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November 13, 2024
EaND News and Events
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Endowment Sunday: November 17, 2024
Building on the success of the Vital Leaders Endowment Fund, the Eastern North Dakota Synod launched 5 additional endowment funds this year: Sustaining Fund, Resurrection Fund, Native American Ministry Fund, Holy Innovations Fund, and Campus Ministry Fund.
Congregations are encouraged to celebrate Synod Endowment Sunday on Sunday November 17th as one way to celebrate and support these new endowment funds. Consider taking a special offering or making a designated gift to one of the new endowment funds to help the synod support thriving ministry for generations to come!
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Fall Gatherings: Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Fall Gatherings. Over 140 people participated in a time of connection, study of scripture, and engagement with the synod’s Strategic Plan. Participants were invited to share what Ministry Result Area (ministry priority) they were most hopeful or excited about. While it is clear that there is excitement for all areas, “flourishing as a vital church into the future” was the top pick.
We are so grateful for the many members of the Body of Christ here in the Eastern North Dakota Synod of the ELCA. Thank you to our ministry hosts and participants!
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Advocacy from a Lutheran Perspective
December 3, 6pm (Zoom)
The EaND Synod Advocacy & Action Team is excited to share their upcoming Lutheran Advocacy Series. The first event, "Advocacy from a Lutheran Perspective," will take place on Tuesday, December 3 via Zoom at 6pm.
What is advocacy and how do we understand advocacy as people of faith? Join the EaND Advocacy & Action team, along with ELCA Advocacy staff for an introduction to advocacy from a Lutheran perspective as we look to the 2025 ND legislative session.
Learn more at this link.
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Compensation Guidelines Committee
This is the time of the year when the Compensation Guidelines Committee begins preparing recommendations for the review by the Synod Council and eventual presentation to the Synod Assembly in June. The core of the committee includes a pastor, a deacon, and a lay leader. The committee consults with additional resource people as needed. Each year the committee reviews compensation guidelines from neighboring synods for comparison. The staff liaison for the Compensation Guidelines Committee is Pr. Brad Skogen, Associate with the Bishop.
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Technology Use Survey
As we seek to live into our goal of increasing connection throughout the synod, we are working to assess current technology use and identify barriers, needs, and challenges for congregations and ministries in accessing and utilizing technology. Each congregation/ministry is invited to fill out the Technology Use and Needs survey at this link. Please complete one survey for each congregation or ministry site.
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"Kids These Days" Event Recording Now Available
Did you miss the Vital Conversations event earlier this month? The recording of "Kids These Days: Accompanying Young People in a Changing World" is now available. To access the recording, click this link and register for the Zoom option of the event, and the recording will be emailed to you.
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Synod Devotional Resource
We are excited to share a synod-wide devotional resource available for download! "Living our Baptism: The Marks of Discipleship" is a monthly devotional resource and reflection guide created especially for councils and ministry teams in Eastern North Dakota.
Download the devotional here.
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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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Together we respond to God’s provision by sharing of our financial gifts, both as an act of worship and in support of our mission and ministry as Christ’s Church. Our shared gifts support ministry of our congregations, in our community, across the Eastern North Dakota Synod, throughout the ELCA, and around the globe. Today we recognize:
Over 16,000 youth gathered in July in New Orleans for learning, worship, and service as part of the ELCA Youth Gathering.
Share "Offering Connections" in your worship bulletin or congregational newsletters! Download the Offering Connections Document: PDF or Word
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Dacotah O'yate Kids Christmas Project
See the graphic below for information about this year's Dacotah O'yate Christmas Project. If you would like tags, please contact Pr. JoHanna Buccholz at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Devils Lake.
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The Neighborhood Church Benefit Night
You are invited to the 2nd Annual "Love Your Neighbor Benefit Night for The Neighborhood Church" on on Monday, November 18, 6:30-8 p.m. It will be an evening of music, desserts, and generosity featuring a mini-concert by Nashville recording artist, Gina Powers. All proceeds will support The Neighborhood Church's ministry of sharing food and engaging youth and families. Reserve your seat at this link.
