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October 30, 2024
EaND News and Events
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EaND Synod Fall Gatherings
Bishop Tessa encourages all congregations to invite at least 4 people attend our Fall Gatherings. This annual event is one way for those across the synod to be connected, which is a goal in our strategic plan. Join Bishop Tessa and other synod staff for a time of prayer, fellowship, and mutual learning!
You can also view the schedule and download bulletin inserts on our website.
DATES & LOCATIONS
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Prairie Rose Conference: November 2, 9am-11am, Red Willow Ministries
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Spirit Lake Conference: November 2, 1pm-3pm, St. Olaf Lutheran, Devils Lake
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Grafton Conference: November 2, 4:30pm-6:30pm, Park River Bible Camp
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Grand Forks Conference: November 3, 1pm-3pm, Augustana Lutheran, Grand Forks
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Mayville Conference: November 3, 4:30pm-6:30pm, Mayville Lutheran Church
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Fargo Conference: November 7, 6:30pm-8:30pm, St. John Lutheran, Fargo
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Wahpeton Conference: November 9, 10am-12pm,Trinity Lutheran, Lisbon
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Jamestown Conference: November 9, 2pm-4pm, St. John's Lutheran, Jamestown
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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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Lutheran Advocacy Series
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 December 4 via Zoom (time TBD.)
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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New Devotional Resource
We are excited to share a synod-wide devotional resource now 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:
25 Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) served in 5 countries in the 2023-2024 program year.
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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ELCA Civic Engagement & Election Resources
The ELCA has put together several resources to equip individuals and faith communicates to navigate this election cycle and to engage in the electoral process. Click on the resources below to learn more.
Click here for additional resources.
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Hurricane Relief Through LDR
Click here to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton through Lutheran Disaster Response.
These storms have devastated communities across the southeastern United States. Your gifts help provide immediate relief, such as water, clothing, gift cards, tarps and other needs.
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Women in Ministry and Money
Webinar Series w/ Dr. Crystal Hall
November 4-8, 2024; 11am-12pm CST
Women in ministry are invited to participate in this upcoming webinar series with Dr. Crystal Hall. In the thick of stewardship season it’s easy for money to feel icky, like a necessary evil or out of your control, especially when it comes to the church budget and your own finances. But it’s more than possible to cultivate confidence with money. This 5-day series is going to change your relationship with money as a woman in ministry for the better.
Learn more and register at this link.
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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 10, 7-8:30pm CST: "Toward Truth & Healing: How Churches Face Accountability for Their Indian Boarding Schools"
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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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Dietrich Bonhoeffer Webinar Series
November 7, 4:00-5:30pm
You are invited to participate in the upcoming webinar as part of the series Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Voices of Faith and Resistance in Times of Turmoil featuring Dr. Reggie Williams. This webinar is sponsored by the Dovre Centre for Faith & Learning at Concordia College. Learn more at this link.
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Grief During the Holidays Gathering
First Lutheran Church (Adult Ed. Room)
Wednesday, November 6 + 11:30-1:00pm
Managing grief during the holiday season can be overwhelming. This gathering will enable people to identify and learn how to manage emotions that can surface when grieving during the holidays. Anyone is welcome to attend this FREE event and a light lunch will be provided. No registration required. Click here to view the Facebook event page.
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ELCA World Hunger Celebration Recording
If you missed the ELCA World Hunger 50th Anniversary Celebration webinar, you can watch it at this link. Hear about the difference ELCA World Hunger makes through stories from partner organizations; special music from singer-songwriter and lifelong Lutheran Peter Mayer; a World Food Day message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton; reflections and conversation from the Rev. Amy Current, bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, and Imran Siddiqui, vice president of the ELCA; and more!
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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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Pivot Podcast: Innovative Church Fundraising Ideas
Explore innovative church fundraising ideas in this inspiring episode of the Pivot Podcast. Hosts Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton sit down with Grace Pomroy, director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Luther Seminary and author of “Funding Forward,” and Pastor Christina Ennin from First Presbyterian Church in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Discover how churches can transform underutilized assets into sustainable income sources while deepening community connections.
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Funding Forward Webinar
November 12, 2024 + 12pm-1pm CST
Church finances can feel daunting, especially as many congregations face declines in worship, attendance, and giving. But there’s another way forward—a more sustainable and joyful way. Join Faith+Lead for Funding Forward: Finding Hope and Sustainability Together to be empowered with the resources you need to fund your ministry well into the future. This timely event builds on Grace Pomroy's recent book, Funding Forward, offering real-world stories and practical insights for congregations seeking a new way to approach their church’s finances. Click here to learn more.
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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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Fellowship Opportunity: The Seeds Project
Registration Deadline: October 31, 2042
The Seeds Project is a 10-month, fully funded fellowship for leaders who are passionate about the Gospel, eager to grow, and creative in their approach to developing new ways of being church in a changing world. Apply by October 31, 2024 to join this training network through Faith+Lead. Click here to learn more.
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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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Used Church Furnishings to Give Away
St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Fargo is renting worship space and is no longer in need of the following items: brass altar cross; brass altar Bible stand; 2 hymnal boards, 8ft. wide altar and a smaller altar; pulpit; and a hanging eternal light fixture. Please get in touch with the church office at 701.235.5591 if interested. Photos of these items are available on the EaND website (scroll down to "Classifieds").
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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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