Jan. 25,
2017


Synod E-News

FEATURED NEWS & EVENTS FeaturedNews
Updates from ND Legislative Session
Throughout the 2017 session of the ND Legislature, our synod attorney Murray Sagsveen, will be sharing updates on bills coming before the legislature and upcoming hearings that may be of interest to rostered ministers and members of our synod congregations.  View current updates at http://wndsynod.org/2017-nd-legislative-updates/
checkbook-pen.jpg
2016 Mission Support Year End Contributions
The Synod's fiscal year ends January 31.  We ask that all congregational mission support (or benevolence) gifts be postmarked by today, January 25 to ensure they arrive in time to be included in the year end reports.  If you have questions, please contact Monroe at [email protected] or call 701-223-5312.
Rostered Ministers' Annual Report to the Synodical Bishop
Each year ELCA pastors and deacons are expected to submit an annual report to their synodical bishop.  The report forms are now available on the Office of the Secretary's website on the "Synod" tab. Instructions for submitting the form as well as links to the forms are also available on the Synod's website at http://wndsynod.org/governance/rostered-ministers.

Please note that in keeping with recent changes to the ELCA constitution, forms for pastors are now listed as Reports for Ministers of Word and Sacrament and forms for deacons are listed as Reports for Ministers of Word and Service.
Deadline for Submitting Synod Assembly Resolutions: 
March 31
If you or your members of your congregation are interested in submitting and item for consideration by the 2017 Synod Assembly please note that resolutions  for consideration must be submitted to the Reference and Counsel Committee 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.)

Download the Resolution Form and Worksheet for guidelines on submitting a resolution. 

2016 Annual Report Covers Available
The 2016 Annual Report Cover has been posted and can be downloaded from the ELCA website.  Printed copies can be ordered from www.elca.org/resources/stewardship.  And starting on January 3,  up to 100 copies can be ordered directly by phone at 800-638-3522, and shipped directly to a congregation within a few days.   
 
Bishop's Report to Synod Assembly available for inclusion in Annual Reports
We have had several congregations request a copy of the 2016 Bishop's Report to Synod Assembly for inclusion in their Annual Report.  You may Download the Bishop's Report Here if you would like to include it in your congregations Annual Report.
2017 IRS Mileage Rates
Standard Mileage Rates: Beginning on Jan. 1, 2017, the standard mileage rates for the use of a vehicle will be 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from 54 cents for 2016, the Internal Revenue Service announced last month. The IRS also lowered to 17 cents the standard rate per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 19 cents last year. The volunteer mileage rate for miles driven in service to charitable nonprofits remains unchanged at 14 cents per mile because the rate is fixed in federal statute.
Don't Forget to Update your Congregation's Articles of Incorporation
Each congregation in the synod is a nonprofit corporation incorporated in the State of North Dakota. Each corporation was established when the congregation filed its Articles of Incorporation with the North Dakota Secretary of State and the corporation will continue indefinitely IF the corporation files a required report with the Secretary of State by January 31 each year.  For guidance in the process visit http://wndsynod.org/governance/congregations/
More Events and Notices MoreNews
New Years' Congregational Housekeeping
As we begin 2017, congregation councils and pastor may want to review their records retention program. The Records Retention Schedule for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America can be downloaded at http://www.elca.org/Resources/Office-of-the-Secretary.  Look on the Congregations tab. 
Updating Synod and Congregational Constitutions
 
In August, the Churchwide Assembly voted to update the Model Constitutions for Synods and Congregations of the ELCA.

Synod Constitution:
Last year the Synod Council also initiated the process of updating  the Synod Constitution.  The changes required by the ELCA and proposed by Synod Council will be discussed  and voted upon at Synod Assembly June 2-3, 2017 at the Grand Hotel in Minot.Congregational Constitutions:
The 2016 Model Constitution for Congregations is now posted on the ELCA website at http://www.elca.org/Resources/Office-of-the-Secretary ("Congregations" tab).
  Each congregation should now plan to update its constitution to comply with required provisions in the 2016 Model Constitution for Congregations. At the same time, each congregation council should review the constitution to determine whether the council is fully complying with it.
The process to update a congregation's constitution is not difficult. Synod Attorney Murray Sagsveen has provided a guideline for the process as well as a template for updating your constitution.  View these resources athttp://wndsynod.org/governance/congregation
ELCA Region 3 World Hunger Retreat
The annual Region 3 Hunger Retreat is Feb 3rd and 4th and will focus on climate change with experts from the ELCA. Details and a registration form
Job Openings (non-pastoral) at Congregations and Camps
  • Full-time Director of Youth and Congregational Life, First Lutheran Church, Williston, ND (position open to ELCA Deacons and non-rostered applicants)
  • Part-time Custodian at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck.  For more information contact Dave or Kim at 701-223-2236. 
  • Full Time Minister of Youth Discipleship, Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo. Job Description

