synod assembly resources
Synod Assembly 2026
June 5-7, 2026 + Holiday Inn, Fargo
Summary of the 2026 Synod Assembly
On June 5-7, 2026, the Eastern North Dakota Synod, ELCA gathered together at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, North Dakota for the thirty-ninth annual Synod Assembly under the theme “Waters of Promise, Waters of Life.” There were a total of 325 people in attendance (206 Lay Voting Members; 78 Rostered Minister Voting Members; 41 visitors). The business items included hearing reports from synod officers, adopting the Synod Mission Plan (budget) for Fiscal-Year-End 1-31-2028, elections for Synod Council and Committee on Discipline, adopting the 2027 Compensation and Benefit Guidelines, adopting updates to the Synod Constitution and Bylaws, releasing Skjeberg Lutheran Church as a congregation of the synod, and held an election for Bishop. The Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth was re-elected to a second six-year term as bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod, ELCA. The bishop was re-elected on the fifth ballot, with 137 votes. The Rev. Joe Johnson, pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, had 117 votes. In addition to the business, participants had the opportunity to worship together, attend workshops on a variety of topics, and celebrate significant anniversaries of rostered ministers and congregations. Bishop Regina Hassanally, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, led two Bible studies on baptism. Imran Siddiqui, ELCA Vice President, chaired the bishop election and reported on the work of the ELCA. Offerings were collected for the Holy Innovation Endowment Fund and totaled $7,961. The 2027 Synod Assembly will be held on June 5-6, 2027.
Synod Assembly Documents
Synod Assembly Recordings
Sunday, June 7 Worship Resouce
Sermon from Bishop Tessa (video)
Sermon from Bishop Tessa (manuscript)
synod assembly 2025
June 7-8, 2025 + Holiday Inn, Fargo
Summary of the 2025 Synod Assembly
On June 7-8, 2025, the Eastern North Dakota Synod, ELCA gathered together at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, ND for the thirty-eighth annual Synod Assembly under the theme of “Grace upon Grace.” There were a total of 263 people in attendance (177 Lay Voting Members; 70 Rostered Minister Voting Members; 16 Visitors). The business items included hearing reports from officers, adopting the Synod Mission Plan (budget), elections for Synod Secretary, Synod Treasurer, Synod Council and Synod Committees, and adopting the 2026 Compensation and Benefit Guidelines. Participants also heard a State of the Synod from Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth and State of the ELCA from our churchwide representative, Rev. Tim Brown. Two keynote presentations were shared by Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA Director of Congregational Stewardship. There were nine workshops offered for participants on a variety of topics. Rostered Ministers and Congregations celebrating significant anniversaries were acknowledged. The 2026 Synod Assembly will be held on June 5-7, 2026.
Documents:
Videos from Synod Assembly:
State of the Synod - Bp. Tessa Moon Leiseth
State of the ELCA - Rev. Tim Brown
Sunday, June 8 (Pentecost) Worship Resource
Sermon from Bishop Tessa (Video)
Sermon from Bishop Tessa (Manuscript)