Synod Endowment Sunday  - September 25, 2011

$1,000,000!!! Milestones:

Do you remember when McDonalds displayed how many hamburgers they had sold on their signs? I remember when it changed to over one billion served. We have our own upcoming milestone in the Eastern North Dakota Synod. Thanks to a visionary leadership initiative that helps reduce the monumental debt facing our pastors, the EaND Synod Endowment Fund was created. Next year, the milestone of $1,000,000 in grants will be reached!

These grants will have gone out to provide scholarships for those called to ministry from our synod; to provide seminary debt reduction for those who serve in our synod; to supplement pensions of pastors serving in lower-paying calls; to provide assistance for rural internships; and to provide money for leadership development.

This is made possible by your generous support of the EaND Synod Endowment Fund.

Endowment Sunday will be September 25, 2011. That means that you’ll, once again, have the opportunity to continue your support. Through the money that is working through the endowment, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of those who serve us.

Thank you once again and keep up the good work!

Bishop Rindy

» Download: Synod Endowment Fund Milestones (download pdf file)

Learn more about the Synod Endowment Fund and download resources for your congregation…

Freed in Christ to Serve was the theme around which we (22 voting members from the synod and myself) gathered, worshiped, deliberated, and prayed as your voting members at Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, Florida August 14-19. During the opening worship, Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson asked the question, “Is this church ready to move forward in mission?” The answer he received at the closing worship on Friday was a resounding, “YES!”

• The Living Into the Future Together (LIFT)task force’s recommendations were received and accepted by the assembly, meaning that:
  • we will evaluate and discuss how we work with social statements, finding appropriate ways to discuss difficult topics in the future;
  • we will consider holding Churchwide Assemblies every three years if the 2013 assembly ratifies the motion;
  • we will explore other types of gatherings focusing on mission and minis try that are non-legislative; and more…
• We launched the ELCA Malaria Campaign to deal with the reality many of our companion synods face in sub-Saharan Africa: a child dies every 45 seconds from malaria.
• Farmers, geneticists, and people suffering from genetic disorders came to the microphone thanking our church for help in dealing with complex social, moral, and ethical questions facing our society around the topic of genetics. The social statement, “Genetics, Faith and Responsibility” was adopted by an over 95% vote.

Along with the budget, several constitutional amendments, resolutions and memorials, we spent time in small group Bible study and gathered as a whole to worship. Pr. Rene Larson, who was a seminary student serving in Haiti with her husband, Ben, when the earthquake hit, gave one of the most powerful sermons I have ever heard. To hear this witness to the Gospel, go the ELCA Churchwide Assembly Videos page and click Friday Holy Communion (13:43 of the video)

Finally, members of Peace Lutheran Church (hit by a category 5 tornado) in Joplin, Missouri presented each synod bishop with a wooden cross made from one of their remaining church beams. They asked us to thank you for your support. Through Lutheran Disaster Response you were there the day after the tornado hit. You are still there. You will be there until the job is finished.

I am grateful to be a part of a church that is able to have conversation around difficult topics, even if we won’t all agree. I’m grateful to be a part of a church that lives in mission beyond its walls, serving the neighbor in need. I continue to be humbled to serve as your bishop in this time of our church’s history.

God is good… all the time!

» Download: ELCA Churchwide Recap

from Bishop Rindy

My sister kept M&M‘s in her glove box as part of her winter survival gear. One day while giving our inquisitive niece a ride, our niece discovered the M&M‘s. “What are these for, Auntie?” she asked with big eyes. “They are for an emergency,” my sister replied with a smile. A few moments later, the little girl stated, “Auntie, I think I‘m having an emergency.”

This phrase is taking on a new meaning as the result of a wonderful project initiated by our sisters and brothers in the Western North Dakota Synod. My great wish is that EVERY member of our synod would have a new thought when they see M&M‘s in the CAR: Mission and Ministry in the Central African Republic.

[ Jump to congregational resources ]

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic (EELRCA) is our companion synod; they minister to and are themselves among the poorest people on earth.

