February 1, 2023

EaND News and Events

Giving Hearts Day continues to grow as a vital avenue to support synod ministry. We are STRONGER TOGETHER as congregations, parishes, and ministries. We hope that you will participate in this year’s Giving Hearts Day. Our goal is to raise $80,000! We have already raised $40,000 in match dollars. You can schedule your gift in advance

by February 7 at: https://app.givingheartsday.org/#/charity/379

Read more about how to support synod ministry through Giving Hearts Day here.

Annual Congregation Reports

This is a friendly reminder for congregations to fill out your Annual Congregation Reports for 2022 by March 1st. You can submit your reports here. You will need your Congregation ID and password to log in.

Please contact the synod office if you need any assistance.

Ordination of Rev. Sally Azar

On January 22, Bishop Tessa joined hundreds of clergy from around the world to participate in the ordination of Rev. Sally Azar, the first Palestinian woman to be ordained in the Holy Land. Azar will be serving the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) English-speaking congregation in Jerusalem. Read more about this historic day here.

"Called to Serve" Stories

How is YOUR ministry living out their call to serve? This year, we are highlighting the ways in which ministries across the Eastern North Dakota Synod are serving in their local community. These stories are shared in "Connections" our E-Newsletter and on our Facebook page. All that is needed is 1-3 sentences and 1-3 photos. You can submit your information using this FORM and after that is summited you will be directed to email your photos to the synod office.

Church Council Presidents Monthly Check-In

Next Check-in: February 19, 2023

Council Presidents are invited to join Bishop Tessa for a listening and sharing session each month on the third Sunday at 7:00pm on Zoom.

Follow this Zoom Link to join.

Other News and Events

All Rostered Ministers in the ELCA are invited to join colleagues under the theme of "Rekindle the gift within you" (2 Timothy 1:6). Let this gathering be an opportunity for you to remember, reclaim, rekindle and revive yourself. Gathering with colleagues from across the church for fellowship, renewal, continuing education, worship, bible study and refreshment for your spirit.

Learn more and register for the ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering

2023 marks the 100^th anniversary of Lutheran mission in the Sudan (present day Cameroon & Central African Republic). A celebration will take place July 8-9, 2023 in Minneapolis and will include representatives from Cameroon and the CAR, as well as US and Canadian synod bishops. As part of the centennial celebration, youth groups are invited to participate in a Glocal Mission Trip in Minneapolis! Groups will spend a few days learning about urban ministry in Minneapolis and then participate in the Centennial Celebration. Learn more here.

The Parish Nurse Ministry Program of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN will be offering the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course June 5-9, 2023 at First Lutheran Church in Fargo. The program is open to licensed registered nurses who are interested in personal growth and/or starting a health and healing ministry within a faith community. For more information, visit the program website or download this document. 

Registration deadline: May 26, 2023 

Cost: $450 

Are you a young adult dedicated to social justice and a simpler way of life? Are you someone who hopes to explore or deepen your faith? Are you seeking experience in the non-profit/ministry field?

At USC, we believe that service is transformational -- it creates the opportunity for shared humanity and to faithfully respond to one another's needs. We also believe that in community, we are able to live more faithful, simple lives that are in service to one another. Our full-time volunteers live in an intentional community house in downtown Denver with others who are committed to social justice, racial justice, and accompanying vulnerable populations. To learn more, download this document or visit www.urbanservantcorps.org.

Contact Us

• Alyssa Holmen, Administrative Assistant for Leadership
• Deacon Laura Carson, Associate with the Bishop for Formation and Administration
• Pastor Brad Skogen, Associate with the Bishop for Congregational Leadership and Transitions
• Deacon Erin Power, Director for Evangelical Mission
• Alex Benson, Connections Coordinator
• Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth