April 29,
2015


Synod E-News
News and Events
Only 24 hours left to help us reach 2%

Health Assessment LinkCongregations can earn a 2% discount on this year's ELCA health contribution if 65% of our synod Primary Plan members and spouses take the May Clinic Health Assessment by April 30! As of April 11 we were still 29 people short. 

To take the Mayo Clinic health assessment, access Mayo Clinic Healthy Living online directly through myPortico - no separate Mayo Clinic ID and password necessary. Go to PorticoBenefits.org/HealthyLiving for details. Spouses must register for their own myPortico account to access Healthy Living and take the assessment.  Call Portico's Customer Care Center at 800.352.2876 for more assistance.

Share your Congregation's Ministry with others in the Congregational Ministry Fair
Synod Assembly will feature a display area where congregations can share the ways God is using the members of their congregation to share the love of Christ with their neighbors! Does your congregation have a story to share about how God is working through the hands and hearts of your congregation to impact others?  If so consider sharing that story by creating a display for the Congregational Ministry Fair.  Email [email protected] by May 15th to let us know you would like a display and then complete the Congregational Ministry Fair Form and plan your display.
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Parental Involvement Worksop

Metigoshe Ministries invites you to join us at the Lakeside Christian Center on Tuesday, May 12th from 5:30-8 p.m. Amy Kippen, Faith Formation Director at Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo will be leading this evening workshop designed to "help define roles for the church and for parents, creating a system that draws parents in rather than guilts them." The evening starts with a famous Metigoshe supper. COST: $10/person (you read that right!! It's an amazing deal!!) Don't want to drive home afterwards? Beds in our theme rooms will be available at just $20/person (including a continental breakfast). Please RSVP to 701-263-4788 or [email protected]  

Rev. Dr. Samuel Ndanga-Toue
Leadership Changes for the EELRCA, our companion synod
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic held it's Assembly last weekend.  Their agenda included the election of a new President and Vice President of their church body.

They are pleased to announce the election of Rev Dr Samuel Ndanga-Toue as the new President of the EELRCA and Rev. Rachel Doumbaye as vice president.  Ndanga-Toue formerly served as Director of the Theological School in Baboua, so as he moves to into his new position as President, Rev. Dr Antoinette Yindjara has been named by the church council to head the Theological School in Baboua.  Former President of the EELRCA Rev. Andre Golike has also been called to teach at the Theological School in Baboua.
As the Conflict ends in the Central African Republic -
An Update from ELCA Missionaries Anne & Willie Langdji

Since January 2015, Lutheran Disaster Response International has been working closely with the companion church in CAR, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (ELC -CAR), to put behind them the conflict that has hit the country for over 18 months.

The Madagascar, West and Central Africa team of ELCA Global Mission that we are a part of is working with a committee in the church to plan, execute and monitor the planned reconstruction of 600 houses for families affected by the conflict in the Bohong area.  The project also provides potable water to communities, re-opens health care facilities so the returnees can have access to needed healthcare, provides training to program leaders in the church for better service delivery to the populations they serve and prepares farmers for the next crop planting season in May. Training of trainers in trauma healing also took place in April in Bouar and that work will continue, building on an initial session hosted by the Bible School in Baboua and Women's Organization of the ELC-CAR. Continue Reading 

Scholarships are available for EQ-HR (Emotional Intelligence and Human Relations) Workshops
 Several $500 scholarships are available for rostered leaders interested in participating in an EQ-HR workshop this year.  Contact Lisa Ahlness for information on applying for the scholarship. 
The EQ HR Center workshop is an intensive 5-day session designed to enable participants to learn about, build and practice emotional intelligence skills in a small group setting. Learn More about EQ-HR Workshops and Dates and Locations
Worship planning for the Sunday after Assembly
 Wondering what to preach on the Sunday after Synod Assembly?  Consider using the text that will be the focus of Assembly as a way to tie Sunday Worship to the synod assembly and bring back some of the Assembly to those at home in the congregation.  This year's Assembly worship text will be John 6:1-16, focusing on the Feeding of the 5,000 as we explore what it means to be Living in God's Abundance.
LWR Quilt and Kit Pick-ups
LSS of ND will once again partner with Midwest Motor Express to arrange quilt and kit pickups for Lutheran World Relief in May. Click on your pickup location for more details:  Bismarck |Dickinson |Minot | Williston
 
In Mission Together . .
ELCA Responds to Saturday's Earthquake in Nepal
The Situation:
Sections of the Kathmandu's historic center lie in rubble. News reports indicate that more than 3,500 people have died and thousands are injured in the valley surrounding the city. The death toll is expected to rise as people are believed to be trapped under rubble. Deaths have been reported in neighboring India, Tibet and Bangladesh. The tremor also set off a deadly avalanche on Mount Everest.

Our Response:
Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to walking with our brothers and sisters in Nepal, as rescue efforts and assessments continue. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has launched an immediate large-scale emergency response with its emergency team in Kathmandu at the LWF offices, which have escaped the worst impact of the quake. The ELCA is the only U.S. member church of the LWF. We are also working with Lutheran World Relief and church partners from ACT Alliance to coordinate the response, which includes the distribution of immediate life-saving supplies such as water, food, shelter and medication to people injured.  Learn More 
 
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 In Our Prayers 
We will pray together through the synod's roster of congregations and rostered leaders.  Please keep the ministries and ministers below in your prayers this week.
 
Congregations

Dawson Lutheran, Dawson
Deering Lutheran, Deering

Rose Valley, Des Lacs
Peace Lutheran, Dickinson

 

Rostered Leaders

Susan Anderson, TEEM Candidate
Rev. Mary Lou Aune
Rev. Sharon Baker 

 

For Healing & Comfort

Rev. Jeff Giles

 

Our Partnership Ministries

Faith-Based Response to Domestic Violence

 Upcoming Events 

 View all Synod Events
View Congregation Events

Synod Transitions
Calls Accepted

Kathleen Nygaard to First Lutheran and Norwich Lutheran, Granville, ND

 

Rev. Dana Holter to Beach Area Lutheran Parish, Beach, Sentinel Butte, Wibaux

 

Ordinations
April 25, Kathleen Nygaard at St. John Lutheran, Dickinson
 
Installations
May 3, Rev. Kathleen Nygaard at First Lutheran Church, Granville, ND
 The Synod E-News is sent to rostered leaders and congregations of the Western North Dakota Synod, and subscribers each week.  If you would like to submit an item for publication in E-News or on the synod website please send to  [email protected]