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February 19, 2025
EaND News and Events
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Church Council Training
February 23, 2:00-4:00 pm (Zoom)
New and returning church council members are invited to our annual church council training February 23 on Zoom. Together, we will dive into the nuts & bolts of everything you need to know as a church council member: constitutions, insurance, financial best practices, and leading through uncertainty.
Click here for the Zoom link.
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Joint Theological Day 2025
"The Story of Us: Our Story, God's Story"
Date: April 3, 2025
Time: 10:00 - 3:30pm
Location: Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, ND
Speaker: Bishop Leila Ortiz, Metro DC Synod
In the rush of daily life, we often overlook the profound treasury of stories we carry within us. In our time together we will pause and seek to recognize the sacred narrative that unfolds in our lives and our ministries. Together, we'll explore how Scripture and our personal journeys – with all the questions, struggles, and moments of wonder – weave into the greater tapestry of God's ongoing story. Let's uncover and share these experiences; that we may offer our most authentic gift to both the church and a world hungry for healing and belonging.... with God's help and in Jesus' name.
Click here to register!
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Advocacy & Action Book Club
The Eastern North Dakota Advocacy & Action Team invites you to join this month's book club discussion! This month's book is Transforming by Austen Hartke.
Date & Time: February 26 @ 7pm, Zoom
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81742978074
Meeting ID: 81742978074
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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
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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NOW AVAILABLE:
Lenten Resource from The Neighborhood Church
"The God Who Dwells Among Us" is a worship resource for congregations to use for Sunday or mid-week services throughout Lent. The format was created with lay led worship in mind but can be adapted for however it works best! The full resource is now available to download on our website.
This worship resource is a gift to Eastern North Dakota congregations from The Neighborhood Church. The Neighborhood Church also relies on the generosity of individuals and congregations to support the ministry they are called to do with their neighbors.
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2025 Boundaries Trainings
The Eastern North Dakota Synod is partnering with the Southeastern Minnesota Synod to offer three boundaries trainings in 2025. Click on the dates listed below to be taken to the corresponding event registration page. All trainings will take place on Zoom.
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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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Giving Hearts Day: Thank You!
Thanks to your generosity, $136,599 was raised on Giving Hearts Day! Your generosity further connects the people of God and helps this vital church flourish into the future. Thank you for joining us in our Mission, "United in Christ, we dare to invite, connect, and act."
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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 Eastern North Dakota Synod provides for synod staff to accompany congregations in transition
Share "Offering Connections" in your worship bulletin or congregational newsletters! Download the Offering Connections Document: PDF or Word
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GSB Stewardship For All Seasons Information Session
February 20 @ 11am, Zoom
Are you looking for the right approach to stewardship? Come participate in a free Zoom call to learn how GSB can help your congregation. Those who attend will learn about the Stewardship for All Season (SAS) program and will have the chance to sign-up for a newly forming SAS Cohort or One-to-One SAS Consultation.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85056930298?pwd=c09CNVk4eis2eGJKTW1YSGgwTzNUQT09
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ELCA Congregational Pulse Surveys
The ELCA Research and Evaluation unit periodically sends out Congregational Pulse Surveys to congregations. One quarter of the congregations are surveyed at a time in order to capture a snapshot of ELCA life. This is different than a congregation's annual report for the ELCA. Filling out the Pulse Surveys are a great aid in knowing more about our life together as a church. Thank you for your participation!
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44th Annual Rural Ministry Conference
March 9-11, 2025
Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA
This year's conference is titled "Form Follows Mission: Creative Ways STaR Congregations are Adapting for the Sake of Vitality and Sustainability in Mission and Ministry" and will feature keynote speaker Rev. Nancy Nyland. Individuals can participate either in person or via Zoom. Learn more at this link.
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Planting Seeds E-Newsletter for Rural Ministry Leaders
The latest edition of Faith+Lead's Planting Seeds E-Newsletter is now available. Planting Seeds is a resource for those serving in small towns and rural ministries. Click here to view the newsletter in your browser. Click here to sign up to receive future newsletters in your inbox.
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New Resource: Lent in a Box 2025
Church Anew has created Lent in a Box 2025! This year's theme is "Unbroken: A Living Faith." Learn more at this link.
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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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Last Call for LSM 2025!
Enrollment for this summer is over 80% full, but there’s still time for young musicians to apply, and for you to nominate students. Lutheran Summer Music is the nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school musicians. Students come together from around the country for a joyful summer of music-making through large ensembles (band, choir, orchestra), chamber music, private lessons, elective classes (conducting, composition, jazz, musical theatre, handbells, pipe organ) and use their musical gifts in performance, and in worship.
LSM 2025 | Valparaiso University, IN | June 22-July 20 | Grades 8-12 | Learn more: LSMacademy.org/program
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Concordia Choir Concert
Hear one of the nation's finest college choirs perform in Moorhead, MN on Sunday, March 16th at 4PM in Memorial Auditorium at Concordia College. Michael Culloton conducts the 70-voice a cappella choir in a varied concert ranging from Renaissance motets to contemporary choral works. “You MUST see them - it’s an unforgettable experience!” says Eric Whitacre. You've seen their Emmy-winning Christmas concerts on television, now hear them live! Tickets are available online at ConcordiaTickets.com or at the door. Visit www.TheConcordiaChoir.org for complete information.
Click this link to download promotional materials.
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Addiction & Faith Webinar: "Substance Use Recovery: How Your Church Can be Part of the Solution"
You are invited to participate in a one-hour free webinar presented by the Center of Addiction & Faith. Guest presenter is Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, from the ATTC Network, a multidisciplinary resource for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services fields. He will present church-based initiatives which have been effective in addressing substance use challenges, and share multiple ways churches can support recovery for individuals, families and communities impacted by addiction.
Register here.
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Alzheimer's Association Webinar:
Supporting Families Living with Dementia in Spiritual Communities
February 25; 1:00-2:30pm CST
Are you concerned that a member of your spiritual community is experiencing memory loss? While there are several reasons why this can happen, Alzheimer’s and dementia are possibilities. During this presentation you will learn “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s.” We will also explore tips to support community members navigating the dementia journey and discuss ways to connect their families with resources from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Download this flyer to learn more or click this link to register.
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Lutheran Men in Mission Newsletter
Lutheran Men in Mission's Winter Ambassador-Gram is now available. You can download the PDF here or check it out online. You can learn more about Lutheran Men in Mission at this link.
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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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