 The North Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops announced that effective September 2012 the Dakotas Annual Conference and the
Minnesota Annual Conference will be combined and will be served by only one bishop.
The reduction was mandated by General Conference 2008.
Four of the five jurisdictions in the United States are effected.
 "We regret that financial considerations have forced us to make this decision," said Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton, president of the NCJ College of Bishops.
"Regardless, we know that nothing will prevent us from our mission to
make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
Minnesota Bishop Sally Dyck also expressed her desire to move ahead.
She said, "We will be forming a joint transition team in the next couple of
weeks to begin our planning."
Bishop Deborah Kiesey of the Dakotas Area said that she hoped that all
United Methodists in the jurisdiction will support each other during this transition.
The Bishops will request an immediate grant of $40,000 from the NCJ Mission
Council to cover initial transition costs, as well as ongoing support for the
conferences forming the new episcopal area.
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