November 8, 2023

EaND News and Events

Exploring Acts: Synod-wide Book Study

Join your siblings in Christ from all around the Eastern ND Synod in a synod-wide Scripture read! Together, we will dwell in the words and stories of the book of Acts throughout January & February 2024. Each day, you are encouraged to read one chapter of Acts, and every Sunday afternoon we will gather via Zoom for conversation with Dr. Eric Barreto, Professor of New Testament at Princeton Seminary. This event kicks off with an introductory Zoom session on January 7, and our reading schedule begins January 8. We hope you'll consider joining us! 

Click here for more information, including a printable reading schedule and bulletin inserts.

Fall Vital Church Modules

Vital Church: Models for Ministry Introduction

Sunday, November 12, 2023

2-5pm, Zoom

Cost: $10

Registration Deadline: November 10

Both the church and the world look different today than they did 5, 10, 20, or even 50 years ago! What needs to be adjusted for the sake of a vital and sustainable witness? How might we shape and adapt how we do church to fit who we are today? Join us as we explore these questions and more. Click here to register.

Note: Your congregation can register for this Zoom event and have a group participate in person together. Our hope is this topic might invite further congregational conversation!

January Boundaries Training

The December boundaries training has reached capacity, and registration is now closed. However, this training will be offered again in January!

Power & Boundaries Workshop

January 23, 2024

9am-12:00pm, Zoom

Join us for a Boundaries Training on January 23 from 9am-12pm via Zoom. Bishop Tessa will be present at this training to share information specific to our synod.

Registration link coming soon!

Church Council Presidents' Network

Next Meeting: November 19



Council Presidents are invited to join Bishop Tessa for a listening and sharing session each month on the third Sunday at 7:00pm on Zoom.

Follow this Zoom Link to join.

Synod Devotional Resource

We are excited to share with you a free, synod-wide devotional series! "And You Shall Be My Witnesses: Holy Wisdom and the Church Today" is a resource created specifically with Eastern ND church councils and ministry teams in mind. We invite you to gather as community, read Scripture and the corresponding reflections, and spend time asking yourselves and each other what these sacred texts might have to say to the church today. There is a form available on the synod website to share your reflections with us.

Download the devotional booklet here!

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.

Other News and Events

Empower: Women in Ministry Gathering

with special speaker Rozella Haydee White

Date: August 6-8, 2024

Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Sioux Falls, SD

Registration Cost: Free!

Download this flyer for more information! Registration opens in January.

New Videos from Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service

LIRS has released a series of new videos featuring refugees and community partners in Fargo! Check them out at the links below:



• Receiving Angels: The Circle of Welcome
• Flourishing in Fargo
• Growing Community: Fargo Refugee Agricultural Program
• Mental Health and Soccer

ELCA Truth & Healing Movement News

Upcoming Events:

Presentation: Land Acknowledgement & Land Back Movement

November 9

7-8pm CST

Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium

November 13-14

Day of Mourning

November 23

Presentation: Settler Narrative (Rescheduled)

November 28, 2023

7-8pm CST

Class: Indigenous Thought & Theology

November 30

7-9pm CST

No pre-registration is required for these events. Visit the ELCA Truth & Healing webpage for course descriptions and to join classes. Be sure to check out the recordings of some of the previous events on the Truth & Healing Commission's YouTube playlist.

Feedback Requested: ELCA Social Statement on Gun-Related Violence and Trauma

The ELCA is currently working on a social message about gun-related violence and trauma. A draft of this message is now available for public feedback. Visit this link to download the message draft and to share your affirmations, concerns, and suggestions. Feedback is due by January 31, 2024, and the draft will be reviews by the Church Council in March 2024.

ELCA World Hunger Advent & Lent Devotionals

New resources are now available from ELCA World Hunger to enrich the life of your congregation in Advent 2023 and Lent 2024.

The theme for their new seasonal materials is "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed.” Where and how do you encounter God? Through the prophet Isaiah, God urges us to take comfort, trusting that “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5).

Materials are available to download or order at elca.org/hunger/resources.

Contact Us

• Deacon Laura Carson, Associate with the Bishop for Formation and Administration
• Pastor Brad Skogen, Associate with the Bishop for Congregational Leadership and Transitions
• Deacon Erin Power, Director for Evangelical Mission
• Sharla Laugisch, Administrative Assistant
• Alex Benson-Tuff, Connections Coordinator
• Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth

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, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Friday, 9:00am - 1:00pm