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May 21, 2025
EaND News and Events
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Staffing Update: Director of Generosity
The Eastern North Dakota Synod is thrilled to share that Lacey Kraft has joined the team as a part-time Director of Generosity. Lacey has over a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising and church stewardship.
Lacey is humbled and excited to join the Synod team. In the role of Director of Generosity, Lacey is providing expertise and execution on the Synod's Generosity Initiative with a focus on inviting individuals into the vision and mission.
Lacey is grateful to have been raised in the ELCA EaND Synod with a talented mother who leads Music Ministries at Sharon Lutheran in Grand Forks. Lacey's mentors and key leadership development moments are all connected to rich experiences in the ELCA at camp, youth gatherings and youth leadership council. She attributes many of her learned and chosen values to her identity in the ELCA.
Welcome, Lacey!
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Synod Assembly
Late Registration Deadline: May 27 @ 11:59pm
You can still register (with a late fee) for Synod Assembly! Late registration closes at May 27 at 11:59pm. Walk-in registration will not be available. Please email Dn. Alex Benson-Tuff or call the Synod Office with registration questions!
The Eastern North Dakota Synod will gather in Assembly on June 7-8, 2025 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, ND under the theme of “Grace Upon Grace.” Our keynote speaker and churchwide representative will be the Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA Director of Congregational Stewardship. We hope to see you there!
Register here or find more information at this link.
| Bishop Tessa has created a sermon for congregational use on June 8 during Synod Assembly weekend. This sermon is now available in PDF format or video format. You can also find these links on the Synod Assembly page on our website. | |
Synod Assembly Offering
The offering for this year's Synod Assembly will be designated to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic for Education priorities including the high school library and computer lab. Offerings can be brought to Synod Assembly, donations can be made online, or checks can be mailed to the synod to support this project in the CAR. All are invited to support our Global Companion Synod with your financial gifts, even if you aren't able to make it to Synod Assembly!
Checks can be made out to "Eastern ND Synod" with "Synod Assembly Offering" written in the memo line. Mail to:
Eastern ND Synod
PO Box 2019
Fargo, ND 58107
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Creation Celebration
June 7, 6-8pm + St. John Lutheran, Fargo
All are invited to participate in a Creation Celebration on Saturday, June 7 at St. John Lutheran in Fargo! This event coincides with Synod Assembly but is open to all -- not just Synod Assembly attendees. Join us for yard games, upcycled crafts, food and a variety of community partners and booths including beekeeping, vegetarian cooking, tiny homes, community gardens, and native plant gardens.
Tee's Tacos will be providing an Indigenous-focused meal, partially sponsored by the Advocacy & Action Team. A free will offering is encouraged. Congregations can enter a drawing to receive the proceeds of the meal to be used toward a creation care project or donated to a related non-profit of their choice!
Do you want to promote this event in your community? Here's how!
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Pre-Assembly Events: Fresh Expressions of Church
You are invited to join Dn. Erin Power for the following "Fresh Expressions" Pre-Assembly Events. Fresh Expressions are gatherings that connect with new people or allow folks to engage church in different ways: Dinner Church, Messy Church, Yoga Church, Burritos and Bible Study, Facebook Church, and so much more!
Messy Church: Friday, June 6 @ 6:45-7:30pm (Holiday Inn, Fargo)
Messy Church is a hands on gathering designed to be accessible for children and youth, but can be adapted for all ages. Come experience a Fresh Expression of church that is rooted in interactive stations to play and wonder.
Book Discussion: The 21st Century Christian by Michael Moynagh & Michael Adam Beck
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Friday, June 6, 7:45pm (Holiday Inn Spirits Lounge)
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Saturday June 7, 7:00am (Holiday Inn Restaurant)
The 21st Century Christian explores how people of faith might invite new people into the story of Jesus in ways that connect with their everyday life. Join Deacon Erin in conversation over food and drinks either Friday night or Saturday morning
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Holy Innovations Grant Application
Grant Application Window: May 15 - July 31, 2025
In our ever-changing world, it is critical the congregations and ministries of Eastern North Dakota Synod are inspired to think creatively about how to share God’s love and grace in the 21st century. The Holy Innovations Endowment will encourage ministry vitality and inspire congregations and ministries to think boldly and innovatively about being the church in the world today. Grants from this endowment will support innovation and experimentation in congregations and ministries. For 2025, five (5) grants up to $500 will be awarded from either the Mustard Seed or Inspire Grant categories.
Download this document or visit our website to learn more. Applications go live on May 15!
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Stewardship Starters: Introduction to the Generosity Project
August 12 @ 6pm (Zoom)
Join us for the next Stewardship Starters Webinar on August 12! The Generosity Project is an opportunity to engage all generations to respond to God’s generosity as a year round practice. Join us to learn more about the Generosity Project and how to build stewardship and generosity as a whole congregation.
View this event on our website.
Click here for the Zoom link.
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Synod-wide Bible Study Resources Now Available
The Bible study guide and recordings are now available from this year's synod-wide Bible study on the book of Ruth! Download the PDF Bible Study guide here. Please email Deacon Alex Benson-Tuff to receive access to the video recordings with Dr. Michael Chan.
You can also find this information and a description of the Bible study on our website.
