Synod Hearings (external link) provide an opportunity for participants to share with the task force their concerns, appreciation, and suggestions about the draft of a social statement. A record of comments from each hearing is shared with the task force, who will consider this feedback while developing a revised document called a “proposed” social statement. The proposed statement is scheduled to be finished in February of 2011, which will be considered by the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly (external link).

Hearings are a very important step in the social statement process because the goal is broad participation in the development of social teaching and policy documents. Please encourage farmers and other interested folks to attend.  We often complain about “not being heard”; hearings give us a chance to offer the task force a North Dakota perspective!

EaND Synod Hearings on Genetics:

Emmanuel Lutheran Church – Gackle, ND (directions (external link))
Sunday, August 8, 2010
10:30 am
All are invited to worship at 9:30 a.m.

Mountain Lutheran Church – Adams, ND (directions (external link))
Sunday, August 8, 2010
5:30 pm

More Information:

• A Social Statement on Genetics from the ELCA portal (external link)
• Draft Social Statement on Genetics Information (external link)
• Download: Draft Socail Statement on Genetics (download .pdf file)
• Download: FAQs (download .pdf file)
• Download: Executive Summary (download .pdf file)

During the Pentecost season, the color of our altar paraments and pastors’ stoles is green. It is a season of growth, not only for nature, but for us as children of God. Many of our scripture lessons during the Pentecost season are teaching lessons or parables. Jesus used every day, common examples to help us understand and be more aware of the Kingdom of God that is at hand. For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, we are being taught lessons every day.

At our synod assembly, I was overwhelmed by the amazing response to the “extra mile” for mission challenge; for example, individuals and groups are donating roofs for churches and motorcycles for clergy in the C.A.R. Remember, the “extra mile” is over and above regular giving and encompasses all the ministries we do together. Visit our synod website for information about our shared ministries; continue to watch for additional resources about the “extra mile” effort.

At assembly we adopted a faithful, yet frugal, “first mile” mission plan. The first mile is our initial commitment to the ministries we do together (the “extra mile” is the bold invitation to go an “extra mile” in our giving). We pledged our support, not just to “the synod”, but to all of the ministries we do together. As you experience your own seasonal challenges as congregations, with summer reductions in cash flow, the synod experiences the same reductions. It is human nature to worry and/or fret about our circumstances, perhaps even prudent to do so at times. Yet I have chosen to believe in the people and congregations of eastern North Dakota to be able to face the future, not with dread, but with confidence!

As I visited with Willie and Ann, two of our missionaries, and with Greg, one of our campus pastors, I reminded them (in the face of financial challenges) not only of the faithfulness of the God whom we serve, but also of the faithfulness of the people of God with whom we journey. Sure, money is tight. But the lesson I need to continually learn is that God is faithful. As we put our trust in God, (and our money where our mouth is) God is able to work with us and accomplish “abundantly more than we are able to ask or even imagine,” as the Apostle Paul said.    If you or your congregation find yourselves in a position where you are able to share of your blessings with the ministries we do together now, great.    If you find yourself in a position where you are going to need to adjust your commitment, please let us know so that we can most faithfully adjust support to the mission partners who depend on us.

I hope that you will join me in trust in this growing season as we continue to learn what it truly means to be on this road together.

Pastor Bill Rindy
Serving as Bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

» Download: A Word from Bishop Rindy (July 2010) (download .pdf file)

• We rejoice as we see the results of silent growth as crops do what they were created to do. We trust God to provide daily bread, all that is needed for life, that we might glorify the one who created us for the glory of God.
• We rejoice (and sometimes cry) as our young people grow into the people they are created to become… some graduate, some get married, others leave to begin their careers or time of military service. We trust that God will watch over them (as God always does) as they live their lives, making decisions which hopefully put a smile on God’s face.
• We grieve as some of life’s unwelcomed changes come our way. The unexpected death of a loved one, of a marriage, or of a friendship can take years of God’s gentle care to bring the healing that once again leads us back into a season of healthy growth.
• We wrestle (as people of God) with how we can truly love God and our neighbor with the love of Jesus Christ. During this Pentecost season, we look to Jesus to see how to love the sometimes difficult-to-love neighbor.
• We rejoice as new seminary graduates begin their service as pastors in our synod. You all have a wonderful reputation for shaping excellent pastors for service in the Church.
• We rejoice for Valley City high school as they welcome a new principal, Kristi Brandt. (which means we welcome back on a full-time basis Pastor Terry Brandt to serve as Associate with the Bishop). We rejoice to have the whole Brandt family as a part of our synod.

