Updates and Prayer Requests
Pastor Joyce and Ian Graue, missionaries serving in CAR, share the following:
The construction of the Women’s Center - known as “Chez Marthe et Marie” - is complete. Support from congregations for this project is ongoing as the center begins serving area women and is dependent on gifts. The adjacent church is complete but needs furniture including pews, benches, lectern, and communion table. Representatives from companion synods (Eastern ND, Western ND (external link) and Texas-Louisiana Gulf (external link)) traveled to CAR for the dedication in February.
The Village Education Project of the Lutheran Church (20 schools established so far) continues to need support. To begin phase two of the VEP Continue reading…
Report for the Eastern North Dakota Synod Assembly
by Julie K. Aageson
Voting members representing the 100,000 plus Lutherans in the Eastern North Dakota Synod have elected a new bishop. The Rev. William (Bill) Rindy was elected on the fourth ballot over another Fargo pastor, the Rev. Jeff Sandgren. Rindy currently serves as executive pastor of First Lutheran Church in Fargo. Sandgren is senior pastor at Olivet Lutheran, Fargo. Of 549 ballots cast, 275 were needed for a majority decision. Rindy received 372 votes over Sandgren’s 177.
Rindy is a 1992 graduate of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. Previous parishes include Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisbon, ND and Shiloh Lutheran Church in Elmore, MN Rindy succeeds Bishop Richard Foss who has served the synod since 1992 (Foss was ineligible for another term).
Resolutions included a request that the ELCA Rural Desk work with other organizations in America (such as Continue reading…
by Rev. Naomi Garber, Associate to the Bishop
Hope Lutheran Church (Fargo), St. John’s Lutheran & Good Samaritan Center/Arthur, First Lutheran & Fillmore Lutheran/Enderlin, Havana Trinity Lutheran/Havana & Nordland Lutheran/Rutland, Turtle River Ministry (Ascension Lutheran/ Emerado, St. Paul’s Lutheran/ Honeyford, Faith Lutheran/Inkster, Our Savior’s Lutheran/Larimore, and Ness Lutheran/Mekinock), Eastern North Dakota Synod, and Luther Seminary are joining together in an unique partnership. The proposal is for a regional partnership initative for leadership development meaning dual site seminary internship between each congregation/parish and Hope Lutheran Church with EaND’s and Luther Seminary’s support. The internships are to begin August 1. 2008.
Hope is in a unique position to initiate and carry out this project. Hope is defined Continue reading…