The great news is that we are making a difference. Dianne Billie, who has been to the C.A.R. on our behalf on two separate occasions, sees progress in that country. The president of the EELRCA, Pr. Andre Golike, has expressed sincere thanks for our extra mile gifts which have been used for motorcycles, roofs, schools, scholarships, water projects, clinics and more! We are making a difference.

Wouldn‘t it be awesome if every member of our congregations would take a tube of M&M‘s in the CAR with them, distribute them, fill the M&M tube with quarters ($14), return them to their congregation, and (through the synod) make a huge impact on/for the church in the CAR? (In the Western North Dakota Synod, the project brought in over $54,000!)

While it sounds simple, $14 times 100,000 members would generate $1,400,000!!!!

This would be enough:

• To equip the C.A.R. seminary
• To staff and supply the Emmanuel Clinic in Gallo (the region‘s only hospital)
• To provide spring boxes which supply fresh water for a whole village
• To put roofs on 30 churches (currently waiting)
• To build a Lutheran high school
• To provide basic, Christian education for the 1000‘s of children in the CAR schools

It‘s as easy as M&M‘s in the CAR. Can it possibly be that simple? Could it be that easy, that attainable? The ELCICAR is having an emergency… God is calling them and equipping them and we are part of the solution, the answer to their prayers. Are you up for the challenge?

Mission & Ministry for the Central African Republic is a “sweet deal” 

At the Fall Professional Leadership Conference at Fair Hills in September, the EaND Synod distributed candy boxes of Mini M&M tubes to each congregation. A reproducible bulletin insert is included with the candy which will detail collection information. It is also available for download below.

Congregations will share the sweets with its members. After the M&Ms have been eaten and enjoyed, individuals and families are asked to refill the tube with quarters. Each tube holds $14 worth of quarters.

This special M & M offering of quarters will make a significant impact on children and adults in the Central African Republic. In Bishop Rindy’s article (above) he outlines several positive effects of this project; in addition, your quarters will help: 

• Build schools through the Village Education Project and provide school supplies so children have access to education
• Provide scholarships so young women can receive education and vocational training
• Train new pastors and catechists to share the Good News of Jesus Christ
• Provide clean drinking water to rural villages
• Support youth and young adult ministry, as well as outreach to both urban and very rural areas of the C.A.R.
• Support an agricultural program to double the income of farm families by introducing teams of oxen, replacing hand held hoes

We ask you to enthusiastically embrace this project. Please publicize it in worship bulletins and congregational newsletters. What a creative, fun, and sweet way to help our brothers and sisters in Christ in one of the poorest countries in the world.

Deadline

The deadline for sending in the money collected is December 31, 2011; please send a check payable to EaND Synod with “M&Ms in the CAR” in the memo line.

You are welcome to raise funds for the CAR at any time. You may choose to use the mini M&M tubes some time other than this fall/winter, but for this particular campaign the deadline is Dec 31 and funds will be distributed in January.

Mission and Ministry in the C.A.R.

– It‘s eternally worth it!

Congregational Resources:

• M&Ms in the CAR Bulletin Insert
• M&Ms in the CAR Poster
• M&Ms in the CAR Tube Labels - Avery 5160 labels (30/sheet)

The synod gave each congregation/pastor one box of mini M&M tubes (24 count) to initiate their congregation’s drive. If you did not receive a box for your congregation, please call us at (701) 232-3381. Any additional mini M&M tubes need to be purchased by your congregation. Here are several suggestions where you may purchase tubes:

• Sam’s Club, Fargo – (701) 282-7997
• Sam’s Club, Grand Forks – (701) 795-9449
• Frank McKone Cigar Co, Fargo – (701) 235-4261
• Target, Wal-Mart, grocery stores…

Share Your Story!

Share your M&Ms in the CAR stories with us. We, in turn, would like to share how your congregation embraced the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Central African Republic. Send stories to Kristi at kristi@eandsynod.org

Abundance… if there is one thing Americans are used to it is abundance. This year, it is an abundance of fresh river water and rain. The past two years we experienced some of the most abundant crops and prices Midwestern farmers have ever experienced. We are used to abundance. The funny thing about abundance is that it can be good or bad depending on how it is shared or distributed.

