August 12, 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).
This year's speaker will be Dr. Michael Chan, and theme is "Deuteronomy: Remembering Our Way into Hope."
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.
This information is also available on our website.
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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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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?
Learn more at this link! (NEW)
Register here!
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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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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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New Job Posting: Campus Pastor & Faith Formation Director,
Oak Grove Lutheran School
The Campus Pastor & Director of Faith Formation provides leadership for the spiritual life of Oak Grove Lutheran School. Working collaboratively with the President, principals, faculty, staff, families, and congregational partners, this leader helps cultivate a Christ-centered community in which faith formation occurs throughout every aspect of school life. This position reports directly to the President through a synodical call from the Eastern North Dakota Synod. Through leadership in worship, Christian Studies, pastoral ministry, Christian service, and spiritual formation, the Campus Pastor helps ensure that every dimension of the Oak Grove experience contributes to the flourishing of students, employees, and families. Download the position description to learn more.
See more job postings on our website.
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Card for Deacon Laura
If you haven't yet had the opportunity, please sign this virtual card wishing Deacon Laura well as she transitions to a new call in the Southwestern Washington Synod. The card will remain open to sign until August 15.
You can read the Quick Connect sharing this staffing information at this link.
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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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Western ND Synod Bishop Installation
We celebrate with our siblings in Christ in the Western North Dakota Synod as they prepare for the installation of their new bishop, Rev. Lisa Lewton!
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From the Office of the Presiding Bishop
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2027 ELCA Youth Gathering Planning Information
The ELCA has a variety of resources available to help you plan for next summer's Youth & Young Adult Gathering. Click here to explore resources, including gNews, the Academy, helpful social media accounts to follow, regional representative contact information, and more.
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LEAD Connects Program Offerings
LEAD Connects is a Christian nonprofit whose focus is turning faithful listening to our neighbors into insight, connection, and action. They have a number of offerings for congregations and leaders this fall, including:
Follow the links above to learn more about each program, or download this PDF with descriptions of all four.
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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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LMM Ambassador-Gram
The Summer 2026 Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador-Gram is now available. You can check it out online or download this PDF.
Learn more about Lutheran Men in Mission at this link.
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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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