We do a lot of things together during a season of growth. Believing and trusting in the communion of saints and the forgiveness of sins is easy when life is moving smoothly. It can be more trying at other times. I want to thank you for the faith and trust you have placed in me and in all those who serve you through your synod office. I understand that for many reasons, congregations can face challenging times, especially during the summer months. I want to thank you for your support, even when it isn’t always easy to do with tight finances. It allows us to provide much needed support to those congregations/pastors who happen to find themselves in need. If you haven’t needed intensive support from the synod office lately, I’m happy to know things are going well. If you have needed the support of this office, I’m happy you have reached out to us for support.

Thank you also for your efforts to go the “Extra Mile” for mission. You are already making a difference. Whether it is a youth group from Clifford-Galesburg tithing of their fundraising efforts or an individual moved to put a roof on a church in the Central African Republic, every effort of faithfulness inspires and encourages not only me, but every other traveler on the journey.

Thanks for allowing me to grow with you. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:3-5 NRSV

Pr. Bill Rindy
Serving as your Bishop

» Download: A Word from Bishop Rindy (June 2010) (download .pdf file)

October 7-10, 2010
Green Lake Bible Camp (external link)
Spicer, MN

Is your congregation yearning for renewal? A major study done by the ELCA research unit has identified three key ingredients for renewal:

1. Discovering a shared purpose for participating in God’s mission locally and beyond
2. Willingness to change for the sake of the Gospel
3. Shared leadership between pastor and congregational leaders.

The Unit for Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission – ELCA (external link) has designed a renewal journey called Transformational Ministry that may cultivate new life to congregations.

About the Process:

This is not a program or a project. Rather it is an intense process of renewal that involves the whole congregation. The process begins with prayer and in depth study of the Book of Acts. Leaders selected by the congregation attend a ministry transformation training event. The training experience planned in Region 3 is supported by Synods and EOCM in Region 3 to prepare leaders for engaging their congregations into a new future.

Teams Attending Can Expect To:

1. Experience great worship and digging into the Bible.
2. Get tools for getting to know and engage their community.
3. Make a six month mission action plan.
4. Bring the spirit of transformation back into your congregation.

Would you like more information?

Contact Pastor Keith Zeh at the Synod Office

Download event information (download .pdf file)

Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry (external link) is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for all aspects of the organization and reports directly to the Board of Directors. S/He is the key spokesperson for the organization. Education: Preferably a four-year degree in a business related field or equivalent experience in a similar discipline. Experience: A minimum of 15 years in a relevant environment. Previous work in an international and/or multicultural setting is advantageous. Find more information and application instructions at www.lutheranpartners.org (external link)

Minister of Music and Worship

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, a 1700 member ELCA congregation in Moorhead, MN, is seeking a 3/4 time Minister of Music and Worship to coordinate the recruiting and rehearsal of music teams to lead and support the congregation’s worship experience. This position has several areas of focus: Spirit-led worship, missional outreach, and children/youth worship participation. Preferred music degree or equivalent experience desired. For more information, contact Judy England at (218) 236- 0840 or send questions/resume to jkmengland@yahoo.com. Please include OSLC Music Position in the subject line. A job description will be posted by July 15, 2010 at www.oursaviorsmoorhead.org (external link)

Seminar presenter, Cathy Townley, will encourage “updating existing worship through missional and spiritual practices.” Topics covered include: increase worship attendance through spiritual practices; organize communities to plan and lead worship; welcome guests through relationships; and sustain numerical growth.

Pastors are asked to attend with a team of 3-5 persons including musicians, worship team members, or worship planners from their con- gregations. Register online (external link); Lunch included; cost – $179 per church by August 25. If you have questions, contact Carrie at (218) 233-2412 or oslc@oursaviorsmoorhead.org

Join us Friday beginning at 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm Saturday for the Glocal Mission Gathering!

What’s different about this event? The ELCA Glocal Mission Gathering brings together experts and resources on global and domestic ministry under one roof, for one weekend, in one convenient location so leadership teams can build the skills needed to be a part of God’s mission, no matter where service happens. Additionally, the dialogue initiated at this event will help ELCA Global Mission understand how to be of better service to you.

This event will feature a “God’s work. Our hands” wall displaying the past year’s mission activities of the congregations in the EaND Synod. All congregations are asked to submit a list of their mission accomplishments in the year beginning with the summer of 2009, sending them to Ruth Urdahl, 907 9th St SW, Jamestown, ND 58401-5104 or email urdahlkr@yahoo.com Identify submissions with the congregation’s name, city, and number of baptized members and sent by September 1.

More information:

• Registration (external link)
• Event Agenda (external link)
• Download brochure (download .pdf file)

• August 19 at Our Savior’s Lutheran, Valley City, ND
• September 1 at University Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, ND
• September 26 Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND

News from the Nelson’s:

“… exciting to see the clinic in operation and already had 12 babies born there … still many odds and ends to get going but it is indeed a joy to see the Emmanuel Clinic of Gallo healing the sick and doing things in that town that had never been done there before … Thanks for all your gifts and offerings to make this a reality.”