Synod E-news - Week of January 14

Synod E-news

News & Events from the Western North Dakota Synod

January 20, 2024

Rural Plunge - Wartburg Students in WND

In January, our synod hosted three students from Wartburg Theological Seminary. Unfortunately, we showed them a bit of the worst part of our winter weather, BUT we also showed them exciting ministries in our synod like campus ministry at Minot State and one of our four outdoor ministry locations at Camp of the Cross. They were able to learn about our rich history and heritage by visiting the MHA Nation Interpretive Center in New Town and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn. They saw firsthand the importance of the energy industry during visits to the Freedom Mine, Antelope Valley Station, and Dakota Gasification Synfuels Plant near Beulah. And, they were able to experience agriculture and rural life spending time with host families and pastors on farms and ranches across the synod.

Footsteps of Paul Tour

The Eastern North Dakota Synod ELCA's Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth and our own Bishop Craig Schweitzer are leading a tour of Greece and Turkey in October 2024. We invite you to join us on this journey in the footsteps of Paul.

On this life-changing adventure, we will explore the land of Greece and Turkey as the history of the New Testament comes alive. We will retrace the voyages of Paul and learn about the early church and the spread of the Gospel. Our journey will begin in Athens and Corinth, then into Ephesus, as we make our way to Patmos.

Find more information and reserve your spot!

Western North Dakota Synod Guidelines for the Consideration of Resolutions by the Annual Synod Assembly

The Western North Dakota Synod 2024 Synod Assembly will be held May 31 – June 2, 2024 at the Roughrider Center in Watford City.

All resolutions of substance must be submitted to the synod office no later than April 1, 2024. All resolutions submitted to the annual Western North Dakota Synod Assembly for action will be first reviewed by a Reference and Counsel Committee appointed by the WND Synod Council. See the Guidelines for Writing Resolutions 2024 for more information.

RESOLUTIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED DIGITALLY IN MICROSOFT WORD FORMAT AND EMAILED AS FILE ATTACHMENTS TO: The WND Synod Office - info@wndsynod.org

Contact Murray Sagsveen, Synod Attorney - murray@wndsynod.org

with any questions, comments, or assistance.

Please note: To the extent time permits, the Reference and Counsel Committee shall present to the Assembly for consideration any written proposal signed by twenty-five voting members of the Assembly, which is germane to any items on the agenda or of significant concern to the Western North Dakota Synod, if electronically submitted (e.g., email or flash drive) to the Chairperson by 3:00 p.m. on the first day of the Assembly.

Download this memo here.

Student Loan Debt Relief Grants for Rostered Leaders

Members of our synod feel strongly about pastoral care, and that finances should not be a barrier. The Ministry Endowment was created to help reduce the financial burden, first distributing scholarships and grants in 1990. The Ministry Endowment has grants available for student loan debt relief for rostered leaders serving in the Western ND Synod. Applications are due by January 31, 2024. Click here for more info, grant criteria, and a link to the application. Contact Matthew at the synod office with questions!

Centennial Celebrations with CAR, 2023

Watch and share this video on the Centennial Celebrations with Central African Republic.

New IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate

Reminder for your congregation that the new IRS Standard mileage rate increased to 67 cents/mile starting January 1, 2024.

Portico Retirement Readiness Seminars from Fidelity

Retirement Readiness Webinars Resolved to feel more financially prepared for the future? Check out Portico’s Retirement Readiness Series from Fidelity starting at the end of January. Register for live webinars covering topics like turning your savings into retirement income, understanding Social Security, and estate planning basics. Recorded versions of these topics – and many more – are available on demand on myPortico.

How Mission Support Funds Ministry Across Our Church

Download a flyer to share with your congregation from ELCA resources on How Mission Support Funds Ministry Across Our Church.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services Name Change

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) will be changing their name to Global Refugee. Read more about the change here.

Food Drives for Giving Hearts Day

Businesses can host a food drive for a food pantry of their choice with support from Giving Hearts Day. Find more info here or download a flyer.

Thrivent Choice Dollars

Have you directed your Thrivent Choice Dollars to a charitable organization?

Eligible members can recommend where Thrivent distributes a portion of its charitable funding by directing Choice Dollars®. Your WND Synod and all three synod endowment funds are participating organizations (Ministry Endowment, Mission Endowment, Accompaniment Endowment). It's an easy way to support the ministries our church. Members have until March 31, 2024 to direct choice dollars from 2023. Thank you!

Save the Date - 2024 WND Synod Assembly

Date: May 31 – June 2, 2024

Location: Roughrider Center, Watford City, ND

Mark your calendar and plan to attend! More details to follow!

Pulpit Supply Guidelines

The Synod Assembly adopted Recommended Compensation and Reimbursement Guidelines for Pulpit Supply at the Synod Assembly in June. The guidelines and accompanying Pulpit Supply Covenant can be downloaded here.

Best Practices for Recording and Livestreaming Church Services

The ELCA has published "Best Practices for Recording and Livestreaming." This document addresses notices to the congregation about live streaming and recording the worship service, recording moments during the service when children may appear on camera, parental consent for posting a video or photo of a child, the privacy of members who desire to not be recorded, and other key issues.