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FEATURED NEWS & EVENTS 
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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/ |
Synod Council Meeting Feb. 10-11
 The Western North Dakota Synod Council will be meeting Feb. 10-11 at Christ Lutheran Church in Minot. You are always welcome to stop in and listen to the business before the council. If there is an item of business that you would like brought before council, please let synod staff or your conference representative know.
At this meeting the council will approve a 2018 Synod Budget to be brought to our synod assembly in June as well as adjust the 2017 budget. We will also talk about the need for leaders across our synod, stewardship, governance issues and what is happening in congregations across the synod.
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Invitation to a Season of Listening . . .
"A Season of Listening. . ." conversation will be held Friday, Feb. 10 prior to the Synod Council Meeting at Christ Lutheran Church in Minot, beginning at 7 p.m. This conversation is open to anyone interested in participating in a time of intentional conversation about engaging racial diversity across the synod and how we strengthen bonds within our communities. The invitation grows out of conversations at the 2016 Synod Assembly, Fall Rostered Leader Conference and September's Synod Council meeting.
What to expect? A time of honest, caring and safe conversation around issues of race. The hope is that through listening to a variety of voices, a vision might arise around how to better engage race relations in our synod. We know that everything that needs to be said can't be said in these meetings, but they are a start. The conversations will hold to 60-90 minutes. We invite you to participate. We also invite you to extend the invitation to those you know within your congregations who care deeply about enhancing race relations in the church, those who may be willing to share their experiences and those willing to listen to the experiences of others. We hope these conversations will be a first step in bringing those with diverse experiences and stories together so that we might more fully become church together.
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Looking for High School Youth to Serve on ELCA Youth Core Leadership Team
The ELCA is currently seeking applications for the ELCA Youth Core Leadership Team. High school youth who can participate in a two-year cohort group of young leaders while still in high school (think current 9th or 10th graders) should apply by March 1st. The YCLT is about intentional leadership development and faith formation for young leaders with a passion for Jesus Christ and the ELCA. Each year team members have the opportunity to visit the ELCA Churchwide offices in Chicago to learn more about our ministries together as the ELCA and help lead the ELCA Youth Leadership Summit in the fall. To learn more, visit https://elcaymnet.org/YouthSummit#YCLT.
Western North Dakota Synod has had two young people serve on this board in recent years, including current team member Brenden Berquist of Turtle Lake. Contact Beth Anderson if you would like more information or click on the link above for further explanation and application. |
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:
- Congregational meetings or congregational councils
- Conference Assemblies
- Synod Teams
- Synod Council
- 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.
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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.
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| More Events and Notices
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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.
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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.
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 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
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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
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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
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In Mission Together
W.I.S.E. Gifts Support Future Leaders
The Western North Dakota Synodical Women's organization, the WND SWO board is pleased to give nine women from Western North Dakota who are enrolled in an ELCA seminary program at this time a monetary gift from the W.I.S.E (Women in Seminary Education) Fund. The money that builds that fund comes from ELCA women living in Western North Dakota who want to show their appreciation to these women. The total amount to be disbursed was $7,600.00.
The following women received a portion of this dollar amount:
Students at Wartburg Seminary; Gail Hagerty of Bismarck ND, Bethany Haberstroh of Leith ND, Kayla Hill of Washburn, ND. Luther seminary Students; Kim Gifford of Minot ND, Janie Hague of Mandan ND, Annie Langseth of Minot, ND. Recently ordained is Susan Anderson of Napoleon, ND Erin Gullickson of Benedict, ND, and Dominique McFall Buchholz of Bismarck, ND
The W.I.S.E. fund has now been depleted for the 2015-2016 school year, but the fund's policy states that it will be built back up each year through donations from individuals, units, and clusters.
We are so proud of these ladies and encourage everyone to participate in the giving process. All contribution can be made out to Women of Western North Dakota and sent to Cheryl Lacey 4111 85th Ave NW New Town, ND 58763.E
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In Our Prayers
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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.Paul Lutheran, Center
Trinity Lutheran, Columbus
Concordia Lutheran, Crosby
Peace Lutheran, Crosby
Rostered Leaders
Rev. David Maxfield
Rev. Mary Miska
Rev. Martin Mock
For Healing & Comfort
Rev. Jeff Giles
Sherie Heine
Our Ministry Partners
Penelope's Place in partnership with Metigoshe Lutheran, Bottineau
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- February 10-11 Synod Counci
l(Christ Lutheran, Minot) - Feb 25
Martin and the Family Table
(Granville area, location TBD) - Feb 26
Martin and the Family Table
(Concordia Lutheran, Crosby)
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| Synod Transitions |
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
- 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)
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Noonan Lutheran Parish, Noonan and rural Crosby
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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
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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
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FEATURE HEADING
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