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February 4, 2026
EaND News and Events
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Giving Hearts Day: February 12, 2026
Giving Hearts Day is February 12, 2026. We encourage you to participate in this regional day of generosity!
Leading up to February 12, we will be sharing reflections about the impact of the synod's ministry across Eastern ND. You can be a part of the work that we do across the Eastern North Dakota Synod. We hope that you will consider a gift and help us reach our goal of $80,000. We have already raised $40,000 in match dollars. Early Giving is now open!
In the spirit of generosity, we are having a Conference Giving Challenge! We are looking for 100% participation before (scheduled) or on Thursday, February 12 from all Rostered Ministers, Synod Lay Ministers, or candidates currently serving at ministry sites in your conference. This year's prize is Norwegian Heart Shaped Waffles. Pastor Brad will come to a Conference Gathering and make you fresh waffles with delicious toppings. More than one conference can win this challenge – all it takes is 100% participation!
Download the 2026 Bulletin Inserts:
Learn more about Giving Hearts Day at this link.
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Bishop Election Updates:
Congregation Nominations - Opening Soon
- Each congregation may submit up to three names of Ministers of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA (pastors) for consideration as bishop.
- Nominations must be the result of official congregational action (e.g., council or annual meeting).
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Nominations are to be submitted via an online form, which will be available by February 5, 2026.
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Deadline for nominations: February 25, 2026.
Further information, including the nomination form and timeline, are available on the Bishop Election page of our synod website: www.eandsynod.org/bishop-election
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New Synod Lay Ministry Coordinator: Welcome, Katie DeMarais!
We are excited to share that Katie DeMarais has joined the Eastern North Dakota Synod staff as our new Synod Lay Ministry Coordinator! In her role, Katie works with those applying to become Synod Lay Ministers and supports current Synod Lay Ministers. Welcome to the team, Katie!
You can email Katie at katie@eandsynod.org.
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Church Council Training
February 22, 2026 @ 3:00-5:00pm
Presenter: Rev. Emily Carson
This interactive workshop for congregation council members will equip council leaders to recognize and steward the power entrusted to them with wisdom, humility, and care. Together, we’ll explore the differences between authority and control, formal and informal power, and healthy versus harmful uses of power in congregational settings. Rooted in faith and grounded in practical theology, the session will offer tools for navigating conflict, building trust, and honoring boundaries in ways that support a thriving, healthy church culture. Participants will reflect on their own relationship to power, engage real-life scenarios, and consider how the wise use of power can be an expression of love and justice. This workshop will leave you more confident and clear about your role in the body of Christ.
Slides and the recording will be available after the training upon request.
Click here for the Zoom link.
This information is also available on our website.
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2026 Mission Support Intent & Annual Report Resources
Thank you for your partnership in ministry! As you finalize your congregational spending plans for 2026, we ask you to give prayerful consideration to your congregation’s mission support for 2026, knowing that your generosity not only funds our work as a synod but contributes to the impact made by our vast churchwide ministries. In addition, a number of resources are available on our website to tell about the impact of your partnership and generosity.
Congregations are encouraged to share one or more of the resources below as part of worship, annual meetings, and annual reports. Let us know how you helped tell our shared story by sending in copies of your reports, emailing your reports, or just sharing via email what you did! All congregations who report back how they shared our stories and resources will receive a prize at Synod Assembly!
Find resources and learn more on our website or click on the individual resource links below.
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Stewardship Webinar:
"Church Council Treasurer 101"
February 9, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Zoom
You are invited to a practical session designed to support church treasurers in congregations of every size. Whether you are brand new to the role or have been doing it for years, this conversation will offer clarity, confidence, and community. The event is free, but pre-registration is required to help us plan well and provide materials in advance. Register By February 8th, 2026.
Click here to register.
Learn more and view previous webinars
at this link.
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"When Healing Hurts" Text Study
How do look at stories in healing in scripture? How might we consider these stories in ways that are affirming of folks with disabilities? You are invited to join the EaND Disability Ministry Team for next month's text studies!
