April 6,
2016


Synod E-News

FEATURED NEWS & EVENTS FeaturedNews
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. Last Chance to Register for the Tilling the Soil Event
Our synod will host a Tilling the Soil event on April 9th in Bismarck.  This event 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.   Congregation Members & Rostered Leaders are encouraged to attend.
Registration and Information              
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Fight Hunger from the Road! Join the #HungerRide
The Sending Team invites you to join us on this summer's first annual #HungerRide, taking place June 7-9, 2016. The bike ride will start in Max, ND and end at the Synod Assembly in Bismarck three days later.  Along the way, we will visit with area churches, stay with congregational members, and experience the majestic beauty of western North Dakota! Together we will raise awareness of hunger issues facing God's people and funds to support ELCA World Hunger. Join us, as together we work to eradicate world hunger and give our legs a great workout in the process!
 
If you are interested in biking, or in riding along (we need 1-2 volunteers to help haul supplies) please contact Lisa Plorin at (701) 768-2978 or l[email protected]
Live-Stream Event - Grace based Evangelizing: Living and Telling the Story of Jesus Today
colorful_logo_people.jpg April 14, 2016,   6:30-9:00 p.m. CDT
Hosted by the 9 ELCA Directors of Evangelical Mission in the Synods of Region 3.  One congregation could host and invite neighboring congregations to join in this great event.
Click here for more information
Click here to register
Painting by Jane Kalmbach of Kenmare
Do You Have an Item to Share in the Mission Gala Auction?
This year's Mission Gala planning team has started soliciting items for the Mission Gala live and silent auction.  Individuals and congregations are encouraged to consider donating items which might include gift baskets, event tickets, artwork/craftsman items, etc. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Synod Mission Endowment Fund.  If you have an item to donate, please contact Janet Rhoads at [email protected]  or 701-818-7711.
Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker with Dr. Andrew Root, April 23
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of the most beloved Lutheran pastors and theologians of the 20th century, often being listed on the top of everyone's most influential Christians.  Yet, there has been a major oversight when it has come to exploring his life and thought, this omission has been the centrality of Bonhoeffer's youth work and children's ministry.  Come explore Bonhoeffer's work with young people and see how he might inspire our own ministry with young people.
Event Information and Registration 
More Events and Notices MoreNews
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:
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Echoes of Easter, April 17
On Sunday, April 17th at 2pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck (502 N 4th St.) there will be a celebration of music and song, called "Echoes of Easter" ™ sponsored by Heart River Bridges of Hope and Ministry on the Margins.  Several church choirs, including a bell choir, a group from University of Mary, Inspirar�, pianist Melanie Carvell, and organist Scott Houser will gather to sing about the new life we are given in Christ. Coffee, cookies, and fellowship will follow the performances. Echoes of Easter is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will benefit these re-entry ministries. For more information visit  www.heartriverhope.org 
ELCA Missionary to visit WND Synod in June
Susan Smith, ELCA missionary to the CAR, will be in our synod June 10-24. If you are interested in having her visit your congregation (Sunday mornings are already taken), please contact Paul Schauer at [email protected] or 701-391-0584.
Mental Health First Aid Trainings
Mental Health First Aid Trainings will be held April 14-15th at Nazareth Lutheran in Kenmare, and April 18-19th at Zion Lutheran in Mohall.  Both starting at 6pm each evening with a meal served.  This is a wonderful opportunity for law enforgement, EMT's, Social Workers, Nurses, Clergy, and anyone that would be interested.
 
The training is sponsored by the Kenmare and Mohall Safe Community Coalitions.  NO CHARGE for the training and you will receive a notebook of material.  We have Continuing Education Units that we have applied for and they are pending.
Bulletin Insert       Flyer and Registration 
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.
Hallelujah Hooligans Concert
Join the Hallelujah Hooligans in concert to benefit the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center of Dickinson.  This evening of song is co-sponsored by Peace Lutheran Church and St. John's Episcopal Church.  The Concert will be Saturday, April 16 from 6-8pm at Dickinson High School Auditorium.
In Mission Together InMissionTogether

ELCA Campaign finishes second year with $80 million raised
 
ELCA 25th Anniversary
As of Jan. 31, 2016, The Campaign for the ELCA has received $80 million in cash gifts and gift commitments. This represents 40 percent of the campaign's total $198 million goal. Thank you for your prayers, gifts and support! Read more about this milestone in our announcement news release.

In addition, while planned gifts are not included in the $198 million goal, they are critical to the future sustainability of these ministries. To date, $17 million in planned gifts has been committed to the priorities of the campaign.     

