Two free DVDs have been designed for use in congregations containing some of the wonderful videos submitted this summer in the “God’s work. Our hands.” video contest (external link). For ease of use, they have been organized in two ways: categorized by theme and organized by state. The specific videos shown at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly have been identified and the two ELCA TV spots, “Hope (external link)” and “Dignity (external link)” have also been included. Continue reading…
New Ministry Possibilities
Sudanese Worship
For over seven years, Fargo, ND has been receiving Sudanese refugees who came fleeing the deadly violence of war-torn Sudan. Some were Christians in need of a place to worship in their native language. First Lutheran Church (external link) opened its doors to provide safe refuge for worship and fellowship to the newly arriving refugees.
The Sudanese community at First Lutheran has been worshiping for over three years and has the potential to grow significantly. They have identified Jacob Mayen as their pastor. Jacob is longing to share the gospel with even more of the estimated 2,000 Sudanese people residing in the FM area. Support from First Lutheran Church, other congregations, and the synod will enable Jacob to serve in a fuller capacity as a ministry leader while he accomplishes his seminary education through the TEEM program. Continue reading…
Congratulations to the three Eastern North Dakota congregations who were among the 10 congregational finalists (external link) in the ELCA “God’s work. Our hands.” video contest (external link)! Please view the following videos from Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo; Martin’s Lutheran Church, Casselton; and First Lutheran Church, Fargo. Continue reading…
I grew up in a family of six kids. At times it was wonderful, at other times it was frustrating. It is no wonder that “family” is one of the metaphors Jesus used to describe those called to follow him, along with other scriptural metaphors of “body”, “temple”, “priesthood”, etc.
In just over a month the churchwide assembly (external link) – one of the ways in which we are ELCA together – will commence in Minneapolis. There are things about this assembly that will be wonderful: worship, Bible study, contemplating full communion with the United Methodists, and getting to know other members of the family/body/temple/priesthood. Other parts of the assembly may have the capacity to cause frustration: wrangling over rules, voting on the recommended social statement, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust, along with voting on proposed changes in rostering policies. Continue reading…
by Rev. Keith Zeh, Director for Evangelical Mission, EaND & NW MN Synods
Cooperative ministry is happening among many congregations in many places throughout the Eastern North Dakota Synod territory. According to a report given by the ELCA Research and Evaluation Department, 63.8% of the congregations in the synod were in multiple point parishes in the year 2005. This percentage has most likely grown in the past couple of years, and will continue to grow in the years to come. Continue reading…
A new DVD, The Eastern North Dakota “US” – Stories of Shared Ministry, is now available thanks to generous people willing to share their talents. This DVD highlights some of the good work happening in the Eastern North Dakota Synod.
The two main stories on the title page of the DVD convey the mission of the Synod and that of the greater ELCA. There are 12 chapter story videos detailing some of the ministries of the Eastern North Dakota Synod. Enjoy viewing them. We want you to know the ‘Synod Stories’ to feel good about enthusiastically supporting our work together. Each congregational president has received a copy of this DVD for use in their local congregation.
Watch online…
How to use the EaND “Us” DVD (Download .pdf file)
Continue reading…
By EaND
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Also posted in Announcement, From the Bishop
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Tagged Bible Camp, Bishop Rindy, Call Process, Campus Ministry, Central African Republic, Dacotah O'yate, ELCA, Featured, Lutheran Social Services, Planned Giving, Resource Center, Resources, Seminarians, Synod Endowment, the Project F-M, Youth Ministry
by Shar Gumke, EaND Synod VicePresident
One should never try to take matters into their own hands. God has His own plan. I know this first-hand.
Two years ago as I was busy doing online graduate work, the phone rang and I was asked to consider submitting my name for the ballot of Vice-President of the EaND Synod. My first thoughts were, “I’m not qualified… I barely survived a church council presidency…I don’t even know where the synod office is located.” Continue reading…