Minnesota ‘Wisdom Council’ lifts all voices

By Lilla Marigza
March 13, 2026 | MINNEAPOLIS (UM News)

Members of the Minnesota Conference Wisdom Council meet regularly with conference leadership to discuss items on the liturgical calendar. The Wisdom Council is a panel designed to make sure historically underrepresented people have a say in the work of the Minnesota Conference. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Bishop Lanette Plambeck says she saw an opportunity for “transformational leadership through deep listening” to inform the work of her episcopal areas in Minnesota and the Dakotas. UM News reporter Lilla Marigza takes us inside a meeting with the “Wisdom Council,” a group of people who bring viewpoints from historically underrepresented voices.

The council reflects many points of intersection and diversity, including licensed local pastors, deacons, elders, Asian American Pacific Islanders, African Americans, persons with disabilities and the LGBTQ community. The group meets monthly with Appointive Cabinet to shape the work of the Minnesota Conference.

Watch video

Marigza is a multimedia producer for UM News. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

Annual Conferences

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has stopped a lawsuit by 33 United Methodist congregations over property. In the meantime, the West Virginia Conference says it remains committed to supporting the churches. Photo by J. Alex Wilson, courtesy of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

State supreme court blocks church-property suit

The West Virginia Supreme Court stopped a lawsuit by 33 United Methodist congregations over property. In the meantime, the West Virginia Conference says it remains committed to supporting the churches.

General Church

A view of the sanctuary at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. Highland Park’s church council is recommending its members vote to sever ties with The United Methodist Church in the wake of a civil lawsuit filed by the Horizon Texas Conference. Voting will take place Oct. 25-26 at the church. Photo courtesy of Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Emotions high as Highland Park vote looms

Leaders at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas are hoping to lead their congregation away from The United Methodist Church and have set up a vote on the issue for Oct. 25-26.

General Church

The Baltimore-Washington Conference Center stands in Fulton, Maryland. An appellate court ruled in favor of the conference in a suit filed by 37 churches seeking to leave The United Methodist Church with property. Photo courtesy of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

Trust clause sees big win in Maryland court

An appellate court ruled in favor of the Baltimore-Washington Conference in a suit filed by 37 churches seeking to leave The United Methodist Church with property. The opinion could influence other cases winding their way through civil courts.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!