June 17, 2026
EaND News and Events | |
Synod Assembly & Bishop Election
Thank you for joining us for Synod Assembly 2026! An email with a a summary and resources from Synod Assembly will be sent out soon. In the meantime, be sure to check out photos from Synod Assembly on our Facebook page!
At the 2026 EaND Synod Assembly, Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth was re-elected to a second six-year term as bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod. Read the ELCA Press Release here.
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We're Hiring: Office Administrator
The Eastern ND Synod is seeking to hire an Office Administrator. The Office Administrator for the Eastern North Dakota Synod is a key member of the synod staff who provides administrative excellence and hospitality in order to lead and manage core functions, including office hospitality, data and roster (pastors and deacons) management, office operations, governance, and support to the bishop. Interested applicants should email Pastor Brad Skogen, Associate with the Bishop, (pastorbrad@eandsynod.org) with a resume and cover letter.
Download the position description here.
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Intro to Sermon Writing for Lay Preachers
Monday, June 29th, 6pm CST
ZOOM
Wondering how to even begin writing a sermon? Have you started preaching but looking for more equipping? Join us for an introduction to the sermon preparation process to support your ministry.
Looking ahead: A full day preaching session will be offered in the fall!
Click here for the Zoom link. This information is also available on our website.
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Disaster Capacity Building Lunch & Learn Series
Tuesdays at Noon
June 30 - July 28
Disasters impact every community—and preparation, response, and recovery are strongest when we learn and work together. Our congregations have so much to gain and to offer in this shared work! The Disaster Capacity Building Lunch and Learn Series is designed to equip congregations, leaders, and community members with knowledge, tools, and relationships to better serve their neighbors before, during, and after times of crisis.
June 30: Creating a Network of Care
July 7: Food Security across ND
July 14: The Role of Volunteers and Congregations
July 21: Suicide Prevention with the VA
July 28: Understanding Our Immigrant Neighbors
Click here for more information and descriptions of each week's topic.
Lunch & Learns are free, but registration is required. Click here to register.
Questions? Please contact Jen Engquist, Disaster Capacity Builder: jen@wndsynod.org
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Fall Planning Days
Need a conversation partner to brainstorm stewardship, confirmation, or worship?
Need a place away for you or your team to do some fall planning? Join one or more days. RSVP early to ensure resources and people related to your topic are present!
St. Olaf Retreat Center, Devils Lake
Friday, August 14 & Saturday, August 15
Optional overnight - No cost and meals/snacks provided!
Our Savior’s Valley City
Sunday, August 16 & Monday August 17
No cost and meals/snacks provided!
Click here to register.
Questions? Please contact Dn. Erin Power: deaconerin@eandsynod.org
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Youth Writers Needed!
The 2026 Council Devotions will follow the ELCA Youth Gathering Theme: Imagine More. We are looking for youth and young adults to contribute to this series (paid!) If you or someone you know might be interested in this opportunity, please contact Dn. Erin Power: deaconerin@eandsynod.org.
Council Devotions will be available mid-August.
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Book Club Resources
Eight copies of The Man in the Dog Park: Coming Up Close to Homelessness by Cathy A. Small, Jason Kordosky, and Ross Moore and Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson are available for congregational use. Contact the synod office to borrow.
Books are sponsored by the EaND Advocacy & Action Team.
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Synod Prayer Labyrinth
Did you know the synod has a prayer labyrinth that can be checked out for congregational/ministry use? This canvas labyrinth is 24 ft x 24 ft.
If you are interested in checking out the labyrinth, please contact the synod office: 701-232-3381 or office@eandsynod.org.
You can see photos and elarn more about how to use a prayer labyrinth on our website.
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Summer Worship Resource:
Grace Upon Grace
Grace upon Grace offers 10 weeks of scripture, conversation, and activity that can be used during your sermon time. A great option for lay led worship services!
Deacon Erin is available to help plan and implement.
Click here to view Grace Upon Grace resources.
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Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering
The EaND Synod WELCA are organizing a bus to drive to Des Moines for 2026 Triennial Gathering “I am worthy”, for July 16-19, 2026. You can contact Jeanne Wobbema at 702-230-8745 or at mrswob@gmail.com.
The Women of the ELCA (WELCA) Triennial Gathering will take place July 16-19, 2026 in Des Moines, IA.
Click here to read about this year's theme, see a list of speakers, browse this year's workshops, and more!
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Save the Date: Dacotah Oyate Open House & Building Celebration
Saturday, August 22nd, 3-6pm
Dacotah Oyate Lutheran Church
All are invited to join us in celebrating the renovations and new chapter in ministry for Dacotah Oyate!
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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
Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry has issued his first in a series of monthly messages that will continue through the end of this year under the title "All Together in One Place. Each message will share a pastoral word, rooted in Scripture, that witnesses to God’s presence today, our rich theological tradition and the social teaching that connects us.
Read the message here.
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Domestic Hunger Grants
Applications for ELCA World Hunger’s 2027 Domestic Hunger Grants are open! To learn more about submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), grant partnership eligibility, and our granting priorities, please visit our website and FAQ page.
Download the Application Guide.
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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
• June 18 – Becoming a Trauma-Informed Church (Laura Thein)
• 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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Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts
July 20-22, 2026
St. Olaf College
The Lutheran Center for Faith, Values and Community and the Nourishing Vocation Projects at St. Olaf College would like to invite you to this year’s Conference on Worship, Theology and the Arts: Nourishing Vocation: Every Time, Every Age, Every Place, which takes place in July 2026 at St. Olaf College. The conference will combine signature CWTA musical experiences with innovative and imaginative work being done by both the Nourishing Vocation Project and Nourishing Vocation with Children, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Char Rachuy Cox.
Learn more and register at this link.
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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; phones answered between 1-4pm
Tuesday: 9am-4pm
Wednesday: 9am-4pm
Thursday: by appointment; phones answered between 1-4pm
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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