Many of our congregations are celebrating milestone anniversaries this summer. This affords us opportunities to look back and see God’s providence… abundance.

This summer is also a season of ordinations… nine of them by the end of the summer. God has raised up many exceptionally fine leaders for our church… abundance.

Other things can come in abundance as well. As we watch and wait with our sisters and brothers in the Devils Lake basin, Minot and the Souris valley, Bismarck and Mandan, and many other rivers, flooding had made its presence known in abundance… painful abundance.

There are multiple opportunities to let the abundance of God flow through us as we live out being the church. Quilts from people in Devils Lake, who are under chronic stress themselves, brought comfort to the afflicted in Minot. As we dig into our pockets, roll up our sleeves, pray, and encourage we are … servanthood in abundance.

In a recent conversation with Dr. Richard Bliese, President of Luther Seminary, I informed him of the synod’s planned reduction in financial support by $20,000. While this lack of abundance is currently devastating to our regional ministries, we are hopefully looking to restore our giving in the future. Thankfully, the 2011 Synod Assembly moved to establish an Extra Mile fund for these ministries. Dr. Bliese’s response was, “We do not take any support for granted. Please express our appreciation for each and every dollar you are able to share” … an abundance of graciousness and gratitude.

How we handle the abundance God has placed in our hands is not a mathematical problem. The math is so simple that it puts us to shame if we do not give generously. It is primarily a spiritual problem. It is also a matter of trust. We have been working hard to restore trust in the ministries we do together. I do not take your trust or support for granted, either. Thank you for every dollar that allows us to continue to make a difference in God’s so-loved world.

One of the ways in which we are most visibly present is through our social ministry arm, Lutheran Social Services (LSS). I am thankful that Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) (a ministry of LSS) is on the ground responding to disasters all over the state. Without your trust and support, LDR would have closed up shop a year ago. Know that long after the other helping organizations have moved on, you, through LDR, will be there until the job is completed. We are also present through the Great Plains Food Bank (another ministry of LSS) in providing the network for thousands of pounds of food to be distributed to those in need.

We have far more ability to shape the future than we know. The good work we’ve done together for so many years can continue to help God’s kingdom come and God’s will be done in our part of God’s earth. We are compelled, even commanded to continue to make disciples of all nations. Sometimes and in some ways, this is best done together. There are only so many things an individual or even a congregation can do alone.

It is truly a joy to serve you and along side of you and witness God’s abundance through you. There is an abundance of good ministry happening in our synod. One exiting, new ministry is the Congregational Leadership Academy (CLA) which has 26 lay people enrolled, passionate about evangelism. Please check out our website to learn more about the CLA. It is these proactive ministries that give life to our synod. Oh how I long to spend the majority of time to continue to equip the saints of God for ministry in the world.

I have a deep sense that God is providing us a future that claims and trusts God’s abundance. It is God’s deep desire for us to love the Lord our God through loving the neighbor. This needs to be our primary focus. The opportunities we have to serve, pray, and support ought to get our full attention. The opportunities to roll up our sleeves, dig deeper into our pockets, and share are… abundant.

Abundance… as God’s children, we are saved by grace, through faith, not by our works, so that none of us can boast. We face the ultimate question, as my beloved teacher, Dr. Gerhard Forde, used to ask, “Now that you don’t have to do any thing to be saved, what are you going to do?” Every day has an abundance of opportunities to love, to serve, to be the church.

What are you going to do with the abundance God has entrusted to you?

Why don’t we find out together?

» Download: Abundance Bulletin Insert (download .pdf file)

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. Even though water has threatened to destroy their community, the people of God at Zion Lutheran in Churchs Ferry are seeking to find a way to further the mission of God’s Church, even as they are facing the difficult task of bringing the ministry at that place to a close. The members of Maple-Sheyenne Lutheran are looking to help NDSU’s campus ministry even as they are canoeing in-and-out of their own homes. These, along with many others throughout our synod, are inspiring me and others as they keep the mission of God in front of them. Imagine that.

