Why You are Needed

• A point in time survey, done recently, revealed there are at least 406 homeless individuals in Fargo-Moorhead; 79 of these individuals are children under 18 years of age.
• In July, there were 65 families living in vehicles or tents. Some of this is due to flooding and the oil boom in western North Dakota where renters are being pushed out by skyrocketing rents and scarcity of available rental properties.
• The local shelters have gone into overflow mode and are providing shelter for more than 330 homeless individuals on any given night.

In late November 2011, churches began a conversation with health officials from across the community, local agencies and homeless shelter officials about how the crisis can be managed in the coming months (January-March), which were deemed the most crucially brutal weather months in our region.

Host Churches Needed

In early December, the following plan was developed: From January 1 – March 31, interested churches in the Fargo-Moorhead area will begin to help local homeless shelters provide a warm safe place for up to 25 overflow guests. The churches will sign up to host overflow guests on a rotating weekly basis (Sunday night – Saturday night) from 9:00 pm – 7:00 am. The weekly site will NOT be publicized.

The local homeless shelters will pre-screen and select up to 25 guests per night to be transferred to the local church site. These individuals will be single men and women so families can stay together at the shelter, which will provide continuity and stability for homeless children. Individuals who have been using alcohol, or have a history of violence or serious mental health issues will not be sent to church host sites. If there is a greater need, discussion of a second host site opening will occur.

Church Responsibility

The host church will be responsible for light snacks, restrooms, smoking locations (outside of building), and decide which areas will be open to their guests. Beds and linens have been purchased and/or donated by local businesses. The host sites will need to designate a coordinator or coordinators for their site.

Food

• Morning: Granola bar and Juice box
• Evening: Bottled water and individually wrapped single-serve items (preferably with protein), such as peanut butter crackers, cheese & crackers, peanuts, and pretzels

By taking the minimalist approach, the focus can remain on meeting the need for a warm place to stay while keeping people connected to the available agencies to try to move homeless individuals into the system to get them into jobs, apartments, etc., with the goal of getting them out of homelessness.

In the event of a blizzard warning, the host site should have supplies for up to 25 people for 1-2 days.

Beds/Linens

Local companies have donated air mattress beds and linens. Flannel blankets will be provided by HERO. The host church will be required to store the air beds during the week they are the host site; the bed linens and blankets will need to be laundered daily. Ideally a commercial laundry service in a business would be able to assist or volunteers could take linens to the laundry and/or home to wash the linens.

Transportation

Community organizations are working with interested church sites to provide a bus from the shelter to the church each evening and from the church to the shelter each morning. A grant proposal is in the works to hire and train two temporary drivers to cover the costs of a driver’s salary and gas for January-March. Donations will be needed up front to cover the cost of gas and salaries until the grant is received.

Liability Issues

Each site will need to confer with their own insurance provider regarding liability issues.

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to provide a ministry of presence during the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. for up to 25 guests, who will be shuttled from the shelter to church. Volunteers can choose from 4, 8 or 12 hour shifts; the shifts are: 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., 11:30 p.m.-4:30 a.m. and 4:00-7:30 a.m.; however, a volunteer can choose to work the entire night. Four volunteers are needed each shift (2 men/2 women) who will be awake and on duty through the night. This will give our guests the sense of security they need to rest well. The church host sites will also need volunteers from 7-9 a.m. to clean the sleeping area.

The current homeless shelters need assistance from 6:30-9:30 p.m. to get the shelter ready for the evening by putting down mattresses, etc., for overflow guests at each site. Volunteers are also needed at these sites from 9:30- 11:30 a.m. to provide oversight for individuals preparing to shower.

Other non-training required volunteer roles will also be available, such as preparing and serving snacks and logistical support. Volunteers need to attend a training session to be equipped for this practical ministry of presence and care.

Training

Volunteers will need to attend one training session provided by the Fargo-Moorhead Area Coalition for the Homeless Persons, American Red Cross Minn-Kota Chapter, and personnel from the local shelters. These sessions will help educate churches on how to run an emergency shelter and working with people in crisis. Taining sessions will be added as necessary. All training will be at 1st United Methodist Church, 906 1st Ave. S. Fargo. No pre-registration is required.

To volunteer call FirstLink at 211 or 701-235-7335 (SEEK) or sign up online

• Follow FM Sheltering Churches on facebook

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I want to start off the New Year by expressing my gratitude for you, for the partnership we share in the Gospel, and for your prayers. Most everywhere I go, people tell me that they pray for the work of our synod. This is greatly appreciated more than you know. Also, I want to thank you for your continued financial support of all of our shared ministries in a less than ideal year, especially for our farming communities.

