August 26, 2026
EaND News and Events | |
Fall Theological Conference - REGISTRATION CLOSING SOON!
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." Additionally, Deacon Beth Anderson will be our event chaplain. You can learn more about Dr. Michael Chan and Dn. Beth Anderson in the document below.
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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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!
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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Fall EaND Synodical Women of the ELCA Convention
September 26, 2026
Zion Lutheran Church, Kulm
Register by September 13.
There are 3 ways to register:
- Click here to register online.
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Email Jeanne Wobema: mrswob@gmail.com
- Call Jeanne Wobema: 701-230-8745
There is a $15 cost for lunch, payable at the door.
Click here for more information about this event!
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Safer Together: Beyond the Gun Control Debate
A Conversation Among the People and Congregations of the ELCA in Minnesota and North Dakota
“Christian love builds powerful relations of giving and receiving that counter the isolation, despair, enmity, and nihilism that often contribute to lethal harm and criminal homicide.”
– ELCA Social Message on Gun Related Violence and Trauma
Save the Date: October 27, 2026
On the evening of October 27th, lay leaders and rostered ministers in our region are invited to attend a presentation and conversation with Dr. Jillian Pederson, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Hamline University and the Executive Director of The Violence Prevention Project. Dr. Pederson will reflect on her research into mass shootings as a public health concern. Following her presentation, participants will discuss the ELCA’s Social Message on Gun Related Violence and Trauma and the unique ways their own communities are impacted by gun violence.
This event will be available in person at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead and livestreamed for synods and congregations who may choose to organize local gatherings. Stay tuned for more information on a livestreaming and discussion site in the Eastern North Dakota Synod.
We hope that this event can be part of a movement across our region for moral deliberation and collective action that will reduce gun violence in our communities and contribute to communal healing and the common good. We hope you will join us.
Download this document to learn more.
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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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Death of Kenneth Gumke
Almighty God, source of all mercy and giver of comfort, graciously tend those who mourn, that, casting all their sorrow on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (ELW, p 281)
Ken Gumke died on August 17, 2026. He was the spouse of synod lay minister and former synod vice president & synod staff member Shar Gumke. You can read his obituary at this link.
Memorial Service: 10:30 AM Friday, August 28, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, with Pastor Erik Weber, officiating.
Prayer Service: 7:00 PM Thursday, August 27, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jamestown, with visitation beginning at 6:00 PM.
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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
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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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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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Older Adults Resource Fair
October 2, 2026
10am - 2pm
First Lutheran Church, Fargo
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Rural Aging Action Network is sponsoring an Older Adults Resource Fair Thursday, October 2 from 10am - 2pm at First Lutheran Church in Fargo. This free collaborative community event focuses on connecting older adults, caregivers, providers, and community organizations to valuable aging and caregiver resources. The event includes resource vendors, networking opportunities, and an interactive Caring with Confidence: Tools and Support for Caregivers workshop.
Learn more at this link or by downloading this flyer.
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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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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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Converging 2026: Sing Through It!
October 7-10, 2026
Louisville, KY
Converging 2026 is a conference hosted by the Convergence Music Project, a rapidly growing online source of new music for congregational singing that congregations and denominations committed to justice, compassion for the poor, inclusive language, creation care, LBGTQ+ affirmation, and expansive theology can trust.
About the conference: Converging is a gathering of progressive Christian musicians, worship directors, leaders, clergy, songwriters, and artists who embrace a more “just and generous” understanding of the Gospel. There will be keynotes, song sharing, feedback, co-writing, and networking. The conference theme is Sing Through It! and we’ll be focusing on finding, sharing, and creating the songs we need to help individuals and communities “sing through” difficult and challenging times.
Download this poster.
Learn more 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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New Free Sheet Music from Lutheran Summer Music
Download Kingsfold, a new set of theme-and-variations for solo instrument and keyboard by Anne Krentz Organ. The third offering in the LSM Hymn Tune Project, Kingsfold is based on the beloved English folk tune associated with a wide range of hymn texts. Available for a variety of solo instruments and keyboard, the work may be performed in its entirety or as individual movements.
Preview and download for free at LSMacademy.org/lsmpress
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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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