A Weekly Update on Ministry in Western North Dakota |
In Mission Together . . .
God's Work Our Hands at work in Bowdon
Bowdon Lutheran Church in Bowdon had all kinds of hands on "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday, Sept 7-Creative Hands, Baking Hands, Visiting Hands, Singing Hands, Building Hands, and Yardwork Hands. There was something for everyone. We met early for a 25-minute time of worship, which ended with the blessing of hands that involved marking the sign of the cross upon each other's hands. Then we scattered. . . More
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Welcome Lisa & Jan!
We are excited to announce some changes in staffing in the synod office.
The role for Rev. Lisa Ahlness as our Assistant to the Bishop for Stewards is expanding as she comes on board full-time this month. Lisa has been serving for several years in a part-time capacity but with her expanded role she will be more available to congregations and councils to work with you on your stewardship initiatives. Please give her a call to talk about how she might assist you.
You may also hear a new voice on the phone if you call in or stop by the synod office in the mornings. Jan Narum has accepted the part-time position as our new Office Assistant. We look forward to welcoming her to the team.
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Be a part of rethinking Confirmation
While in the parish it seemed that I spent a large chunk of my time working with our confirmation program - from planning, to putting material together, to wondering if what we were doing was really helping these young people grow deeper in their faith. This continues to be an important issue within our larger church and you will be getting a chance to provide some input. Terri Elton, a professor at Luther Seminary is part of a teaming researching this issue. If your congregation has confirmed any students in the last two years you will be receiving an invitation to an electronic survey - please take the time to respond to this survey. If you would like to learn more about this research project you can check out theconfirmationproject.com
Blessings
Mark Narum
serving as Bishop of the Western ND Synod
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Synod LYO Gathering While the initial deadline for the LYO Gathering has passed, there is still room to sign up. Check out http://wndsynod.org/LYO for more registration details. Join us for a weekend of worship, fun, service and faith with AGAPE* and senior high youth from around the synod!
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ELCA World Hunger Sunday, October 12
On Sunday, Oct 12th congregations across our synod are encouraged to celebrate ELCA World Hunger Sunday. Our synod's Sending Team has put together a sample liturgy which can be found on the synod website at http://wndsynod.org/synod-teams/outreach/, as well as links to ELCA World Hunger for additional resources, including bulletin inserts, posters, etc. All congregations are encouraged to take a special offering on this Sunday for ELCA World Hunger. You are welcome to tweak the liturgy as you see fit. Together, let us uplift this important ministry in church and world!
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It's Chili with the Bishop Time!
Join Bishop Mark and Synod Staff for a bowl of homemade chili and chicken noodle soup! We start serving at 5:30; Bible study and conversation begins at 6:15.
Oct 14 - Bread of Life, Minot
(Turtle Mountain & West PrairieConference Meetings)
Oct 21 - Lord of Life, Bismarck
(East Missouri & Heart River Conference Meetings
Oct 22 - Zion, Elgin
Oct 23 - Good Shepherd, Williston
(Upper Missouri Conference Meeting)
Nov 4 - St. John, Dickinson
(Badlands Conference Meeting)
Nov 5 - Trinity, Napoleon
Nov 6 - Oak Valley, Velva
(Lonetree Conference Meeting)
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Looking for an idea for Clergy Appreciation Month?
Perhaps the Clergy Spiritual Renewal Retreat event January 23-25 at Metigoshe Ministries. This retreat is open to the first 15 clergy and their families that register. The focus of the retreat is Spiritual Renewal; the time will be spent in rest, in group conversation with Tammy Devine a Diaconal Minister with Portico, family time, and worship. More
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More Synod News . . .
Click the links below to read more about what's happening in the Western North Dakota Synod
Update on Augusta Victoria Hospital
Augusta Victoria Hospital provides essential medical care in Jerusalem, but it's future is at risk. Learn how you can be a part of helping to sustain this important Lutheran Ministry. More
Ebola Outbreak Response
The deadly Ebola virus appeared in the West African country of Guinea early in 2014 and has now spread to Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The disease had been unknown in that region until then. More
Badlands Ministries seeking Director of Group Sales
Interested in working in camping ministry year-round or know of someone who might be? Check out this opportunity at Badlands Ministries. More
LWR Fall Quilt and Kit Drive Information
We are having a fall drive as there is ashortage of items. The dates for the drive are October 20th - October 24th. Please inform your congregation of these dates and times. More
View All Synod News
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Synod Transitions
Calls Accepted
Rev. Lisa Ahlness to WND Synod Staff
Ordinations
Consecrations
Installations
Rev.Brandy Gerjets, September 21, First Lutheran, Minot
Rev. Christoph Schmidt, September 21, LCM at Minot State, Bread of Life Lutheran, Minot
Resignations
Rev. Lisa Ahlness from Grace Lutheran, Driscoll
Rev. David Fox from St. Olaf Lutheran of Grenora and United Lutheran of Zahl
Retirements
Rev. Tim Johnson
Rev. Ethyl Mae Nelson
Carol Moen, AIM
Transfers
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Upcoming Events
Hunger Sunday, synodwide
- October 12
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In Our Prayers . . .
Synod Congregations:
Living Water, Mandan Vang, Manfred Our Savior, Max
English, Maxbass Grace, McClusky
Those facing health concerns: Rev. Jeff Giles Rev. Mary Miska Monroe Madson - Synod Financial Administrator Those mourning the loss of a loved one: Rev. Bruce Peterson & Family (his mother) Others: Our companion synod: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic Seminary Students in the Fall Assignment Process this week |
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