During our 2011 synod assembly, many expressed concern regarding the ministries that would receive less financial support due to budget cuts. Many have gone the “extra mile” for our regional ministries, some designating specific ministries, others wanting to support all that received less. Thank you! Some congregations and individuals have given above and beyond what they had planned and for this, all of these ministries are grateful. For those of you wanting to make sure that the work of our church continues, there is still time to make a difference.

Any funds that you would like to apply to help us reach our 2011 mission goal can still be submitted to our office postmarked on or before January 31, 2012. They can either go towards general mission support or to one/all of our “extra mile” for regional ministry partners if you choose.

As of Tuesday, January 17, we are still $130,000 from reaching our 2011 mission goal. Lutheran Campus ministry of ND will receive $50,000 less than last year even if we reach our goal; Luther Seminary $20,000 less.

If you would like to make a difference, either as a congregation or as an individual, please know that it will greatly appreciated.

Serving on your behalf as bishop,
Pr. Bill Rindy

Download Bulletin Insert: A Word from the Bishop

Rebuild requires some skilled volunteers and some less skilled to assist the skilled volunteers. Start forming your teams today and call 218-443-4970 to schedule with the volunteer coordinator in Minot.

You can download the forms and send them to LDRvolunteer@lssnd.org

Make a difference in the lives of those waiting to make their house a home again!

This summer communities across North Dakota experienced the power of flooding water. As they rebuild and recover, you can help by joining together to provide a powerful Flood of Love.

Resources related to flood recovery and response, including information about volunteer coordination, spiritual care during disaster, ways to give financially to support recovery efforts, and much more are available at wndsynod.org

» Download Letter: Help rebuild Minot

Re-rooting in God’s Mission is a renewal journey and process for congregations seeking to move from maintenance to mission and from survival to striving.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Olivet Lutheran Church – Fargo, ND

About the Journey:

Re-rooting in God’s Mission is a process designed to unfold over an 18 to 24 month period of time. The process involves four or more Saturday equipping events (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) sprinkled throughout these months. These equipping events will revolve around listening to God through prayer, scripture, each other, our neighbors, and three key ingredients for congregational 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

(an ELCA research study identified these 3 key ingredients for renewal)

This process of renewal seeks to engage and involve the whole congregation. It begins and continues with prayer and in-depth engagement with God’s word. A team of at least four, including pastor, selected by the congregation and pastor, attend the training opportunities in order to be equipped to engage their congregation in a renewal process focusing on:

• Attending to God in prayer and scripture
• Accompanying one another in following Jesus and being the church
• Asserting and agreeing on some mission action and implementing it
• Acting on the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor and the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations, using holy mission experiments
• Assessing and learning from setbacks and successes

The illustration (below), attempts to describe the cyclical, ebb and flow nature of this congregational renewal journey being facilitated by our Synods’ Renewal Team.

Preparing for the Journey:

• Prayer and discussion with congregational leaders involving an overview of the process and suggestions for how prayer and conversation might actually happen in the congregation
• Congregation commits to taking journey and allocates $300 to cover costs (e.g. materials, meals, etc.)
• Congregation and pastor assemble a team (at least four, including pas- tor) to accompany their congregation and shepherd the process
• Congregation’s team enters into a time of prayer and reflection on the Book of Acts in preparation for the first equipping event on February 25, 2012

Teams attending can expect to:

• Be immersed in prayer and God’s word
• Receive tools, best practices, resources, and be equipped to utilize and adapt them to their congregation’s context
• Be accompanied by a coach throughout the whole journey
• Receive additional training as needed, tailored to specific issues along the way

Registration Deadline: February 10, 2012

For more information contact: Pastor Keith Zeh @ 218-299-4447 or keith.zeh@elca.org

Download brochure: ReRooting in God’s Mision info

The “stealth God” flies under the radar once more, refusing to powerfully assert Lordship, appearing once again under the form of a servant. In the midst of all that clamors for our attention, Jesus patiently and quietly comes to us in the needs of our neighbors… in our need for the Prince of Peace.

What do you need this year? Chances are that it is something which money cannot buy. I have several needs, the first of which is to express gratitude. Thank you for being part of the Body of Christ for me and for all who have needed you this past year. Your support through prayer, kind words of encouragement, and of sharing of your God-given blessings have blessed not only me, but thousands across the world. I am thankful for the “daily bread” which God gives to us all… today let us receive it with thanksgiving.

I also need hope. So do you.

When centenarians, those over 100 years on this earthly journey, are asked about their secret to longevity, it always centers on hope. God has a promised future for us and for this so-loved world. May this fill us all with hope.

