synod assembly resources
synod assembly 2025
June 7-8, 2025 + Holiday Inn, Fargo
The Eastern North Dakota Synod will gather in Assembly on June 7-8, 2025 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, ND under the theme of “Grace Upon Grace.” Our keynote speaker and churchwide representative will be the Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA Director of Congregational Stewardship. The EaND Synod Assembly will begin at 9:00am on Saturday and end after lunch on Sunday (approximately 1:30pm).
DOCUMENTS:
Voting Member Materials
- Full Voting Member Packet
- 00 Voting Member Packet Cover
- 01 Table of Contents
- 02 Synod Assembly Agenda
- 03 Rules of Procedure
- 04 Sample Ballot
- 05 Synod Secretary Election
- 06 Synod Treasurer Election
- 07 2024 EaND Synod Assembly Minutes
- 08 Proposed Mission Plan
- 09 Letter from Synod Council on Finances
- 10 Resolution 1 Compensation Guidelines
- 11 Synod Leadership List
- 12 Conference Meeting Spaces
- 13 Workshop Descriptions and Locations
- 14 Little Lutherans at Assembly
- 15 Pre-Assembly Events: Fresh Expressions
- 16 Creation Celebration and Offering
- 17 Compensation Guidelines 2026 - Draft
Reports to the Synod Assembly
- Full Packet - Reports to the Synod Assembly
- 00 Reports Cover Page
- 01 Table of Contents
- 02 Secretary's Report of the Synod Council's Actions
- 03 Treasurer's Report
- 04 Committee Reports - Audit and Candidacy
- 05 Rostered Minister and Congregation Milestones and Changes
- 06 Bishop Eaton Letter to Synod Assemblies
- 07 Portico Benefit Services
- 08 Mission Investment Fund
- 09 ELCA Federal Credit Union
- 10 Region 3 Archives
- 11 Global Refuge Report
- 12 Augsburg Fortress
- 13 Luther Seminary Annual Report
REGISTRATION: Late Registration Deadline was May 27th. Contact Dn. Alex Benson-Tuff at alex@eandsynod.org with questions.
CHILDREN AT ASSEMBLY:
Little Lutherans are welcome at assembly!
Activity Area: There will be a designated activity area for children ages 5 and under. Parents are responsible for supervision in this area.
Childcare: There will be two options for childcare at Synod Assembly this year. You will need to reserve your spot through the regular assembly registration by May 20.
Nursing / Pumping Station: A private space for parents to nurse or pump will be available throughout the weekend.
SYNOD ASSEMBLY OFFERING:
The offering for this year's Synod Assembly will be designated to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic for Education priorities including the high school library and computer lab. Offerings can be brought to Synod Assembly, donations can be made online, or checks can be mailed to the synod to support this project in the CAR.
Scroll down to learn more about Pre-Assembly and Saturday evening events and to access the Bishop's sermon for Sunday, June 8.
june 8 bishop's sermon
now available!
Pre-Assembly events
Fresh Expressions of Church
Join Deacon Erin Power in exploring Fresh Expressions during Synod Assembly. Fresh Expressions are gatherings that connect with new people or allow folks to engage church in different ways: Dinner Church, Messy Church, Yoga Church, Burritos and Bible Study, Facebook Church, and so much more!
Messy Church:
Friday, June 6 @ 6:45-7:30pm
Messy Church is a hands on gathering designed to be accessible for children and youth, but can be adapted for all ages. Come experience a Fresh Expression of church that is rooted in interactive stations to play and wonder.
Book Discussion:
The 21st Century Christian by Michael Moynagh & Michael Adam Beck
- Friday, June 6 @ 7:45pm - Holiday Inn Spirits Lounge
- Saturday, June 7 @ 7:00am - Holiday Inn Restaurant
The 21st Century Christian explores how people of faith might invite new people into the story of Jesus in ways that connect with their everyday life. Join Deacon Erin in conversation over food and drinks either Friday night or Saturday morning.
creation celebration
Saturday, June 7, 2025
6:00-8:00pm
St. John Lutheran Church, Fargo
All are invited to participate in a Creation Celebration on Saturday, June 7 at St. John Lutheran in Fargo! This event coincides with Synod Assembly but is open to all -- not just Synod Assembly attendees. Join us for yard games, upcycled crafts, food and a variety of community partners and booths including beekeeping, vegetarian cooking, tiny homes, community gardens, and native plant gardens. Tee's Tacos will be providing an Indigenous-focused meal, partially sponsored by the Advocacy & Action Team. A free will offering is encouraged.
Congregations can enter a drawing to receive the proceeds of the meal to be used toward a creation care project or donated to a related non-profit of their choice!
Publicity:
Download the Creation Celebration graphic for social media.
Download the Creation Celebration bulletin insert.
synod assembly 2024
june 1-2 + Holiday Inn, Fargo
Summary of the 2024 Synod Assembly:
On June 1-2, 2024, the Eastern North Dakota Synod, ELCA gathered together at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, ND for the thirty-seventh annual Synod Assembly under the theme of “Challenge: Learn, Discern, Respond.” There were a total of 296 people in attendance (183 Lay Voting Members; 80 Rostered Minister Voting Members; 33 Visitors). Business items included hearing reports from officers, adopting the 2025 Synod Mission Plan (budget), elections for Synod Council, Committees, and Voting Members to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly, and adopting two resolutions (Compensation & Benefit Guidelines, Reconciling in Christ Welcome Statement.) Participants also heard a State of the Synod from Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth and State of the ELCA from our churchwide representative, Kristen Opalinski. The Strategic Plan for the Synod was launched thanks to a year-long process of listening and discerning across the synod. A reception was held to celebrate five new Endowment Funds that have been created.
Documents:
Videos from Synod
- Opening Worship
- Closing Worship
- State of the Synod
- State of the ELCA - Kristen Opalinski
- Strategic Plan Launch
- Endowment Funds
Sunday, June 2 Worship Resource
Sermon from Bishop Tessa (Video)
Sermon from Bishop Tessa (Manuscript)