The “Extra Mile” continues through May. Thank you so much for going the extra mile for the sake of our ministry partners! We will wrap up this journey in May, with our mission partner ministries continuing on strong because of your support. Some goals have been reached (motorcycles for the C.A.R.), while others are ongoing. You are making a difference both locally and globally. In addition, keep Diane Billie and pastors Randy Schlecht and Chad Brucklacher in your prayers as they represent us in the Central African Republic. Upon their return, consider inviting them to share their stories of what God is doing through our ministry together.

Financial realities continue to shape the way in which we do ministry together. Our synod assembly will be very important in the life of our synod for the future. Keep our church, our synod, and our synod council in prayer. God is continuing to shape us into the image of Jesus. I look forward to the day when Christ is fully formed in all of us.

Even in the midst of many challenging things, God’s work through our hands is so evident. I thank God for the privilege of serving along side of you all; for the staff who serves you so well; for the grace and mercy you have shown me as I seek to live out this call faithfully. God is good; all of the time.

» Download: The Lenten Journey Continues Bulletin Insert (download .pdf file)

There are extremes in life which cause one to appreciate the amazing giftedness of life. They often come under the forms of opposites: pain/pleasure; toil/leisure; death/resurrection to eternal life. Cloudy days make us appreciate the sunny days more. Winter causes us to hope for the days of summer; the heat of summer causes us to reflect fondly on winter. These contrasts in life make life interesting for some, frustrating for others.

This month’s reflection follows this juxtaposition of our lives; times are good/difficult, times are filled with joy/sadness and in all of it… God is there ahead of us.

During my time with the Conference of Bishops, one of the tasks we undertake is the assigning of seminary graduates to the synods of our region. As Terry, Kari, and I pour over the paperwork of seminary students, we look for candidates who would be good fits for our congregations; we are also mindful of our congregations being good fits for our candidates. That’s when it works best, when both congregation and pastor are blessed by serving together. I am so happy to share with you that seven such seminary graduates are coming to our synod. Each and every one of them brings unique gifts and experiences to the congregations they will serve: two are a clergy couple; two of them did their internships in our synod; two of them are single, the others married. Each one of them has been called, equipped, and now sent by God to serve… I can’t wait to see how this all sorts out! With the Holy Spirit leading and guiding congregations and pastors, it is always a joy to see the Spirit’s handiwork.

But, life is a mixture of those joy-filled times and the difficult times. And, on the other end of the spectrum, our Synod Council Executive Committee has been engaged in difficult discussion surrounding our mission plan. The financial amount each congregation has committed to share is less than the mission plan we approved together at our last synod assembly. Adjustments must be made. The stress level of making cuts is not healthy for our church and all of the mission partners involved. There are no easy cuts… and they can’t be shallow.

As you already know, there are only three ways to balance a budget/mission plan: on the expense side or on the income side, or a combination of the two. I’m not entirely sure that all of us together want to be the church in the ways in which constantly cutting expenses would shape us. I’m also not sure if we are willing to share our relative abundance the way in which we have been blessed these past years.

In my state of the synod address from last year, I told you that I was more interested in seeing the synod we are becoming, rather than looking back at the synod we have been. Is the future hopeful or is it scary? That depends on how we live in to it together as God’s people.

God continues to raise up faithful leaders, both lay and clergy. God continues to bless, equip, and send us all. When the Holy Spirit gets into the mix, anything can happen. I think it is not only fun to watch, but know I am blessed to get to roll up my sleeves and help make the future happen. You are blessed to do the same. And, what a privilege/challenge, joy/difficulty, it is… especially since God is in the midst of it all!

Who will we be? I can’t wait to find out.

