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April 2, 2025
EaND News and Events
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Synod Assembly
Registration for Synod Assembly is now open! 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.
You can find more information about registration, hotel reservations, display tables, workshop proposals, childcare, and more at this link.
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Strategic Plan Information Session
April 24, 7-8pm, Zoom
The synod spoke and a strategic plan was created! Come to learn more about what hundreds of people across the synod said was important for our shared ministry life together in Eastern North Dakota and how we are living into it. There will be an opportunity for Q&A.
Click here for the Zoom link.
Meeting ID: 868 9658 1375
Passcode: 847227
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Ready to Retire Retreat
Rostered ministers who are considering retirement in the next 3-5 years are encouraged to attend this year's Ready to Retire Retreat on April 29 from 11:30-4:00 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Crookston, MN. This is event is a collaborative event with the Northwestern Minnesota Synod. Register here!
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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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Mission Support & Annual Report Resources
As you finalize your congregational spending plans for 2025, we ask you to give prayerful consideration to your congregation’s mission support for 2025, knowing that your generosity not only funds our work as a synod but contributes to the impact made by our vast churchwide ministries. Please share your 2025 mission support intent using this form on our website to help us plan for mission & ministry in 2025.
A number of resources are available to tell about the impact of your partnership and generosity. We hope you include these in your annual reports or as part of your annual meeting, and share the story of our life together!
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Annual Congregation Reports
EXTENDED DEADLINE: APRIL 11
Each year, every congregation, synod-authorized worshiping community (SAWC) and new start is asked to provide information about its people, finances, and resources through the Annual Congregation Report. This provides the churchwide organization and synods with a record of the congregations and worshiping communities that make up the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Read more about annual reports and find a list of Frequently Asked Questions at this link.
File your annual report online here.
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New Date Added: 2025 Boundaries Trainings
The Eastern North Dakota Synod is partnering with the Southeastern Minnesota Synod to offer boundaries trainings in 2025. We have recently added an additional date in May specifically for EaND participants. Click on the links below for more information.
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APRIL DEADLINES: Grants Available for Rostered Ministers
There are three grants available for rostered ministers through the Vital Leaders Endowment Fund: the Pension Equity Grant, the Debt Reduction Grant, and the Leadership Grant (new!). Download this PDF to learn more about grant eligibility and how to apply.
You can also find this information and additional information about each of our Endowment Funds on our website.
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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:
Our shared gifts support the work of supporting our vulnerable neighbors through ELCA Advocacy Ministry.
Share "Offering Connections" in your worship bulletin or congregational newsletters! Download the Offering Connections Document: PDF or Word
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EaND Advocacy & Action Book Club
Next Meeting: April 23 @ 7pm (Zoom)
You are invited to join the Eastern ND Advocacy & Action Team for their April Book Club discussion! This month's book is The Naked Don't Fear the Water: An Underground Journey with Afghan Refugees by Matthiew Aikins. Zoom link coming soon!
You can also find this information and the Zoom link (when available) on our website.
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Eastern ND WELCA Spring Roundup
Join the Eastern North Dakota Synodical Women's Organization for their annual Spring Roundup on April 26 at Stump Lake Village! This event will feature music, engaging speakers, delicious food, entertainment, and various vendors. Learn more at this link or by downloading this flyer.
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Notice of Rostered Minister & Family Deaths
The synod office is occasionally notified of the deaths of rostered ministers and/or their spouses who at one time served in Eastern North Dakota but are no longer on our synod's roster. We are starting a new practice of sharing that information in this e-newsletter when we receive it. The information below has been shared with us so far in 2025. We give thanks for the life and ministry of these individuals:
Rev. Philip M. Larsen died on January 24, 2025. During his career, he served parishes in Hoople and Grafton, ND and Kindred and Davenport, ND. Read his obituary here.
Rev. Paul M. Swedburg died on March 13, 2025. He served in Grand Forks, ND during the 1970s-1980s. Read his obituary here.
Lois Hiller died on March 18, 2005. She was the wife of Rev. Edward J. Hiller, who served parishes in Napoleon, ND and Fort Ransom, ND. Read her obituary here.
Rev. James (Jim) Tonneson died on March 26, 2025. He served the McVille Lutheran Parish from 1970-1975. Read his obituary here.
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)
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ELCA Seminaries Fireside Chat:
Word & Service Ministry
Thursday, April 10th, 2025 @ 7pm CST
Join us for a virtual fireside chat with the Seminaries of the ELCA, Deacon Krista Anderson, and Deacon Beth Anderson, as we explore Diaconal Ministry in the ELCA! Click here to register.
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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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Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Course
The Parish Nurse Ministry Program of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN will be offering the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course April 28-May 2, 2025 (the deadline to register is April 1st). The course will be held at Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. This will be a full week of in-person/classroom learning activities as we do not offer a distance learning option. The program is open to licensed RNs who are interested in personal growth and/or starting a health and healing ministry within a faith community. Download this flyer to learn more.
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Festival of Homiletics Registration
Registration is now open for the Festival of Homiletics, which will take place May 12-15, 2025 in Atlanta! This year's theme is "Preaching to Heal the Divide." Click here to learn more and to register.
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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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