We live in a time of anticipation. We have taken time to give God thanks for abundance we have received, while at the same time we prepare to meet Jesus. In this Advent season, we live between Jesus’ first coming and his final appearing as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are people of the “mean time” or in between times. We live our day-to-day lives with the realization, “…what can be seen is temporary; what cannot be seen is eternal,” as the Apostle Paul reminds us.
Last May we gathered as people of the Eastern North Dakota Synod and committed ourselves to the ministries we do together. During the past month, each congregation has been contacted regarding its respective commitments for 2010. On behalf of these ministries, Thank You. Some congregations have exceeded their mission support commitment, some have doubled their support. Many others indicated their strong desire to fulfill their commitment, others are unsure.
With this information in hand, our synod council executive committee undertook the task of reducing our 2010 mission plan (budget) by $120,000 (11%). These cuts will affect ministries and people to whom we have made commitments, whom we have valued, and who have served on our behalf. The shared ministries affected by these reductions are:
- Synod Bible camps
- Luther Seminary
- Oak Grove Lutheran School
- ND Lutheran Campus Ministry
- Synod Office Closure – December 23-January 3, 2011
- all of our churchwide ministry partners around the world
How might our future be changed? The answer lies with “us”, each one of us, the 100,000+ members and 225 congregations of the Eastern North Dakota Synod. We are richly blessed. We believe in the ministries we are called to do together. What we do matters.
Any gifts received by January 31, 2011 will help support our commitment to our shared ministries. You may send a gift to Mission Support to:
Eastern North Dakota Synod
1703 32nd Avenue South,
Fargo, ND 58103
In the midst of these temporary, challenging times, we are reminded:
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
- Luke 2:10-11, KJV
This is eternal.
In the meantime, have a blessed and anticipation-filled Advent!
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