Summary of the 2023 Synod Assembly

On June 3-4, 2023, the Eastern North Dakota Synod, ELCA gathered together at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, ND for the thirty-sixth annual Synod Assembly under the theme of "Equip." There were a total of 293 people in attendance (176 Lay Voting Members; 85 Rostered Minister Voting Members; 32 Visitors). The business items included hearing reports from officers, adopting the 2025 Synod Mission Plan (budget), election of a new Synod Vice President (Dr. Elna Solvang), elections for Synod Council positions and committees, and adopting four resolutions (some were amended). 

Participants also heard the State of the Synod from Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth and State of the ELCA from our churchwide representative, Rev. Lamont Wells. We had two uplifting worship services with an emphasis on our Outdoor Ministries and Campus Ministries at Opening Worship and installation of our Synod Vice President at Closing Worship. There were three workshop sessions with a total of ten different options. Three Equip Experiences included learning about and practicing FAITH5 with Pr. Amy Kippen, a Hand-Stretching Exercise by our Portico Representative, and Lectio Divina with Bishop Tessa. Rostered Ministers and Congregations celebrating significant anniversaries were acknowledged, along with naming the congregations that have experienced Holy Closure in the past year. 

A "Food for All Block Party" was held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Saturday evening where financial gifts and food donations were collected for food ministries across the synod. A total of $3550 was raised.

Videos from Synod Assembly

• Opening Worship
• Closing Worship
• State of the Synod - Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth
• State of the ELCA - Rev. Lamont Wells

On June 4-5, 2022, over 350 people from across the Eastern North Dakota Synod gathered for the 2022 Synod Assembly at the Holiday Inn, Fargo. It was a wonderful weekend of hearing stories of being called to serve, moving worship, updates and information about the EaND and ELCA, attending to business, and opportunities to network and connect.

Videos from Synod Assembly

Opening Worship Service - Saturday, June 4, 2022

State of the Synod - Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth

State of the ELCA - Rev. Robin Brown

Called to Serve Our Community

Called to Serve through Advocacy

Called to Serve the World

Closing Worship Service - Sunday, June 5, 2022

Offering for Assembly

We collected $10,188.25 at Synod Assembly! This year's offering will be evenly split between two ministries: The Neighborhood Church and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, North Dakota Field Office.

Lutheran World Relief Kits

250 Personal Care Kits were assembled at Synod Assembly! Thank you to everyone who collected donations and assembled the kits. Extra items were donated to local non-profits, including Churches United.

Voting Member Materials

Voting Member Packet - Combined (all documents)

Synod Assembly Agenda

Rules of Procedure 2022

Proposed 2023 Mission Plan

Resolutions

2021 EaND Synod Assembly Minutes

How to Participate in a Meeting (Roberts Rules)

How to participate in a meeting (Robert Rules overview)- ZOOM recording