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March 10, 2026: John 9: 1-41 (Sight to the Blind Man)
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March 17, 2026: John 11:1-45 (Jesus Raises Lazarus)
Registration Required. Cost: $10; registration fee will provide a stipend to text study leaders. Click here to register.
Click here to learn more about the Healing Hurts text study series.
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Grey Area Thinking
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10am - 1pm
Location: St. John Lutheran Church, 1710 5th St. S., Fargo
Facilitator: Ellie Klug
What does the phrase “diversity and inclusion” actually mean? How can we move beyond grouping and labeling of other humans to make an organization-- or even our personal lives--more diverse and inclusive?
This training provides an easy-to-understand toolset on how to be more welcoming of anyone who is “Other” in our society.
There is no cost to this event, but pre-registration is required. Register here!
Sponsored By: St. John Lutheran Church, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, & Eastern North Dakota Synod Advocacy & Action Team
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Boundaries Training
The Eastern North Dakota Synod is partnering with the Southeastern Minnesota Synod to offer an online Boundaries Training on February 17, 2026 from 1:00-4:00pm. Rostered ministers are required to complete a boundaries training every three years.
Click here to register.
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Joint Theological Day 2026
Save the date for Joint Theological Day: April 16, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Pr. Emily Harkins will be our speaker. More information coming soon!
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Ordination of Phyllis Johnson
Phyllis Johnson will be ordained to the Ministry of Word & Sacrament on February 7, 2026 at 2pm at Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND. Ministers are invited to vest and process, and the color of the day is red. Join us (and the whole Church) in celebration! Phyllis has been called to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in East Grand Forks.
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Youth Summer Road Trip
No youth worker? No problem! Let the staff of the Eastern North Dakota Campus Ministries organize a week of fun for youth in grades 8-12 for the 2025-2026 academic year. We will experience faith, fellowship and fun as we venture to Winston Salem, NC. This road trip, completely organized and led by campus ministry staff, offers high schoolers a chance to grow spiritually, build friendships, and serve alongside The Dwelling, a ministry dedicated to loving and learning from neighbors experiencing homelessness. Learn more and register at this link or download this flyer to learn more.
Questions? Contact Pr. Kim Adams at kim@lcmndsu.org or Pr. Aaron Bye at aaron@christus-rex.org.
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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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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 share that information in this e-newsletter when we receive it. The following information has been recently shared with us. We give thanks for the life and ministry of these individuals:
Rev. Timothy Johnson died on January 24, 2026. He served United Lutheran in Grand Forks from 1988-1998. His obituary can be found at this link.
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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Palm Sunday Path
You are invited to participate in the Palm Sunday Path, an ecumenical and interfaith worship and a processional walk in Bismarck and Fargo. Palm Sunday Path has centered on our call to love those who are hungry or vulnerable (including those who are ill) and the stranger, and to bear public witness to that call, and people from more than 15 states will be participating. Download the flyers below to learn more.
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Immigration Information Trainings for Faith Communities
February 7, 2:00 - 3:30pm: Know Your Rights
February 14, 2:00 - 3:30pm: Legal Considerations for Congregations
Trainings will be held at Faith Journey Lutheran Church in West Fargo. All are welcome.
Download this flyer to learn more.
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Recent Communications from Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry
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ELCA Coaching Ministry: Wayfinding in the Commons
Faith leaders are invited to join ELCA Coaching Ministry for "Wayfinding in the Commons," a new monthly supportive gathering beginning February 4 at 1pm.
What to Expect (the short version): We will be gathering together online the first Wednesday of each month for Community, Learning, Clarity (which creates Agency), and at least one Actionable Step. We will be meeting for about 45 minutes, starting at 11am Pacific | 12noon Mountain | 1pm Central | 2pm Eastern.
Learn more and register at this link.