May our God, in mysterious ways, grant you what you need this Christmas. May God grant you the eyes of faith to both see and receive it.

Gratefully serving as your Bishop,
Pr. Bill Rindy

“Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.”
- Philip Brooks, Stanza 3, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
- Romans 15:13, ESV

Download Bulletin Insert: Bishop Rindy’s Christmas Greeting 2011

In addition, Pastor Terry and/or other synod pastoral staff may be available (by appointment) to meet in the Valley City office during the week. To schedule an appointment, simply call the main synod office at 701-232-3381, or if you are in the Valley City area, simply stop by for a cup of coffee.

The address is:

160 2nd St NW
Valley City, ND
(map)

Thank you, Dave Bjornson!

Messiah’s initial project produced 239 dresses and 51 britches (shorts) for boys. It began with gathering supplies, spending time together (or at home during the winter months), and producing the garments in love. The youth at Messiah tie-dyed donated white pillowcases. This became a multi-generational project for the church.

God used the hands of volunteers at Messiah, and the congregation was graced with beautiful clothing hanging on clotheslines in the sanctuary. The Hour of Worship televised service from Messiah Lutheran allowed us the opportunity to share this project with the viewers. We received donations of binding, elastic, ribbons, pillowcases, and money from people in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pennsylvania and Canada. More importantly God worked through the Hour of Worship to share the excitement of this project, with 59 other churches contacting Messiah’s Parish Nurse, Sandi Kimmet, RN, forinformation on how to implement the project at their churches. God’s Hands led the hands of this congregation to reach out in an even greater way.

Sandi has maintained contact with Rachel O’Neill, the director of Little Dresses for Africa. She learned that some of the dresses from Messiah were sent to Haiti with medical volunteers following the earthquake and some were sent to Malawi for orphans who were left without clothing. These clothing items are light weight, easy to roll and pack up. This is a benefit for international travelers. God’s work. Our hands.

[The Messiah Health Ministry Team is planning on repeating the project in 2012. Sandi notes that this is an easy, short-term creative project and creates beautiful work to share with God's children in the world. The next "Pillowcase Sewing/Bandage Rolling Bee" will be held at Messiah on February 11, 2012 from 9am-3pm in the Activity Room. If you would like to hear more about this project, to have a speaker at your church or to ask any questions, please call for the Faith Community/Parish Nurse at Messiah Lutheran, 237-6770.]

» Download: God in Full View Nov 2011

God in Full View!

Gratitude

We are in a season when we take time to reflect on God’s goodness. There is much to trigger such awareness. As a synod, we just celebrated the ordination of our 14th seminary graduate. Should we be thankful for: The families who served as faith incubators? The congregations who nurtured the faith? The Bible camps, Lutheran colleges, and campus ministries that challenged and strengthened them for growth and service in God’s so loved world? The seminaries and congregations who honed their skills and gifts for ministry? The candidacy committees who provided guidance and encouragement? The congregations who called them to serve, seeing God’s Spirit at work in their lives?

Yes! There is so much we do together for which we can be thankful. At the synod assembly, many of the faces I saw reminded me of the good work we have done together over the past years. God has raised up so many faithful lay leaders in congregations, it is truly our privilege to serve alongside of you.

Mission

It is also a season of making mission plans, of seeing how we will continue to be about God’s work through our hands in 2012. This leads to a thank you and a challenge. Thank you for your mission support which allows us to do all of the above and so much more. The challenge comes when we find ourselves reducing our support of these key ministries at the very time we need them most. As you and your congregation plan your mission support for 2012, prayerfully consider increasing your support for our shared ministries. Many of the good things we do together are at risk due to our flat or reduced support. It is my sincere hope that you have experienced the faithfulness our staff and synod council have exercised during challenging times.

In this season, it is not enough to say “thank you” to God for all of the blessings entrusted to our management. It is critical that our lives, the way we live out our gratitude, reflect the one who has blessed us to be a blessing. Thank you for being such a blessed and blessing people!

Your brother in Christ,

Bill Rindy

“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…” Philippians 1:3-5

Download Bulletin Insert: A Word from  the Bishop Nov 2011

As a parish pastor, one is sometimes asked to be with a family when a loved one is to be disconnected from life support. If the person is a donor, the family is asked if they would be willing to honor the wishes of their loved one by donating his/her organs.

In June, Zion Lutheran Church, Oriska, experienced a church building fire from which very little was able to be saved. While they could have simply closed their church and joined other area congregations, the members felt compelled to rebuild; not for their sake, but for the sake of the Gospel and their 23 active Sunday School children.

Meanwhile, Blanchard Lutheran Church, Blanchard, lived and served as a congregation for over seventy-five years. Because of local demographics in their rural community, they decided that their mission was complete and that it was time to close.