» Download: The Amazing Giftedness of Life Bulletin Insert (download .pdf file)

With the updated flood forecasts, the probability of flooding in several regions of North Dakota is rising. Here are a few suggestions of what you can do to prepare to minimize your loss during a natural disaster:

• Move snow away from your house’s foundation.
• Prepare a Family Emergency Plan: Identify an out-of-town contact who can communicate with separated family members; buy a cellphone or prepaid phone card to call family during an emergency; and subscribe to local alert services.
• Gather financial information (checks, saving books, cash, insurance policies, etc.) and store in a waterproof bag.
• Gather important papers, documents and irreplaceable family memorabilia and store in an airtight plastic waterproof container.
• Store photo negatives off-site such as in a safe deposit box.
• Make a list of valuables and take pictures of items and rooms. This is a valuable resource should your property sustain damage.
• Make a contingency plan for lodging outside of the path of danger.
• Keep a basic emergency supply kit (external link) accessible.
  This kit should include: 
  • water
  • 3-day supply of food and snacks
  • flashlight
  • NOAA Weather Radio and batteries
  • first aid kit
  • prescription medications
  • change of clothing
  • bedding and pet supplies
• If necessary, plug and seal floor drains, toilets, and sinks in lower level of your home to prevent water backup.

To download a kit checklist and get more information on disaster readiness, visit www.ready.gov (external link)

For more flood preparedness information, visit www.ldr.org (external link)

A Message from the Bishop:

For the past 15 years, Lutheran Disaster Response (external link) has led the way in disaster response and recovery in North Dakota. Whether it was helping residents recover from the tornado in Northwood; responding to floodwaters in the Red River Valley, around Devils Lake or the Missouri River; Hands Across North Dakota; drought recovery in southwestern North Dakota—this program of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota (external link) has worked with local pastors and community leaders to identify needs… organized the volunteers… worked in tandem with the Great Plains Food Bank, another program of Lutheran Social Services of ND, to provide emergency supplies… led coordination of other charitable organizations with government agencies to assure the wise stewardship of resources… and assisted with connecting people who had unmet disaster needs to the proper resources.

As a Lutheran, you can be proud of this tradition of service carried out in your name for all people of North Dakota, regardless of age, gender, religion or national origin.

Today we are facing a critical convergence of events—the possibility of major flooding and the potential repeat of statewide flooding as in 2009. Along with this, a shortfall of funding will keep Lutheran Disaster Response from providing any meaningful disaster response this spring.

Lutheran Disaster Response needs our help. Their absence would create enormous hardship for any part of our state afflicted by a natural disaster this year. We ask you to prayerfully consider making a donation, in any amount, to aid in this critical need. All funds will go to pay direct expenses for statewide disaster preparedness, response and recovery of Lutheran Disaster Response. A portion of these funds may also be used for direct client assistance.

Lutherans can help lead the way for the continued ability to shed Christ’s light and love on those most vulnerable. Thank you for your prayerful reflection on this request. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Bishop Bill Rindy

How You Can Help:

• Donate Online (external link)
• Donate By Mail
  Make checks payable to Lutheran Disaster Response and mail to:
  PO Box 389 – Fargo, ND 58107
• Volunteer (external link)
  Call 1-800-366-9841 or email LDRvolunteer@lssnd.org

The whole Arab world is experiencing a major shift before our very eyes. As Epiphany gives way to Lent, like Jesus, we set our faces towards Jerusalem. Jesus’ world is about to be turned upside down.

On so many levels and in so many ways, we have been and continue to make a difference. We are living in a time when not only will we be determining who we will be as individuals, but as congregation, synod, and churchwide as well. On all four levels of what it means to be church we will be dealing with living with abundance in a hungry world. We will have the opportunity to make a difference.

Will Lutheran Disaster Response be there when we, whichever disaster we experience, need them/us to be there? We have the opportunity to make a difference. The ways in which we will be congregation are being explored in numerous area ministry conversations. The ways in which we have done ministry together as synod continue to be examined and prioritized by our synod council. Is it possible that Jesus works best in a world that has been turned upside down? (Personally, there are times when I wish that everything would be easy, good, and simple. However, there is no resurrection to eternal life without first dying with Christ. So we press on…)

Some things remain the same: seminary graduates get nervous as they are assigned to synods and begin interviewing with congregations; congregations continue with call processes seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance as they enter new chapters; members of the Body of Christ seek wisdom from God’s Word as to how we can be faithful in our generation.

Setting one’s face toward Jerusalem takes commitment, courage, and confidence. Commitment is needed to get us all the way to Jerusalem, lest we get distracted along the way. Courage is needed to face the cross we know awaits us, just as surely as it awaited Jesus. Confidence in the promises of God Almighty to be with us and in us every step of the way supply all of the above and more for God knows all we need.