Download bulletin inserts here.
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Post-Election Message from Bishop Eaton
Bishop Eaton reflects on the many expressions of our church being woven together as strands of a large tapestry, even as individually people are experiencing joy or grief. She reminds us that regardless of who is elected president or to other leadership positions in our country, our call to be Christ in the world doesn’t change. “As we're moving through these next years, no matter what happens and what befalls … imagine all of us woven together and in Christ, and we will continue to serve the gospel and to serve the world.”
Watch the video message here.
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Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Workshop - Register soon!
November 21, 2024 + Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck
Rev. Bill Rindy will be leading a Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Workshop on November 21 in Bismarck. Prepare/Enrich is a premarital and marriage assessment tool. Learn more about Prepare/Enrich at this link.
Click here to learn more about this training and to register.
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Campus Ministry Impact Report
The ELCA Campus Ministry Impact Report is now available to download. Each summer, ELCA Campus Ministry conducts a survey of campus ministry staff to learn about how our network is sharing the gospel on university campuses across the nation. This year's impact report shares facts and figures about our work, narrative stories about our impact, and our network goals for the 2024-2025 school year.
Click here to download the report.
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ELCA Truth & Healing Movement Programming
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November 18 & 19: Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium
Click here for class descriptions and more information about the Truth & Healing Movement. No pre-registration required for these events; simply click "Join Class."
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ELCA World Hunger Advent Resources
ELCA World Hunger has a 2024 Advent calendar and Advent study available for download. Find these resources and more at this link.
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Advent Devotional from Luther Seminary
Luther Seminary invites you to use the 2024 Advent devotional, “Joy of Heaven, Here on Earth” for personal or congregational use this Advent. Learn more and download the devotional at this link
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Faith + Lead Discernment Course
Faith + Lead is offering a new, free online course called "Discerning: Exploring God's Call to Ministry." This course is designed for anyone contemplating a path in ministry, whether in an ordained capacity or as a dedicated volunteer. Click here to learn more.
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Online Class: Understanding Who "Guadalupe" Is
The Virgin Guadalupe and Lutherans - Latine Perspective
Centro Teologico Luterano Multicultural (through Wartburg Theological Seminary) is offering an online class called "Understanding who Guadalupe Is" on November 16 from 9am-12pm CST. Download the flyer here or click here to learn more and register.
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Lutheran Men in Mission
Ambassador-Gram
The Fall 2024 Lutheran Men in Mission newsletter is now available. Download the PDF here or click here to view an online version. You can learn more about Lutheran Men in Mission at this link.
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Beloved Art and Practice Virtual Advent Retreat
Dn. Michelle Walka, Director of Beloved Art and Practice, will be hosting a virtual Advent retreat in December. Through this year's theme of “A Pilgrim’s Journey” we will explore a posture of holy wandering through prayer, reflection and creative practice. In the midst of what can be a “busy” season, this space is an invitation to gently dwell as a whole person (in mind, body, and spirit). You do not need any special art skills for this time. An optional & simple supply list will be provided. Learn more and register at this link or download this flyer.
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Nominate Students for Lutheran Summer Music 2025
You’re invited to nominate a student for LSM 2025! Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is a faith-based residential music academy for high school students (grades 8-12) who come together from all over the country to immerse themselves in musical excellence and build an intentional, supportive, and FUN community. LSM 2025 takes place at Valparaiso University in Indiana from June 22-July 20 (Full Session) or June 22-July 6 (Half Session). Priority Enrollment is open now through December 1. Nominate students at LSMacademy.org/nominate, and watch and share this LSM Experience Video to learn more!
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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: by appointment
Tuesday: 9am-4pm
Wednesday: 9am-4pm
Thursday: by appointment
Friday: 9am-4pm
The physical office is only open by appointment on Mondays and Thursdays; however, the phone will be answered between 1pm-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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