Fire at Zion Lutheran Church in Oriska, ND - June 2011

Following the fire at Zion, good conversation around how Blanchard could help Zion happened with the Blanchard leadership. While it didn’t work to move their church building to Oriska, they continued the discussion.

When the members of Zion were working on their insurance settlement, they realized they would only be able to afford the shell of their new building. So… they called up the leadership from Blanchard Lutheran to see if they would be willing to donate some of their worship furnishings for Zion’s new building.

Would it be OK if we got the pews? Sure! How about the altar, baptismal font, pulpit and lectern? Sure! The organ? The piano? Sound system? Windows? Sure! As they walked down to the basement… the tables? The chairs? Plates? Silverware? Fridge? Stove? Dishwasher? Sure! How about the broom and the dustpan? Sure!

The closing service at Blanchard was powerful. Representatives from Zion were there. During the prayers of thanksgiving at the close of the service, both presidents from Zion and Blanchard came forward for the laying on of hands. Prayers were shared, thanking God for the proclamation of the Gospel, for new life given in baptisms, and for those fed at the table. It was a powerful moment.

Blanchard Lutheran, in its closing, gave new life to Zion Lutheran. While the closing was sad, it was also the most hope-filled closing of which I’ve been a part. Blanchard Lutheran Church was an organ donor— and a piano, pew, pulpit, plate, and even a broom and dustpan donor! Blanchard gave away its “life” for the sake of the Gospel, which gave hope not only to the good folks at Zion Lutheran in Oriska, but also to those who let go of their “stuff” that it might continue doing what it was originally created to do: provide for the praise of the Living God.

Tradition is the living faith of the dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.
– Pelikan

By giving up the past, both congregations are living into God’s future. This not only gives me great hope, but also the people of Zion and Blanchard. I hope it gives you hope, too.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
-Romans 8:28 NRSV

» Download: Organ Donors Bulletin Insert (download .pdf file)

reprinted with permission, Amy Dalrymple, The Forum, 09/28/11

Dan Faust raved Tuesday that he had a problem every farmer dreams about. Faust had a squash harvest so plentiful that he ran out of boxes. The 28 tons of produce – which he donated to the Great Plains Food Bank on Tuesday – took less than two hours to harvest with the help of more than 200 Valley City State University students and other volunteers. “If I had known that you were going to be as efficient as you were, I would have planted twice or three times as much,” Faust told the students.

Faust, a 76-year-old retired pastor, decided three years ago that he would grow extra squash for the Great Plains Food Bank after hearing about an increased demand at North Dakota food pantries. It started with Faust hauling a few pickup loads of squash to the food bank. The next year, he expanded his project and planted an acre of squash on his farm north of Valley City. Friends and volunteers harvested about 10 tons of produce for the food bank. Last winter, Faustcalled the food bank and asked “What’s the limit? How much can you handle?”

After hearing there was no limit – and getting a pledge that Valley City State University would help harvest – Faust doubled his project and planted two acres of squash. He chose squash because he knew it grows well at his farm and because it can be stored for months.

“Picking is the bottleneck,” Faust said. The students worked in teams led by “crew bosses” to comb the field for squash. Many used an assembly line method with some students picking the vegetables while others tossed and stacked them. “It’s fun,” said freshman Kelsey Awender of Oakes. “It’s only a couple hours of our time, and it helps other people out.” Bobcats loaded the 1,100-pound boxes into three trucks from the Great Plains Food Bank. The students also harvested potatoes, onions, carrots, beets and cabbage that Faust grew.

The produce will be available for nearly 300 agencies in North Dakota and Clay County, with enough left over to share with Minnesota, said Linda Sailer, director of product resources for the food bank. Freshman Bridget Walsh of Big Stone City, S.D., said she was impressed with Faust’s efforts. “He’s amazing to grow all of these,” Walsh said. The freshmen are part of a curriculum called Living to Learn/Learning to Live that involves a large community service project. “There are a lot of powerful learning opportunities that go along with this,” said VCSU President Steve Shirley. Local volunteer group Faith in Action of Mercy Hospital helped organize the effort. Sailer reminded students to think about the people who need the squash they harvested. “The communities being served are where a lot of these students were from,” Sailer said.

Harvest by the numbers:

• 57,423: Total pounds of produce
• 54,255: Pounds of squash
• 2,755: Pounds of pumpkins
• 413: Pounds of mixed vegetables
• 201: Students
• 2: Hours of harvesting
• 273: Agencies served
• 99: Communities benefiting

» Download: harvest-of-giving (download pdf file)

God in Full View!