecrated to serve the world God so loves, and God will give them everything they need to answer their call (Read article.)

Conference Preacher: At the end of every Annual Conference, a clergyperson’s name is randomly drawn out of a bucket, and that person preaches a sermon at the following year’s gathering. This year, Rev. Matt Sipe from Hilltop UMC in Mankato was the conference preacher. He reminded us that in a world filled with division, fear, and hopelessness, the gospel teaches us that lament and sweetness can coexist. He said we are called to bring the good news of the gospel into this bitter, harsh, and sinful world.

Love Offering for Missions: Each year, churches in the Minnesota Conference take a Love Offering for missions in conjunction with Annual Conference. As of the end of Annual Conference, churches across the state had together given $57,615. This year’s Love Offering recipients are: United Methodist-related Africa University for student scholarships (30%), Immigration Law and Justice Network (30%), OC Ministries (which ministers to children around the world), and Midwest Mission (a depot in the United Methodist Committee on Relief supply network). We are invited to continue to give throughout the remainder of 2025. (Access resources.)

Legislation: Hundreds of voting members in attendance at Annual Conference approved the majority of legislation under consideration, including:

• a resolution calling on all congregations to commit to taking climate action by creating or strengthening a “green team” for action in four areas each year—worship, education, practice, and advocacy
• a resolution encouraging all congregations to examine our church property deeds and personal and business property deeds, as well as the books in our municipalities and counties, for discriminatory language/laws and have them removed
• a resolution that publicly opposes the U.S. presidential administration’s proposed plan for the U.S. to “take over” and own” the Gaza Strip and calls for the Palestinian people to have a voice in their own destiny and a right to their land
• a resolution affirming that withholding humanitarian aid to those in need is antithetical to the Gospel message and opposing the actions of the U.S. government to withhold aid from the people of Gaza
  (Read article.)

Laity Session: At the Laity Session, the Minnesota Conference’s three co-lay leaders reminded lay people from across the state that we are all called to ministry through our baptism, and there are many ways to use our individual gifts to share God’s love and proclaim the good news of Jesus. They are in the process of establishing a conference Board of Lay Ministry to equip and enable lay persons to be in mission and ministry in all aspects of life. We can stay tuned for opportunities to participate!

General Conference 2028: We celebrated that the Minnesota Conference has been selected to host General Conference, The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking assembly, in 2028. This will give us an opportunity to showcase our warm hospitality and beautiful state before hundreds of people from around the world. There will be opportunities for us to volunteer in a wide variety of roles and to see the worldwide connection up close. (Learn more.)

Annual Conference Playlist: We were blessed with a variety of incredible music throughout our three days together. There is an Annual Conference Spotify playlist with 15 of the songs we heard. You can listen to them for free to get a taste of our gathering. (Access playlist.)

News articles: Click here to read online articles about key news and sessions during Annual Conference.