As I was contemplating this article, I thought the letter I recently wrote to the people of Our Savior’s Lutheran in Park River for their mission festival applies to most of our congregations. With you in mind this Advent/Christmas season, I share that letter with you…
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. Continue reading…
What I’m about to share with you is not rocket science. It is something we know so deeply that we often forget it is there.
- Hope is an amazing gift of God. It is not something we can generate from within.
- There is a path to hope. We arrive at hope through suffering, perseverance, and finally character.
- Hope comes from a promise made to us.
- The quality of hope is only as good as the ability of the promising one’s ability to fulfill that promise.
- Hope is a sign of God’s presence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
There are many twists and turns along life’s path that can seek to destroy our hope. You know them all too well: disease, damaging weather, tough economic times, and divisions within our families or our congregations. The list could go on and on. Continue reading…
There are many signs of growth and hope happening in the Eastern North Dakota Synod: A new parish, mission events, new excitement for ministry, and a new resource for finding hope whether it’s right in front of you or it remains elusive. Continue reading…
Pres. Golike and Bishop Rindy
Andre Golike, President
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic,
visits Eastern North Dakota Companion Synod
During the week of February 10-15, 2010 President Golike visited eastern North Dakota including Dacotah O’Yate, Park River Bible Camp (external link), Christus Rex campus ministry (external link), rural and city churches. It was a blessing to welcome him to our part of the world.
Download the following PowerPoint presentation or pdf for a few photo highlights from his visit. Please feel free to share this presentation and article with your congregation. Continue reading…
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic is Eastern North Dakota Synod’s companion synod. Hand in hand, Maboko na Maboko, is the loose African translation of “companion synod”. What can we, as people and congregations of eastern North Dakota, do to continue to walk hand in hand with our brothers and sisters in Christ?
The Central African Republic (C.A.R.), located in the heart of Africa, is one of the poorest, least developed countries in the world. It is surrounded by unstable, and sometimes violent countries. Many of its people live daily lives of struggle and bare subsistence; Continue reading…
EaND Synod’s Nov/Dec highlights for church bulletins
In this issue:
- Update from the Bishop
- Letter from Central African Republic Missionaries
» Download and share: November News Snippet Bulletin Insert (download .pdf file)
Continue reading…
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