Update on Bishop Craig's Health and Synod Ministry

In light of the recent health issues that our bishop has faced, we thought it would be helpful to offer another update to the synod on Bishop Craig’s health and how the Synod Council is working together with the bishop and synod staff to make sure that the ministry and mission of our synod remain strong.

Click here to read a letter from Synod Council Vice President Bruce Carlson and Bishop Craig.

2023 Synod Assembly - Save the Date!

Mark your calendar to attend the 2023 Synod Assembly - in Bismarck on June 2-4. More info to come!

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 27, 2023. Click here for more info, grant criteria, and a link to the application. Contact Matthew at the synod office with questions!

Western ND Synod Guidelines for the Consideration of Resolutions

by the Annual Synod Assembly

The Western North Dakota Synod 2023 Synod Assembly will be held June 2-4, 2023 at the Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center in Bismarck.

All resolutions of substance must be submitted to the synod office no later than April 1, 2023.

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 for information.

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

Contact Pr. Mary Wiggins, Chairperson of the Reference & Counsel Committee at maryawiggins@gmail.com or Murray Sagsveen, Synod Attorney at 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. 

Prayers for the family of Rev. Nadine Lehr

Your Synod Staff invites you to join us in prayers for the family of Rev. Nadine Lehr as they mourn her death this past weekend. After giving Rev. John Streccius time with the family for care and conversation, we are able to share the following information about Pastor Nadine's funeral service.

The service will be held Thursday March 9, 2023 at 10:30AM at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bismarck. The family has invited all rostered ministers to vest with the color of the day being green. Burial will be Friday March 10, 2023 in Ashley, ND. As the date for the service draws nearer, please watch for a reminder of the service and a link to Pastor Nadine's obituary. Bismarck Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Please join us in giving thanks for Pastor Nadine's faithful service. May God's light perpetual shine on Rev. Nadine Lehr.

New ELCA tool: Journi

Journi is an online tool to help people in this church gain access to contacts, ministries, programs, tools and content to aid them in taking their next most faithful step as they discern their call to leadership.

In its first iteration, Journi features nine paths that are like small courses that showcase programs and ministries from the ELCA along with dozens of articles, videos, podcasts and other resources. There is also a calendar of upcoming leadership events. Additionally, we have updated the look and feel of the existing Spiritual Gifts Assessment tool so that users can identify their top five spiritual gifts and receive content recommendations based on those gifts. 

You are invited to visit www.journi.faith. Some content may require a user to register and log in. To have the full Journi experience you should take 5-10 minutes to create a profile and complete the Spiritual Personality Quiz, which will help Journi recommend content to you based on your interests and strengths. Please share this resource with anyone who might be interested!

Dialog Works: A New Chapter in Ministry Course

This Dialog Works course is the third of the Engaging God's Future series, but can stand alone. Participants will learn how to implement strategies for missions to sustain and revitalize congregational ministry. This course examines possible missional formations such as geographical parishes, shared ministries, ministry cooperatives, other creative adaptations, and the actions that can bring them to reality. The course begins on Thursday, January 26, 2023. The cohort will meet weekly on Thursdays from 9:00-11:00 am CST. It will run through March 16. Click here for the course webpage.

Zoom Seminar: Caring for Gen Z

On January 12, 2023, at noon CST, Springtide Research Institute will share their latest research on “Caring for Gen Z in a Post Pandemic World.” For many young people, there is no normal to return to after the pandemic. Springtide’s pandemic research focused on what young people are experiencing, how they view the future, and most importantly, what you can do to support them. We invite you as ministry leaders and volunteers to come together for this virtual event to strengthen the ministries you are a part of and discover how we can best tend to the young people and communities we serve.

A zoom link will be sent upon registration. Register Here!

Mission Support Estimates

Your congregation may be working on budgets. To help the synod with this work, we request giving estimates each year. Congregations were all mailed out a paper Mission Support Intent form, often filled out after the annual meeting, If your congregation has not yet returned it to the synod and prefer to email it, fill out the form linked here and send it to Matthew@wndsynod.org.

Women's Conference - Minot

Pause to recharge your spirit for the new year at this one-day event to breathe and reflect on God's blessings! Our keynote speaker, pastor and author Rev. Lisa Lewton, will guide us through the benefits of reflection and gratitude, and the promises of grace and faith, all while giving an infusion of hope and encouragement for the tasks of daily life. There will be time for worship, interactive breakouts, lunch, and renewing conversations. This is a great chance for women of all ages to take a break, be still, and take what you need.



Registration is online at https://instillflcminot.eventbrite.com for $25 per person, or $20 if you register before Christmas with code GIFTING. On-site childcare will be provided for an additional donation of $20/kid, $40 max/family; pre-registration for children is required: https://forms.gle/JU42MTp3nbu2ZohY7

Synod Letter for Congregation Annual Reports

Use these links to download a letter from the synod office to be used in your congregation's 2023 Annual Report. The letter is available either in color or in black & white. Color Version Black & White Version