October 25, 2023

EaND News and Events

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!

December Boundaries Training

Rostered Ministers and Synod Lay Ministers are expected to participate in a Boundaries Training every three years. The Southeastern Minnesota Synod has invited our synod to partner with them in an upcoming Power & Boundaries Workshop on December 14. Learn more and register here.

Power & Boundaries Workshop

December 14, 2023

9am-12pm, Zoom

Cost: $50

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!

Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders

Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders (TEIL) was launched in early October. This is partnership with Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and ELCA Director for Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations. We give thanks for Pastor Larry Theile and his leadership in this initiative. We celebrate the 4 leaders from Eastern North Dakota Synod who are participating this week from Dacotah Oyate and The Way.

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.

Update: Dacotah Oyate Kids Christmas Project

Dear EaND Synod,

All of the tags for the Dacotah O'yate Kids Christmas Project have been taken. Please have your items sent to St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake by Friday, December 1st. If you have questions or need help, please contact Kelly Longden at 701-662-4911 or [email protected] and he can assist you.

Thank you for your work and support of this ministry.

Your friends in Christ,

Spirit Lake Conference

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

Congregational Treasurer's Training

The Southeastern Synod is hosting a free training for congregational Treasurers and Financial Chairs led by ELCA Treasurer Lori Fedyk. She will be going over best practices, what to do and not to do, and important and healthy habits. Members of the Eastern ND Synod are invited to join this training! Register here.

ELCA Truth & Healing Commission News

Upcoming Events:

Class: Indigenous Thought & Theology

October 31

10am-12pm CST

Land Acknowledgement and Land Back Movement

November 9

7-8pm CST

Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium

November 13-14

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.

Embody Series with Dr. Crystal Hall



Annoyed you’re being called “honey” instead of Pastor? Or resentful insurance policies and giving units seem more important than the gospel? Or leaving council meetings on the verge of tears because the mission of the church feels lost?

Join this series to realign your integrity with the realities of church work. You’ll walk away with powerful concepts, coaching tools you can apply right away, and a path forward to create a life-giving ministry.

Join Dr. Crystal Hall for Embody: Lead Powerfully as A Woman in Ministry, a webinar series on Thursdays at 10 AM CST October 19, October 26, November 2, November 9, and November 16. Each week will reflect on a chapter of The Rev. Dr. Karoline M. Lewis’ Embody: Five Keys to Leading with Integrity. Click here to register.

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.

Youth Gathering Volunteers

Interested in volunteering at the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans? The application deadline has been extended until November 1! Volunteer categories include Gathering Volunteer Corps, servant companions, MYLE and tAble volunteers, and Young Adult Gathering volunteers. Learn more here.

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