In Mission Together 

The Gift of Godparents 
 
My daughter gets a package from her godmother every June near the anniversary of her baptism. When she was little, it was usually a book. As she grew older the books kept coming, but occasionally there would be other things instead. This year two presents arrived-a cross and spirit necklaces from Iona and Taiz�, precious gifts indeed. Every gift was a reminder of my daughter's baptism, that she is loved by God and her godmother.

This year's present came with a bonus-lunch.
My daughter's godmother was in town a couple of months after the baptismal anniversary and took her to lunch. That might not sound like much, but my daughter is 13. It's a hard age, one at which kids need all the love and support they can get. The time her godmother invested in that lunch was love in action-after it my daughter was reassured she is loved by her godmother, and God, no matter what.

Neither lunch, nor the crosses, nor any of the other presents were required. Little is expected of godparents. Typically all they do is show up at the baptism, say yes to a couple of promises they hadn't even considered and then do nothing. It's what most of us godparents have done, including, unfortunately, myself.

But I've learned that a godparent can be so much more. My daughter's relationship has shown me the impact a faithful godparent can have on a child. Godparents can make a world of difference in a child's life simply by being present, whether it's through lunch, gifts or in some other way. It's a unique role, one that I will fulfill better in the future and will never take for granted again.
Read More


praying.jpg
 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
Peace Lutheran, Burlington
St. Paul Lutheran, Butte
Carpio Lutheran, Carpio
St. John Lutheran, Carson

Rostered Leaders
Rev. Timothy Mantei
Rev. Christina Martin
Rev. Janet Mathistad

For Healing & Comfort
Rev. Jeff Giles
Sherie Heine

Our Ministry Partners
Penelope's Place in partnership with Metigoshe Lutheran, Bottineau 
 Upcoming Events
  •   January 23-25
    First Call Theological Education Retreat
    (Metigoshe Ministries, Bottineau)
  • February 10-11
     
    Synod Council
     
    (Christ Lutheran, Minot)
  • Feb 25
     
    Martin and the Family Table
     
    (Granville area, location TBD)
  • Feb 26
    Martin and the Family Table
     
    (Concordia Lutheran, Crosby)
Synod TransitionsTransitions
  
Rostered Leaders  

Calls Accepted
Sylvia Bull, Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck (Associate Pastor)

Ordinations 
Sylvia Bull, February 17, First English Lutheran Church, Great Falls, MT,
7 PM.  Sylvia has accepted a letter of call to Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck.

Dominique McFall Buchholz, January 21, Trinity Lutheran Bismarck, 10 AM. Dominique has accepted a letter of call to Sharon Lutheran, Grand Forks


Retirements
  
Rev. Glenn Berge, First Lutheran, Bottineau - January 2017  
 
Congregations in the 
Call Process  
  • Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Bismarck (Associate)
  • Metigoshe Lutheran Church, Bottineau
  • Dakota Prairie Parish, Bowman, Amidon and Rhame (Associate)
  • English Lutheran, Hazen
  • McClusky Goodrich Parish, McClusky and Goodrich
  • Prairie Hope Parish, Newburg, Maxbass, Westhope
  • Prairie Rose Parish, Roseglen, Ryder & Makoti
  • Zion Lutheran Church, Minot (Associate)
  • Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot (Associate)
  • First Lutheran Church, Minot (Senior)
  • Noonan Lutheran Parish, Noonan and rural Crosby
  • Reeder Lutheran Parish, Reeder, Ralph & Bucyrus
  • Bethany Lutheran, Robinson & English Lutheran, Tuttle
  • Prairie Lutheran Parish,
    Stanley, Ross, & Palermo
  • Oak Valley, Velva
  • Bethany Lutheran, Rugby and Wolford Lutheran, Wolford
  • First Lutheran, Williston
  • Gloria Dei Lutheran, Williston (Associate)
  • Shepherd of the Prairie Parish, Williston


SAVE the DATES  
Western ND Synod Assembly
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 - Medora, ND
September 10 - 12, 2017
September 9 - 11, 2018
September 8 - 10, 2019
 
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]