Synod E-News
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
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.   
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

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!  
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!

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)
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
To register, contact Sherie or Beth.
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 

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

            October 1, 2014
In This Issue
Quick Links
Gospel Seeds by Bishop Mark Narum
Join Our Mailing List
Upcoming Events

Heart River Cluster, Carson - October 4

Creating Communities of Care, Kenmare - October 9
Good Leaders Ask Great Questions, Bismarck - October 10
Hunger Sunday, synodwide
- October 12

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

Western North Dakota Synod-ELCA | 701-223-5312 | [email protected] | http://wndsynod.org
1614 Capitol Way
PO Box 370
Bismarck, ND 58502

Synod E-News is published each Wednesday and sent to all rostered leaders and congregations of the Western North Dakota Synod, as well as those who request a subscription. 

 

Would you like an item included in the Synod E-News?  Email your submission to [email protected]. Items to be included must be received by 12 p.m. on Tuesday. 


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