September 27, 2023

EaND News and Events

2023 Fall Gatherings

Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth invites all members of the Eastern North Dakota Synod to participate in this year’s Fall Gatherings! Join others from around the synod for an afternoon of connection, conversation, and prayer.  Dates and locations are listed below. If you are not able to attend the gathering for your conference, you are invited to attend a gathering in another location. 

Upcoming Dates and Locations: 

• Wahpeton and Jamestown Conferences: October 8, 3-5pm at St. John's Lutheran, Verona
• Prairie Rose and Spirit Lake Conferences: October 15, 3-5pm, Dacotah Oyate, Tokio
• Grand Forks and Grafton Conferences: October 22, 3-5pm at Grafton Lutheran, Grafton

Synod Devotional Resource

We are excited to share with you a new, 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!

Fall Vital Church Modules

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.

Vital Church: Models for Ministry

Thursday, October 26, 2023

10am - 4:30 pm

Trinity Lutheran Church, Cooperstown

Cost: $20

Registration Deadline: October 20

Vital Church: Models for Ministry Introduction

Sunday, November 12, 2023

2-5pm, Zoom

Cost: $10

Registration Deadline: November 10

Click here for registration and more information.

The Eastern North Dakota Synod is invited to participate in a book study with our neighbors in the NWMN Synod. Pr. Rebel Herd will lead a conversation on "Murder on the Red River" by Marcie R. Rendon. Rostered ministers will receive full credit towards their Anti-Racism Training Requirement. The book study will take place on October 3, 17, and 24 at 3pm on Zoom. Email Pastor Rebel at [email protected] if you would like to participate.

First Call Theological Education Coordinator

Deacon Alex Benson-Tuff has accepted the position of First Call Theological Education Coordinator for both Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota Synods. This will be in addition to her role as our Connections Coordinator. You can read her bio HERE. We are grateful for the faithful service of Pastor Jon Olson. He will continue to serve as our Vital Leaders Endowment Coordinator.

There is still room on the Synod Holy Land trip! You are invited to join Bishop Tessa on a trip to the Holy Land on February 16-25, 2024. Learn more at this website, or download this flyer. As an added bonus, we will be traveling with our siblings in the Alaska Synod! We hope you'll consider joining us on this life-impacting journey.

Church Council Presidents' Network

Next Meeting: October 15



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.

Free Clerical Shirts

There are free clerical shirts at the synod office!

Neck sizes: 16, 16.5, and 17

Call or email [email protected] if interested.

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.

Dacotah Oyate Kids Christmas Project

Dear EaND Synod,

Thank you to all those who took tags for the Dacotah O'yate Kids Christmas Project at the Fall Theological Conference at Fair Hills. There were 117 tags taken. This is truly amazing. For those who were not at Fair Hills, the Dacotah O'yate Kids Christmas Project is a ministry for kids on the Spirit Lake reservation to receive gifts and needed items for Christmas. Each child receives needed winter items, hygiene items, and a fun gift. If you are interested in receiving some tags, receiving more tags, or if you have questions, please contact Kelly Longden at 701-662-4911 or [email protected] and he can get them to you. Please have tags filled by the start of December. Thank you for your work and support of this ministry.



Your friends in Christ,

Spirit Lake Conference

Other News and Events

ELCA Truth & Healing Commission News

Upcoming Events:

National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools

September 30

You are encouraged to commemorate this day by wearing an orange shirt and posting to social media with the hashtags #ELCA #TruthandHealing #DayofRemembrance.

"Indian 101" Class

October 5

7-9pm CST



Indigenous People's Day

October 9

Presentation: Settler Narrative

October 24

7-8pm CST

Class: Indigenous Thought & Theology

October 26

10am-12pm CST

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.

Dwelling in the Advent Word

EaND preachers are invited to join Pr. Melissa Pickering and Pr. Jake Anderson for a one-day Dwelling in the Advent Word text study.

Details:

• Monday, October 16, 9:30 am-4:00 pm at Crossroads NDSU
• FREE!
• Snacks provided, lunch on your own



Download this flyer for more information.

Quality of Call Initiative for Women in Ministry

The reports for the Quality of Call Initiative for Women in Ministry are now public and available on the ELCA's website. Read the reports here.

Young Adult Transitions Retreat

"So...Now What?" is a three-day retreat designed for young adults who are experiencing a moment of transitions are seeking time, space, support, and community to help discover what their most faithful next step is in their journey. Young adults between 18-35 are invited to apply by October 1! More information is available at this link.

Free Confirmation Robes

Can anyone use 22 white confirmation robes, assorted sizes? No charge!

Contact Horace Lutheran Church at [email protected].

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

Note: The office will be closed September 11-13 during Fall Theological Conference.