Feb. 24,
2016


Synod E-News
FEATURED NEWS & EVENTS
Ventures in Growing Stewards Info Meeting
Ventures in Growing Stewards is a four-part workshop series that develops a vision and  plan for growing stewards through a year-round stewardship ministry.  Each congregation develops an approach to fit their context and culture. Ideally, the pastor and one or more members will attend an info meeting to hear about this series and take the information back to your council or stewardship team.  The first workshop will be scheduled later in the spring  in a central location, once it is clear which congregations have chosen to participate.
 
Next Info Meeting:
English Lutheran Church, Maxbass, 7 pm CT on Monday, February 29 Learn More 
Compare and Contrast of Ruth and Judges, March 12
Join Dr. Diane Jacobson of Luther Seminary and the Book of Faith Initiative as she leads participants on a journey through the books of Judges and Ruth.  This event is sponsored by the synod's GIFTS program and will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bismarck. All are welcome to attend.  $15 registration fee includes lunch.  Learn More
People finding Christianity, religion and faith. Large crowd of people walking to and forming the shape of a cross on a white background with room for text or copy space in the cross. Tilling the Soil Event, April 9
Come dream about ministry possibilities around us. Tilling the Soil is designed to unleash creative possibilities for Gospel proclamation while giving tools and resources to help engage the mission field. Join Rev. Ruben Duran, ELCA Director of New Starts as he explains options and partnership opportunities to help fund exploration.   Rev. Keith Zeh, Director for Evangelical Mission for the NW Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota Synods, will share examples of new ministries being engaged in the territory he serves.  Registration and Information
Health Assessment LinkMayo Clinic Health Assessment & GO! Challenge yield big rewards
Portico Benefits offers a 1% discount on health contributions from congregation when 65% of the ELCA-Primary health plan members and spouses in their synod take time to complete the online Mayo Clinic health assessment before April 30th.  Collectively we could save our congregations a combined total of $13,000. While the health discount is a valuable reward, the real reward is greater health - among ELCA leaders, congregations, and church budgets. By walking together in the wellness reformation, we can achieve it. So don't just take the health assessment. Complete your GO! Challenge as well to create a healthy, lasting lifestyle change. Learn more at MyPortico.
More Events and Notices
Faithful Leadership in Small Town and Rural Ministry: Challenge and Promise featuring Dr. Alvin Luedke
Clergy and laity from Western North Dakota are invited to join the The Northern Rockies Institute of Theology - Montana Synod  for a workshop exploring how we lead faithfully in a missional era, leading change withing community while identifying assets for ministry.  This workshop will be held Tuesday, March 1st 9:30am - 3:30pm at Zion Lutheran, Glendive, MT. 
Cost:
$75 for clergy (JC Scholarship Funds available)
$50 for New to Ministry, LPA, retired (JC Scholarship Funds available)
$20 for lay not needing CEUs
*(Please bring $ for a light lunch at the church)
Register at www.nrit.org (click on the NRIT logo in the upper left side of page and then scroll down to the Rural Ministry event to sign up online) or register by emailing Jenny Kunka at [email protected]
Volunteer with Heart River Bridges of Hope
Do you have gifts to share with youth ages 12-19?  Consider volunteering on the campus of the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center in Mandan for game nights, gardening, lefse making, blanket making, crafts, and visits. This is a great opportunity to join with Heart River ministries in walking with youth as they are incarcerated and potentially develop relationships to mentor them as they make their journey into the community.
*must be 18 and pass state background check to volunteer at correctional center campus*
 
Free Training sponsored by Heart River Lutheran Church
Date: March 12, 2016
Location: Heart River Lutheran Church, 701 16th Ave SW, Mandan ND
Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Noon meal provided
Please RSVP to Shera at 595-3962 / [email protected]  by March 10th.
For more information on Heart River Lutheran Church and it's ministries: www.heartriverlutheran.org or find us on facebook.
Open Bible over a desk or table. Open word of God waiting for the pastor or believer. The need of coming back to the word of God as source of guidance.     Note  Shallow depth of field
Discerning God's Call Retreat, March 18-19
Wondering if God is calling your to ministry in new ways in your congregation or the larger church? 
Join Krista Lind, AiM, Associate Dean of Student Resources and Candidacy at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN and Rev. Amy Currant, Dean for Vocation at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA, in a guided weekend of exploring God's call to ministry. Bishop Mark Narum and Beth Anderson will also be present for conversations about candidacy and opportunities to serve throughout the church. Learn More
Deadline for Submitting Synod Assembly Resolutions:  March 31
Resolutions  for consideration must be submitted to the Reference and Counsel Committee via the Synod Office by March 31 and sent through one of the following channels in order to be considered:
  1. Congregational meetings or congregational councils.
  2. Conference Assemblies
  3. Synod Teams
  4. Synod Council
  5. Individual voting members (resolutions must be accompanied by the signatures of five (5) voting members.)