So even if the world gets turned upside down, from one perspective, it just may be God’s way of preparing us, prodding us, and ultimately preventing us from going astray.

In some strange way, all of the above fits together. As we journey together, let us covenant to keep our eyes on Jesus as he leads the way. Let us keep our faces set toward Jerusalem, even as the cross stares us in the face, until we cross together to the other side of the tomb.

Thank God for the Church, that we might make this journey together.

Greetings in the name of our revealed Savior, Jesus the Christ, this Epiphany season!

Epiphany is a word for things revealed. God is always in the process of revealing many things to us. I give thanks to God for your faithful support of all of our shared ministries, even when times can be challenging.

Over 121 congregations have met or exceeded their intended financial mission support for our partnerships. Countless others roll up their sleeves and give of themselves to make Christ known in what they do. While we will still need to make some difficult decisions about what we will or won’t be doing together in the future, I give thanks to you for electing such a devoted, wise synod council. Hold them in prayer as they make decisions on behalf of all of us.

Even in the light of difficulties, God continues to work, to reveal… God continues to raise up faithful leaders, both lay and ordained, to serve in God’s kingdom. There is so much to see if we just look around. God is good… all the time.

For this, for you, and for all that God is revealing this season we continue to give thanks.

Thanks be to God!

» Download: A Word from Bishop Rindy (January 2011) (download .pdf file)

Grace and peace to you in this Advent season!

I wish I could be with you on this special day. The longer I serve as your Bishop, the more I understand the reason the Apostle Paul always gave thanks for those with whom he was in mission. There are many ways in which people can respond to challenges. Many will choose to focus inwards, only taking care of themselves first. I am so glad to hear of your focus outward in/on mission. It has been said that the church is the only organization on earth that exists for the sole purpose of its non-members. While Jesus is preparing a place for all who belong to Him, he has so much more for us to do while we are on this Advent journey.

Over the past years, your faithful support of our shared ministries has impacted God’s so-loved world. Some of them are quite visible: Bible campers, students in campus ministry, seminary students preparing to serve as pastors, missionaries in the field, synod staff assisting congregations, etc.; some in ways that will only be made clear in eternity. These “first mile” ministries are greatly dependent upon your willingness to support them through your annual, synod mission support.

Each generation needs to learn the lessons learned by previous generations as to how these are “our” ministries, not “them.” Over the past years, we’ve begun to lose sight of the critical nature of our involvement in God’s broader mission. The 80′s was called the “me” decade, influencing a whole generation to think of themselves first. In contrast, Jesus calls us to lose our lives for His sake, for only then do we truly find them.

In this Advent season, as we continue to prepare for the coming of Christ, I have challenged the people of our synod to go the “extra mile” for mission. This is actually quite simple: if each worshiper (not member) were to give an “extra” $6 a month ($72 for the year) to our shared ministries, much of the support that used to be there for key ministry partners would be restored. Of the additional $2.1 million that would be generated through these combined gifts, over $1 million would go to the Central African Republic for Lutheran elementary schools, a Lutheran high school, seminary education for students God is raising up, expansion of our medical clinic, roofs for churches we promised 20 years ago, and motorcycles/ambulances. $750,000 would go to fund the missionaries and to fight malaria and hunger. The remaining $250,000 would support our more local partners mentioned above.

As with each one of us, your role is critical. Without you, there is no us. While each of us can try to walk this Advent journey alone, there are some things much easier to do together. This brings me back to why I am so thankful for you. Your partnership and presence with me and the rest of “us” on the journey encourages us all to finish the journey together.

… as you can tell, God has a purpose for the Church on earth. We have a great commission to make disciples of all nations and a great commandment to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. There are many such ways in which we do this. I am thankful for you as we do so much together.

May God grant you and your family an Advent filled with anticipation and a Christmas where not only are you blessed, but that you get to be a blessing to others, all to the glory of God!

Have a blessed Christmas!
Bishop Bill Rindy
Eastern North Dakota Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America