October 7, 2026
EaND News and Events | Every item in this newsletter is tagged with the corresponding goal or ministry area from our Synod Strategic Plan, showing how our shared work directly supports our mission in action. | |
Lay Preaching Session
Saturday, October 17
10am - 4pm
Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church, Northwood
Join Dr. Karoline Lewis, professor or Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary for a full day course for current and new lay preachers. Attend as part of your Synod Lay Minister training or just for additional learning!
Click here to register!
In-person: $20
ZOOM: $15
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Inspiring the Called: Vision and Guidance for Mentors
It doesn't matter if you're an ordained pastor, a music leader or a Sunday School teacher. When you share your gifts, experience, and faith, you naturally guide, encourage, and equip others to walk in their own calling. This retreat is designed to offer vision, practical wisdom, and intentional practices to help you strengthen these mentorship dynamics in your daily ministry.
Thursday, October 22 | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Zion Lutheran Church | 933 171st Ave SE, Harwood, ND 58042
Cost: $15 (covers lunch)
REGISTER HERE.
Keynote Speaker: Pastor Steve Peterson of The Moses Project
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In God’s Grace: Funeral Training for Lay People
Saturday, Oct 24 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Bruflat Lutheran Church (1023 Parke Ave, Portland, ND)
Pastors in the Mayville Conference are gathering a lay cohort to help with local funeral coverage. Join us for a free one-day ELCA workshop on funeral guidelines, service planning, preaching, and supporting grieving families.
Cost: Free (Lunch included)
RSVP: By October 20 to Pr. Penny Millspaugh at 218-521-0507 (call/text). Please note any food allergies when registering.
Help us spread the word! Please share our Facebook post with friends, congregation members, and anyone in the Eastern North Dakota area who may be interested in this ministry.
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Safer Together: Beyond the Gun Control Debate
A Conversation Across the ELCA in MN & ND
Join us at various locations October 27, 2026 at 6:00 PM for a live stream presentation and local discussion featuring Dr. Jillian Peterson (Professor of Criminology, Hamline University; Executive Director, The Violence Prevention Project). Dr. Peterson will share research on mass shootings as a public health issue. Together, we’ll reflect on the ELCA Social Message and discuss how gun violence affects our local community.
Jamestown
Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, 523 4th Ave SE, Jamestown, ND
Moorhead
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 4000 28th St S, Moorhead, MN
Grand Forks
Calvary Lutheran Church, 1405 S 9th St, Grand Forks, N
All lay leaders, rostered ministers, and community members are welcome as we seek collective action, communal healing, and the common good. REGISTER HERE.
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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS - CONCORDIA COLLEGE CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
Fri, Dec 4 at 7:30pm
Sat, Dec 5 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sun, Dec 6 at 2:00pm
Bring a group from your congregation!
Tickets go on sale October 27. Learn more here.
| Count your blessings this fall! The Eastern ND Synod WELCA reminds you that Thankoffering is coming in November. 100% of gifts support churchwide WELCA ministries, grants, scholarships, & resources for local groups. Give at home, in church, or online. Check in with the WELCA ladies in your congregation! | |
Park River Bible Camp Quilt Auction
Sunday, Nov. 1 | Bidding Starts Promptly at 1:30 PM
Join us for a cozy day at Park River Bible Camp! Enjoy soup, sandwiches, homemade bars, and fresh coffee while bidding on donated quilts, table runners, woodworking, crafts, and silent auction items.
To Donate: Items are still being accepted! Contact the camp at 701-284-6795.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already donated their time, talent, and items to support this ministry!
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VOTE NOVEMBER 3.
Democracy needs people who show up for it.
This week, take your civic action one step further. Sign up as a poll worker, poll chaplain, peacekeeper, or nonpartisan election volunteer. Can’t serve? Invite 3 people who can.
Serve your community. Strengthen democracy. Help people vote.
See more at vote411.org/lwvnd
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SAVE THE DATE:
Eastern North Dakota Synod Professional Development Series
Boundaries Training
The Eastern North Dakota Synod invites leaders across our network to save the date for an upcoming professional development opportunity focused on healthy boundaries in ministry.
Thursday, November 5, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Horace Lutheran Church.
with Kendra Stea, MS, NCC — Director of Misconduct Prevention, ELCA Churchwide
Participation Guidelines
• Rostered Ministers: Attendance fulfills your mandatory 3-year boundary training renewal requirement.
• Synod Lay Ministers & Synod Authorized Ministers: Participation is optional, but strongly recommended as a tool for your ongoing leadership.
Online registration will open soon. Please watch your email and upcoming synod communications for the link to sign up.
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SAVE THE DATE:
Region 3 Candidacy: Discerning Your Call.
Wondering what's next?
Wondering if God is calling you to something different?
Wondering if there's "something more"?
Explore these and other questions in the context of our faith, with other wonderers through storytelling, introspection, and studying of Scripture. Join us via Zoom, November 7 from 10:00am - 11:30am. Registration will be open October 13 - October 30. Read more here.
| Job Postings: Visit our website. (Please email the Synod office to add your congregation's newest openings.) | |
Call Process
Please pray for congregations and rostered ministers in the call process. You can find a list of congregations currently in the call process on our website.
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From the Office of the Presiding Bishop
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Phone: 701.232.3381
Physical Address: 1555 43rd St S, Suite 100, Fargo, ND 58103
Mailing Address: PO Box 2019 Fargo, ND 58107
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9am-4pm
We are a Reconciling in Christ Synod.
We, as the Eastern North Dakota Synod ELCA, welcome all into the fullness of God's boundless love, without exception. This welcome is inclusive of people of every race, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, physical or mental ability, sex, or station in life. United in Christ, we pledge to use and celebrate our differences as gifts for our work together in all things, including racial equity, intentional invitations, and radical hospitality. Inspired by Christ, we commit to advocate for justice, working for dignity, equity, and wholeness for all people.
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