View the Resolution Form and Worksheet for more information. 

Rostered Women's Retreat, April 3-5
All rostered women are invited to a retreat at Sacred Heart Monastery near Richardton April 3-5. Take some time away to renew yourself after the demands of Lent and Holy Week.
Register online HERE

Recycled paper note pinned on cork board.Save the Date Message. Wedding Concept Image
Power and Boundaries Workshops
All rostered leaders in the ELCA are expected to participate in ongoing continuing education (at least every 3 years) on maintaining appropriate boundaries in ministry. Workshops will be held in both Minot and Bismarck this April. Visit the links below for more information & registration:
In Mission Together

ELCA Members offer prayers for Gloria Dei Lutheran in Duluth
 
As fire illuminates the interior of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Duluth_ firefighters pour water on the flames from an aerial unit and the ground Thursday morning.
Bob King _ rking_duluthnews.com1
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are offering prayers for the congregation of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Duluth, Minn., whose church suffered major damage in a fire Feb. 18. The fire, which destroyed much of the sanctuary of the 110-year-old building, is still under investigation.

The Rev. David M. Carlson, pastor of Gloria Dei, said although members are devastated by the loss, they are determined to continue their work in the community. Carlson said the church is in an area "where people are in need."

"It is a loss, but we know the church is the people, and we believe in the resurrection. We know this is not the end, and the ministry continues," said Carlson. He added that the monthly free breakfast hosted by the congregation will go on as planned and will be held at a temporary site in the community. 

"We are thankful for the body of Christ and how we are connected with all of the ELCA," said Carlson, describing the outpouring of concern throughout the ELCA. . .It's humbling to know that we don't walk alone and God is faithful," said Carlson. "There is new life and we believe in the resurrection."  More

  Save the Dates
Western ND Synod Assembly
June 10-11, 2016 @ Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck, ND
June 2-3, 2017 @ Grand Hotel, Minot, ND
May 31-June 2, 2018 @ Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck, ND
June 6-8, 2019 @ Grand Hotel, Minot, ND

Western ND Fall Rostered Leaders Gathering
September 11-13, 2016 Medora, ND
 
Western North Dakota Women of the ELCA Gathering
June 16-17, 2017 at the Grand Hotel, Minot, ND  

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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
Concordia Lutheran, Crosby
Peace Lutheran, Crosby
Dawson Lutheran, Dawson
Deering Lutheran, Deering

Rostered Leaders
Rev. George Schuessler
Rev. Craig Schweitzer
Rev. Phyllis Scroggins

For Healing & Comfort
Rev. Jeff Giles
Marcella Nelson
Gary & Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl

Our Partnership Ministries
Northeast Ohio Synod of the ELCA (Domestic Companion Synod)
 Upcoming Events
  • Feb 25 -
    Women in Ministry Conversations (Barnes and Noble, Minot)
  • Feb 28 -
    East Missouri and Heart River Conferences Annual Meeting (Camp of the Cross, Garrison)
  • Feb 29 -
    Ventures Info Meeting (English Lutheran Church, Maxbass)
  • Mar 12 -"Ruth and Judges" - GIFTS Event
    (Lord of Life, Bismarck)
  • March 18-19 -
    Discerning God's Call Retreat (Camp of the Cross, Garrison)
  • May 1-3 -
    Theology on the Prairie - "Sundays and Seasons for Seekers" with Paul Hoffman
Synod Transitions
 
Installations
Jodi Lorenz, AIM - Feb. 14
Faith Formation Minister - Tioga Area Parish (First & Trinity) and  United Community Parish (Epping & Ray)

Transfers
Rev. Rachel Simonson to Northwestern Minnesota Synod
  

 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]