 
The items highlighted below are available for preview from the Synod's Resource Library. 
To request to borrow a copy, e-mail your request to [email protected] or call 701-223-5312. Resources
Tried and True!
Ask, Thank, Tell
by Rev. Charles Lanes
Pastor Charles Lane's book "Ask, Thank, Tell:  Improving Stewardship Ministry in Your Congregation" was published 10 years ago now - and is a terrific resource that should be in the hands of every pastor, pastor-to-be, and congregational leader.  It is practical, straightforward, and easy to read.

"Lane encourages leaders to 'seize every opportunity to tell your story' in order to give many compelling ideas for helping people to grow in their relationship with Jesus through joyful stewardship," writes Ed Kruse, former ELCA Director for Stewardship. "The Ask, Thank, Tell section on Creating a Culture of Thanksgiving is worth the price of the book."

Another reviewer writes that Lane's "biblically grounded advice, if followed, would transform the church."

The synod office has several copies of Ask, Thank, Tell to lend.  Give us a call!

The Emotional Intelligence of Jesus
by Roy Oswald and Arland Jacobson
Description
Emotional intelligence - perceiving, controlling and evaluation emotions to better connect with people - is widely studied in the business world to help improve leader effectiveness.  The Emotional Intelligence of Jesus introduces readers to the ways emotional intelligence can enhance their work in faith settings.  Roy M. Oswald and Arland Jacobson highlight the emotional intelligence of Jesus, illuminating the remarkable ways in which he related to a diverse range of people, and then show how these lessons can enrich the ministry of faith leaders today. 

This book walks readers through 5 key principles of emotional intelligence - self awareness, empathy, assertiveness, optimism, and stress resilience - illustrating these principles in the life of Jesus and offering practical applications for leaders today.  The authors address emotional intelligence with both individuals and groups of all sizes.  The Emotional Intelligence of Jesus is an essential resource for anyone looking to enhance their relationship and leadership effectiveness in a faith setting.

Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
Year of Publication: 2015
Format:  Book

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 In Our PrayersPrayers
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
St. Olaf Lutheran, Grenora
St. John Lutheran, Haley
Our Savior's Lutheran, Halliday
First Lutheran, Harvey

Rostered Leaders
Rev. Charles Taft
Rev. Steve Tangen
Rev. Shirley Teske

For Healing & Comfort
Rev. Jeff Giles
Marcella Nelson
Gary & Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl
Allen Schauer (father of Rev. Paul Schauer)
Rev. Mary Lou Aune and family on the death of her sister, Karen Aune Wardner

Our Ministry Partners
People of Northeastern Minnesota Synod
 Upcoming EventsEvents
  • April 9 -
    Tilling the Soil Event
    (BSC, Bismarck)
  • April 16 -
    LYO Board Meeting
    (Peace Lutheran, Burlington)
  • April 18 -
    Boundaries Workshop
    (Minot)
  • April 19 - Boundaries Workshop
    (Bismarck)
  • April 23 -Deitrich Bonhoeffer with Dr. Andrew Root - GIFTS Event (Minot) 
  • May 1-3 -
    Theology on the Prairie - "Sundays and Seasons for Seekers" with Paul Hoffman,
    (Camp of the Cross, Garrison)
  • June 9 -
    Pre-Assembly Workshop
    (Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck)
  • June 9-
    Mission Gala Dinner and Auction
    (Lord of Life, Bismarck)
  • June 9 -
    Synod Council Meeting
    (Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck)
  • June 10-11 -Synod Assembly
    (Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck)
Synod TransitionsTransitions
 
Upcoming Retirements  
 
Rev. Donna Dohrmann, Lutheran Church of the Cross, Bismarck, June 1

Resignations
Rev. Wes Aardahl from Faith Lutheran, Bismarck
 
Congregations in the 
Call Process  
  • Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck
  • Dakota Prairie Parish, Bowman, Amidon and Rhame (Associate)
  • Grenora Lutheran Parish, Grenora and Zahl 
  • Dunn County Parish, Killdeer, Halliday, and Dunn Center
  • Calvary Lutheran, Lemmon
  • McClusky Goodrich Parish, McClusky and Goodrich
  • Christ Lutheran, Minot (Associate)
  • Zion Lutheran, Minot (Associate)
  • Prairie Hope Parish, Newburg, Maxbass, Westhope
  • Prairie Rose Parish, Roseglen, Ryder & Makoti
  • Noonan Lutheran Parish, Noonan and rural Crosby
  • Reeder Lutheran Parish, Reeder, Ralph & Bucyrus
  • Rugby-Leeds Lutheran Parish-Rugby & Leeds
  • Bethany Lutheran, Rugby and Wolford Lutheran, Wolford
  • First Lutheran, Williston (Associate)
  • Gloria Dei Lutheran, Williston
  • Shepherd of the Prairie Parish, Williston
  • St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Wishek 


  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  
 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]