July 29, 2026
EaND News and Events | |
Fall Theological Conference
September 13-16, 2026
Fair Hills Resort, Detroit Lakes, MN
Gather with your colleagues for a time of renewal and reflection at the Eastern North Dakota Synod Fall Theological Conference at Fair Hills Resort in Detroit Lakes, MN. All rostered ministers are expected to attend this annual event, and lay ministers are welcome to attend (Synod Lay Ministers, youth directors, and other lay ministry staff).
We have a two-step registration process:
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Register here for the conference (covers event expenses). Register by August 27.
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Call Fair Hills Resort at 1-800-323-2849 by September 1 to make arrangements for your lodging and meals. Click here to download 2026 Fair Hills Lodging & Meals Options.
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"When Healing Hurts" Text Study
August 11 @ 5pm, ZOOM
Text: Matthew 15: 21-38 (Daughter Tormented by a Demon)
How do look at stories in healing in scripture? How might we consider these stories in ways that are affirming of folks with disabilities? Join the EaND Disability Ministry Team for text study when healing texts show up in our lectionary.
Click here to register.
Cost: $10 (Registration fee will provide a stipend to our text study leaders.)
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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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Fall Youth Retreat
September 25-27, 2026
Castaway Club
You are invited to join us for the Eastern North Dakota Synod Fall Youth Retreat, September 25–27, 2026! Our hope is simple: to welcome as many young people as possible for a weekend of worship, community, fun, and faith formation.
We can't wait! Together we will IMAGINE MORE, and we’ll begin leaning into this bigger story of faith, possibility, and God’s call in our lives as we ask: What might God be inviting us to imagine beyond what we can see right now?
Read this email from Pr. Kim Adams, Retreat Coordinator, to learn more.
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New Job Posting:
Director for Evangelical Mission, EaND Synod
The Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) represents the ELCA through the Christian Community and Leadership Unit (CCL) in the Eastern North Dakota and is responsible for the development of tools to support congregational vitality, which we define as, “Communities of Jesus that nurture new life-changing relationships with God, one another and the world.” The position also reflects the purposes, principles and commitments of the synod, CCL and the ELCA as a whole.
The (DEM) will collaborate and coordinate with Churchwide, synod and congregational leaders to develop strategies designed to help congregations engage their communities so that more people know the way of Jesus and discover community, justice and love.
Click here to learn more.
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Save the Date: Dacotah Oyate Open House & Building Celebration
Sunday, August 23rd, 3-6pm
Dacotah Oyate Lutheran Church
All are invited to join us in celebrating the renovations and new chapter in ministry for Dacotah Oyate!
3:00pm: Worship & Dedication
4:00-6:00pm: Reception & Open House
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Red Willow Ministries 100th Anniversary Celebration
Red Willow Bible Camp is celebrating 100 years of ministry! Generations have gathered at camp to grow in faith, build lasting relationships, and experience God in the beauty of creation. This August we celebrate all that has been and all that is to come!
Join us August 8th for a special day of gathering, storytelling, sharing memories, worship, and great food. Whether you are a past camper, staff member, supporter, or are simply curious to experience camp, this event is for you. Come celebrate, give thanks, and help “Light the Fire” for the next 100 years.
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Cancelled: Fall Planning Days
Please note that this year's Fall Planning Days have been cancelled. Please contact the Synod Office with any questions.
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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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Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust Reconsiderations
Share your feedback through a new study and survey from the ELCA Task Force on Human Sexuality Reconsiderations.
In 2022 the ELCA Churchwide Assembly invited the whole church to reconsider the social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust — specifically the section, often referred to as “bound conscience,” that allows for a diversity of views on same-sex relationships and marriage. The task force called to lead this work is happy to share a new study that leaders can use to foster conversation.
“Conscience and Conversation: A Study During the Reconsideration of the Social Statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” offers activities, discussion questions and a survey link for participants to submit feedback to the task force by Sept. 30. This feedback will help inform the draft phase of the reconsideration process.
Resources:
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ELCA Youth Gathering Volunteer Applications Now Live
Application deadline: August 19, 2026
The Gathering doesn’t happen without hundreds of people willing to serve and help it come to life. Applications s are officially open for volunteers. This is your invitation to step into something meaningful. To serve. To lead. To help create a space where thousands of young people will encounter God, community and a faith that lasts.
Whether you’re welcoming participants, assisting behind the scenes or helping bring large-scale moments to life, every volunteer plays a vital role in shaping the Gathering experience.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities and apply at this link.
Learn more about the ELCA Youth Gathering here.
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Child Abuse & The Church Webinar Series
On November 12, 2025, the ELCA Church Council adopted a Social Message on Child Protection, calling on congregations to strengthen preaching and teaching on this topic, develop robust policies, and become trauma-informed communities. You can read the full social message here: ELCA Child Protection Social Message.
Wartburg Theological Seminary, in partnership with the Center for Faith & Child Protection (a program of Zero Abuse Project), is hosting a free webinar series featuring theologians and child abuse experts. These webinars will provide practical guidance for implementing the ELCA recommendations and for living out Christ’s call to care for the “least of these.” Click here to register.
2026 Upcoming Webinars
• August 27 – Martin Luther on Child Abuse (Victor Vieth)
• September 24 – Lutheran History and Theology (Craig Nessan and Winston Persaud)
• October 22 – Luther on Mental Health to Help Survivors of Child Abuse (Stephen Saunders)
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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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