We gather annually to be reminded what it means to be named and claimed by Jesus for the sake of our mission. We explore how to live together, anchored in our identity as Christ followers seeking hope, possibility, and purpose.

We discern our call as Minnesota United Methodists, and to be reminded that God redeems us, calls us by name, and invites us to be a blessing to others.

Together we determine mission priorities, ordain ministers, hear challenges to grow in faith and witness, conduct the business necessary for an organization to function, and celebrate how we have brought God's love to others in Minnesota and around the world.

More about the purpose, function, and structure of United Methodism. 

All active clergy are required to attend the annual conference. Those who cannot must get officially excused by their district superintendent. Clergy not currently serving, including retired, are invited to attend. 

It is desired that there be even representation of clergy and lay (non-clergy) people. Each church is expected to send the same number of lay members as clergy, and there are others who attend to "equalize" the number of clergy. 

Every participant—clergy and laity—are asked to:

• Prepare for the conference by becoming familiar with the matters to be discussed.
• Attend all the sessions of the conference gathering.
• Act for the good of the entire conference. 
• Carry the messages, teaching, and actions back to our local churches to be applied and acted upon.

The majority of conference events are happening on the second floor of the Doubletree Hotel, located at 7800 Normandale Blvd in Bloomington. The Celebrating Life as Clergy Service is happening at Hennepin Avenue UMC, located at 511 Groveland Ave. in Minneapolis. 

DoubleTree Hotel details and map

Hennepin Avenue UMC details

Shuttle service between venues

Each participant needs to:

• Arrange for lodging during the conference.
• Arrange for transportation to and from the conference
• Register for the conference. Registration closed on May 10.
• Familiarize themself with the matters to be discussed

1. Attend or review the recording of Town Hall Meeting, which will give an overview of the move to four districts, the new structure of the conference staff, and the process used to create the 2025 budget proposal. View Town Hall Recording
2. Review the conference materials, including legislation and reports. Download and/or print any parts you want to have available during the sessions. Link to materials.  
3. Attend or review the recording of a Pre-Conference Virtual Gathering to learn about key issues and legislation, including the proposed budget.
4. Review additional conference materials posted to the website the week prior to conference. This usually includes updates to previous material and reports of nominations and appointments. 

Registration has closed. Each person attending the conference needed to register in advance. Payment is required at the time of registration, via credit or debit card; alternate payment methods can be arranged by contacting Gail Johnson. 

Registration is NOT required to attend the Celebration of Life as Clergy at Hennepin Avenue UMC Wednesday evening, the social event at Normandale Hylands UMC Tuesday evening, or to access the live stream.

To attend a Tuesday afternoon workshop but not the conference session, contact Gail Johnson ([email protected])

Hotel Map

Parking

The DoubleTree Hotel has FREE parking for more than 1500 vehicles. There are multiple entrances that are unlocked from 6 a.m. to midnight. Make your way to the second floor of the hotel.

Check In

Pick up and put on your name tag. You will need this to vote, get lunch, and know which room to go to for lunch.

Find a Seat
The main meeting room opens for seating 30 minutes prior to start of day and is set with tables of eight seats. There are additional chairs, standing tables, and power strips around the edges of the room. 

Some tables will have pennants on them, these are designated for people who like—or need—to meet new people. If you are less outgoing, or prefer to sit with folks you already know, choose a table without a pennant. You are encouraged to sit with people from your church or area. Some people pick a seat and stay there, others move about throughout the sessions. You are welcome to do what meets your needs. (Often sound and temperature levels vary in large spaces.)

Closed Captioning

Monitors for closed captioning (in English) are located on either side of the room. Note that your view to the monitors may be obstructed when folks are standing, so choose your seat accordingly. You can also access closed captioning on any streaming device.  Link available one week prior to conference

Check out the rest of the spaces 

There are program and ministry displays throughout the second floor. 

The Prayer Room in room Atrium 8 offers a quiet and meditative space to reset your heart and mind. Staffed by certified spiritual directors, you can also sign up for a 15 minute sample session of this very special coaching. 

The Refreshment Room on the first floor offers hot beverages and snacks during breaks and lunch times.

People of color are invited to the Affinity Group Lounge in Room 218.

Our worship designers, Rev. Chris Kliesen Werhman and David Nyberg, have been intentional in creating worship with worship leaders from a diverse geographic area.

Worship liturgy and music is very personal, and we are a diverse group. Revel in what speaks to you, and respect what speaks to someone else.

Copyright requires lyrics be shared as they were written and our practice is to not change language in rituals. You are encouraged to speak and sing the words that speak to your soul. 

We rise in body and/or spirit. Do what is comfortable for you. 

Offerings are gathered during two of our five worship events. In the Celebration of Life as Clergy, there is an offering for the Ministerial Education Fund which supports clergy seeking life-long learning opportunities. The Love Offering is gathered during worship on Thursday morning. The Mission Promotion team identifies key ministries each year to receive funds in support of the local, national, and international efforts. 

You are invited to make use of any parts of worship that will fit your context. Link to worship resources will be available during conference. 

When 500 and more are gathered in His name, certain rules must be employed to avoid chaos. 

• The bishop convenes us, and she ultimately determines the flow of the meeting. Marianne Ozanne and Tony Fink, co-chairs of the Sessions Team, make all announcements. If you want an announcement or to address the body, you must contact them. 
• We follow a specific agenda and work hard to adhere to the time frames set while still respecting that the work we are called to do may not fit into neat boxes. 
• We try not to use "insider language" but often overlook how much of our vocabulary is particular to the United Methodist Church. Review the Glossary of Terms to familiarize yourself.
• For legislation, we follow Roberts Rules of Order, unless we have voted to use a Holy Conferencing model. 
• To speak up or out, follow the steps of parliamentary procedure. A guide on our parliamentary procedure will be included in your conference materials.
• If you wish/need to speak to someone during a session, please step out of the room. 

Many related activities happen around the official content of the annual conference. 

• Lunch and Learns Wednesday
• Tuesday afternoon opportunities
• Program, ministry, and vendor displays
• UMCOR and MMDC Kit Collection
• Partnerships
• Refreshment Room (Coffee and treats during breaks and lunch times)
• Wespath Health Screening for those with Wespath health insurance
• Social gathering and talent showcase Tuesday Evening

We provide a plethora of tools and materials to share conference content with your local congregation. Links will be provided as they become available. 

• Session content: videos, graphics, and documents
• Telling the story: social media, video, and news articles
• Worship Services: speakers and leaders, outlines, liturgies, music
• Recordings of livestream