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2025 Boundaries Trainings
The Eastern North Dakota Synod is partnering with the Southeastern Minnesota Synod to offer boundaries trainings in 2025. We have one more training scheduled for September. Click on the link below to register.
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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:
Mission support to the wider church ensures the gathering in assembly to attend to the business of the church. This Churchwide Assembly takes places every 3 years.
Share "Offering Connections" in your worship bulletin or congregational newsletters! Download the Offering Connections Document: PDF or Word
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Stories from CAR
Over the past few weeks, we have been sharing stories from Willie Langdji, Regional Representative of the ELCA for West and Central Africa. His stories highlight how the wonderful work you are involved in the Central African Republic is transforming the lives of God’s people in that country and strengthening your sister church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Central African Republic (ELC-CAR).
Access to good drinking water
Sustainability of programs is a priority of the leadership of the ELC-CAR. The church and partners have done a wonderful job sharing the Good News of Christ and bringing needed support and care to people in the Central African Republic. Substantial support from the ELCA and other international partners of the church has made much of this possible.
In the next 100 years the ELC-CAR is giving more attention to the financial sustainability of these programs and the church as a whole. In the past 20 years, and with support from the ELCA, the Water Resources Management Program has supported 75 villages to have access to potable water by harnessing 77 springs and building wells that have benefited more than 25,000 families.
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Aus Memorial Lecture at Luther Seminary with Will Willimon
You are invited to a live conversation on Jesus and evangelism! Join Will Willimon for this year's Aus Memorial Lecture at Luther Seminary on June 17. You can join either in-person (starting at 6pm) or online (starting at 6:30pm).
This year’s Aus Lecture will be an extended conversation on Jesus Christ as the instigator and sustainer of Christian evangelism. In taking the Good News to those who have not yet heard and responded to the news, we join Jesus in his relentless determination to invite all into his coming realm. Learn more and register at this link.
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Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month
May is Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month. The resources below may be used to support your congregation or you as an individual in advocacy, reflection, and awareness raising.
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Building Resilient Leadership Cohort
The ELCA is accepting nominations for adults, ages 18-and-older, to participate in the inaugural Building Resilient Leadership (BRL) cohort.
Over twelve months, BRL participants will develop a justice project in their communities (with up to $1,000 of seed money for the project), while they gain community organizing skills and build relationships with mentors and peers.
Nominations are accepted through June 2nd. Click here for more information and a link to nominate someone.
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Peace of the Prairie: Second Annual Retreat for Church Musicians
September 11-13, 2025
You are invited to experience the peace of the prairie at Shalom Hill Farm in rural Windom, MN. This retreat is designed to offer a time of renewal for church musicians as a new year of programming begins. The retreat will include worship, discussion, resource sharing and fellowship, as well as opportunities to enjoy the walking prayer trails, prayer labyrinth, and the peace of the prairie landscape of Shalom Hill Farm. We pray this retreat will provide inspiration and encouragement to all who attend.
Musicians will be introduced to Shalom Hill Farm’s newly commissioned liturgical resources including Peace of the Prairie: A Liturgy for Here and Now and Shalom Daily Prayers: Morning, Midday, Evening.
Download this flyer to learn more.
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New Study Guide on the Joint Statement on the Filioque
This year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, which clearly articulates the complexity of our faith. A later addition to the creed by the Latin Church – the words "and the Son," known as the filioque – divided the Eastern and Western churches for almost a millennium. Last year, this division was meaningfully addressed in the Common Statement on the Filioque. The ELCA Church Council recently recommended “that the 2025 Churchwide Assembly prayerfully receive the 2024 Lutheran Orthodox Common Statement on the Filioque." To support this recommendation, a new study guide provides a variety of entry points into the statement, including study, worship, prayer and liturgy. More information about the filioque and the study guide is available at this link.
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Online Discernment Groups – exploring God’s call to lead
Do you ever get a sense that God is tapping you on the shoulder?
Are you wanting to learn more about church leadership and wondering whether it might be for you? Have you ever thought about enrolling in seminary, or even just wondered what seminary study is like today?
You are not alone! The ELCA, in partnership will all our seminaries, is once again offering online groups where you can share your curiosity with others across the church. Over three sessions, explore how God might be calling you to lead in the ELCA. Sign up by visiting elcaseminaries.org and filling out the contact form, or by emailing recruitment@elca.org.
Are you a rostered minister interested in leading such a group? Email Rick.Summy@elca.org to learn more.
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Feedback Requested: ELCA Social Message on Child Protection
Jesus’ call of welcome in Matthew 19:13-14 points to the church’s responsibilities toward children. Yet too many children today experience not welcome and safety but traumatic abuse and neglect. The ELCA’s draft social message on child protection addresses this crisis and outlines the church’s sacred responsibility to protect and nurture children. To strengthen this draft, we need your feedback. Share your comments and suggestions during the public comment period, from March 21 through June 30. Read the draft and complete an online survey.
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"At The Table" VBS Curriculum from ELCA World Hunger
“At the Table” is ELCA World Hunger’s 2025 Vacation Bible School curriculum, inviting your community to learn how storytelling can make a difference in your neighborhood and the world. Each day offers large- and small-group activities, crafts, games, snacks and more. Download the curriculum here or order it online.
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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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