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Seminary Sampler Weekend at Luther Seminary
March 20-22, 2026
Immerse yourself in the Luther Seminary community! You’ll join others interested in exploring seminary to spend time in conversation, study and discernment.
- Meet with current Luther Seminary staff, faculty, and students.
- Visit with local Twin Cities ministry leaders and hear about how they are living out their calls.
- Enjoy a weekend in Minneapolis and St. Paul as you wonder how God is calling you forward
Learn more and register at this link.
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National Lutheran Choir Concert in Moorhead
Sacred Refuge: From Light to Light: Join the National Lutheran Choir under Artistic Director Jennaya Robison for Sacred Refuge: From Light to Light at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Minnesota on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Presented in partnership with the Concordia Choir, this moving winter-to-spring concert traces the arc from winter's stillness to spring's awakening, featuring movements from Fanny Hensel's Lobgesang, Shavon Lloyd's So Breaks the Sun, Jake Runestad's Under This Tree and Nada te Turbe, and Aaron McDermid's From Light to Light, commissioned by NLC in 2008.
Date & Location:
3:00 pm, Saturday, March 21, 2026
Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 8th Street S., Moorhead, MN 56560
Tickets: Youth 18 and younger, FREE | Adults/Senior, $20 | Students pay what you will with valid ID
Tickets may be purchased online at NLCA.com or at the door on the day of the concert.
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Young Clergy Women International Conference 2026
Registration for Conference 2026, “Welcome to the Table,” is now open! YCWI members from around the world will gather in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, from July 27-30th, 2026, for professional development, connection, and community. There are a variety of ways to attend conference and we invite you to learn more on the conference website.
Membership in YCWI
Members gain access to our online communities, resources, job board, and in-person opportunities for connection, along with the chance to write for Fidelia Magazine or submit a book query for publication with Chalice Press. Learn more about YCWI at this link or click here to learn about membership.
Membership in On the Road
On the Road (OTR) features the opportunity to connect with women in the ordination process. OTR members get access to our monthly newsletter, featuring opportunities for growth and additional participation. This year in particular, On the Road members are invited to attend the YCWI Conference.
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Understanding the Neurodivergent Brain: Using Knowledge and Compassion to Show God's Love
You are invited to join the Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association for this continuing education opportunity on February 26 from 6-8pm via Zoom. This interactive presentation will help participants gain an understanding and appreciation for persons living with a neurodivergent brain due to conditions such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Using an unfolding, real-life case study based on the presenter's personal experience with a neurodivergent child, the audience will learn strategies to address common challenging behaviors, social difficulties, and communication issues. Practical ways to show God's love to persons and families struggling with the complexities of neurological differences will be discussed.
Learn more and register at this link.
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Lutheran Men in Mission Winter Ambassador-Gram
The Lutheran Men in Mission 2026 Winter Ambassador-Gram is now available. Check it out online at this link or download a PDF here. Learn more about Lutheran Men in Mission here.
| Registration is now open for the ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering. The gathering will take place July 6-9, 2026 in Indianapolis under the theme "Woven Together." Click here to learn more. | |
Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering
The Women of the ELCA (WELCA) Triennial Gathering will take place July 16-19, 2026 in Des Moines, IA.
Click here to read about this year's theme, see a list of speakers, browse this year's workshops, and more!
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Augustana University Buntrock Scholars Program
The Buntrock Scholars Program at Augustana University supports students who are active and engaged in ELCA congregations throughout the Midwest by covering half of the net price of attendance, up to $13,000 per year.
Applications for Fall 2026 are now open. Find more information and the application at augie.edu/BuntrockScholarship.
Congregations whose students are awarded the Buntrock Scholarship are strongly encouraged to provide some level of financial support to help the students cover the other half of net tuition. The donor’s vision for this generous scholarship program is to partner with congregations and synods to make college more accessible for young people in the Church.
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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; phones answered between 1-4pm
Tuesday: 9am-4pm
Wednesday: 9am-4pm
Thursday: by appointment; phones answered between 1-4pm
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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