We are so pleased that the inaugural class of the Congregational Leadership Academy (CLA) is off and running. The first class is filled with people from all over the Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota Synods who have committed themselves to fuller engagement within their congregation. The first focus or track is Evangelism and began June 11th; the Stewardship focus will launch in September.
Interested in joining a class? Below are answers to some frequently asked questions: Continue reading…
An Open House for Kari Bahe
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
EaND Synod Office – Fargo, ND
Please join us in thanking Kari for her good work among us.
June 30 will be Kari’s last day in the office. Continue reading…
Zion Lutheran Church in Oriska, ND
Members of the church family at Zion Lutheran in Oriska celebrated a new set of church doors last Sunday, May 15. The next evening, the entire structure was destroyed in a fire leaving only a charred remnant of the beautiful 107 year old landmark. No one was hurt in the blaze. During a lull in the fire, several members were able to enter the building to retrieve some records and photos. The cause of the fire is still unclear. Continue reading…
Meeting the Needs of a Hungry World: Nourished and More at God’s Table!
by Julie K. Aageson
Synod assemblies are a lot of work. Planning committees, speakers, worship and workshop leaders, voting members, synod council members and synod staff prepare for months for this annual event. It’s a bit like a very large Sunday dinner gathering with all the family around the table—voting members, visitors and others from all the congregations of the Eastern North Dakota Synod family. It’s a place for learning and growing, for doing synod business, for thinking more intentionally about what it means to be the church. It’s also a place, perhaps even a table, where all are fed and nourished. Continue reading…
submitted by Julie Aageson
Pastor Don Swenson serves as pastor at Walhalla Lutheran in Walhalla and Big Pembina in Langdon. For the last several years, Don has led an untraditional men’s Bible study in Walhalla that continues to grow and welcome new voices! “Don’s men” have been learning about biblical characters and now will be taking a look at Eli Wiesel’s Great Figures of the Bible. Don reports probing questions, out of the box reflections, and deeper engagement with biblical stories that so often are our stories. Continue reading…
Recently a group of Edinburg area residents, including members from Trinity Lutheran Church, made quilts to send to Japan after the earthquake and tsunami. Carol Bjornson was the “spark” behind the project. Community support for the quilt project was wonderful as fabric donations and monetary donations were given. Thirty-two quilts were cut, pieced and tied within 5 days and are now ready to be sent to a church in Japan for distribution. Continue reading…
from Bishop Bill Rindy
Ah, Spring! The words sound so sweet… Yet the Lenten journey continues. The way of the Cross is still before us.
Dr. Harry Wendt, of Crossways International, says, “If we want to follow Jesus, we need to look good on wood.” I see the cross manifesting itself in the lives of those who give of themselves for the sake of others; often times for people they don’t even know. It’s what a child of God does in following Christ. Some are laying sandbags, others give of their life and time by feeding those doing the heavy lifting. The cross of Christ for each of us can take many shapes. Yet the mystery of it all is that when we lay down our lives for the sake of others, we truly find life. Sometimes we are even able to be joyful in our giving and in so doing, we reflect the image of the God by whom we were created. Imagine that.
Water may threaten buildings, but the Church stands strong. Continue reading…
A Response to the Proposed ELCA Statement on Genetics
Submitted by Sarah E. H. Lovas, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church – Hillsboro, ND
» Download: Humans as Stewards Letter (download .pdf file)
I am writing this letter in response to the ELCA Proposed Social Statement on Genetics (external link) which was released on Friday, February, 25th.
I first became invested in this issue last summer when this social statement was still in draft form. At the time, I was working as an agronomist and genetic technologies were a part of my recommendations for management of crops. I also farm with my husband near Hillsboro, ND, and we raise 100% GMO crops on our farm. Currently, I am a student at NDSU pursuing a Master of Science in Soil Science.
My response to the draft was to read it and create a letter of response to the ELCA Task Force on Genetics. My response letter outlined 7 specific items that I appreciated, and it also outlined 2 items that I thought the ELCA needed to work on. Continue reading…
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