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June 4, 2025
EaND News and Events
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Synod Assembly
We are excited to gather with approximately 300 people from across Eastern North Dakota for this year's Synod Assembly! We 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.
Can't make it to Synod Assembly in person? Join the live stream!
Click here to access the Synod Assembly Agenda, Voting Member Materials, and Reports to the Assembly.
| 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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Bottled Water Drive
Join us in supporting our siblings on the Spirit Lake Nation with their need for safe water!
Members of the Spirit Lake Nation are currently experiencing unsafe drinking water and are relying on bottled water, likely for the majority for the summer. Bring cases of bottle water or 5 gallon jugs (anything that can stack well!) to Synod Assembly Friday or Saturday and load into the trailer! Help us fill the trailer and share our love and care for our Spirit Lake relatives!
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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 @ 7pm (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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Stewardship Planning Days
Thursday, August 14, 10am-3pm (In-person, TBD)
Sunday, August 17, 1-4pm (ZOOM)
For lay leaders and rostered ministers, of congregations of all sizes! The full day gathering will include developing a framework for talking generosity as cultivating stories that are behind our budgets. Participants will leave with the beginnings of a narrative budget. The half-day will be a condensed version of the same content! Registration information coming soon!
Suggested pre-reading:
Embracing Stewardship (Chick Lane & Grace Duddy Pomroy)
Unlacing the Heart (Henry Freeman)
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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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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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Oak Grove Campus Pastor
Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo is seeking to hire a campus pastor for the 2025-2026 school year. Click here to download the job description.
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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:
Your financial support provides for your congregation’s participation in synod gatherings like synod assembly and fall gatherings.
Share "Offering Connections" in your worship bulletin or congregational newsletters! Download the Offering Connections Document: PDF or Word
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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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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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Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy
Registration for the Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy is now open, and you are invited to join other rostered leaders, musicians, and scholars Aug. 13-15 in Minneapolis. The first Seminar will welcome Dr. Maxwell E. Johnson (Notre Dame), Lizette Larson-Miller (University of Huron), Ed Foley (Catholic Theological Union), Audrey West (LSTC/Yale), and a host of other workshop leaders under the theme “Let it Be With Me According to Your Word: From Praying to Knowing to Doing.” Intended to foster conversation about the liturgical formation of pastors, deacons, and musicians in the ELCA, the Seminar will also welcome a host of musicians and ensembles, including MN Boychoir, the Summer Singers, Daniel Schwandt, Chad Fothergill, Andrew Schaeffer, and Kevin Vaughn. You can register at www.seminarliturgy.org.
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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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Get Ready for LSM 2025!
Join us at Valparaiso University from June 22 to July 20 for our 43rd season, featuring over 30 free concerts, recitals, and worship services. Can’t make it in person? Watch online via Live from LSM! Highlights include the beloved Bach Cantata Eucharist, Festival of Hymns, and the debut Faculty Organ Recital. Don’t miss Festival Week with powerful performances from the Festival Band, Orchestra, and Choir.
Visitor details and online access: LSMacademy.org/2025
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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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