eNewsletter - September 2, 2024
The Latest News and Events from the Western North Dakota Synod of ELCA
Chris Herren Presentation
Brought to you buy the Kenmare Area Ministerial Association and Kenmare Public Schools.
An extraordinary basketball player, Chris Herren was a celebrated star in his native Fall River, MA before graduating high school. He went on to play at Boston College and Fresno State, two seasons in the NBA - including one with his hometown team, the Boston Celtics - and seven seasons overseas before losing it all to the disease of addiction. With the unwavering support of his family and friends, Chris has been sober since August 1, 2008, and he now shares his story with the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of others. His recovery journey has been documented in the best-selling memoir, "Basketball Junkie", the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary "Unguarded" and in countless local, national, and international stories by the New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Sports Illustrated, among others. Through Herren Talks, Chris has spoken to over 1 million students and community members, sparking honest discussions about substance use disorder and wellness. In 2011, Chris grew his vision of support for others when he founded the nonprofit Herren Project. Through the organization, Chris and hi team empower schools and communities to make healthy choices, while also guiding families through recovery. In 2018, Chris also founded Herren Wellness, a residential health and wellness program that helps guests lead healthy, substance-free lives.
You're invited to attend! On September 4th, KAMA will be grilling up a delicious meal prior to the event...so come hungry! The meal starts at 5:30 with Chris Herren's presentation beginning at 6:30.
JUSTmove...A Family Event
Saturday, September 7th at 2PM, join David Scherr and Joe Davis...the JUSTmove guys...in Harvey, ND for an afternoon of dancing, music, storytelling, poetry and healing. There will even be ice cream sundaes and floats! Brought to you by Wells County Community Cares, Eagles and Eagles Auxiliary, Harvey Art Alliance and the Lonetree Lutheran Conference.
Dollar Store Children Sermons Creator to be in Bismarck, September 27 & 28
Register for the Saturday Event
Pastor John Stevens, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Oregon City, Oregon and creator of the Dollar Store Children Sermons, will be in Bismarck, September 27th and 28th as part of a WND Synod learning event.
Friday evening, September 27th, Pastor John, who has been a sleight-of-hand magician for over 40 years, will delight us with a magic show to benefit the four bible camps of Western North Dakota. There is no entry fee for the show that will begin at 7:00 pm at Lord of Life Lutheran Church (1143 N 26th St) in Bismarck.
Saturday, September 28th, will be a day-long learning event titled, “Using your story to tell THE STORY”. Pastor John will guide us through three sessions, sharing his insights and ideas on how we can use the various stories of our life to help us tell the greatest story of all, God’s love for God’s people.
Registration is required for the Saturday event. The cost is $50 per person or $200 total for a group of four or more from the same congregation/organization. For details, please contact the synod office at 701-223-5312
Fall LYO Event
LYO groups from across the synod, join us at the Ramada Inn of Bismarck, along with featured speaker Matt Schur, as we explore the theme of "Rest" Oct 17-18 (Sr High) or Oct 18-19 (Jr High).
Register for the Senior High Event
Register for the Middle School Event
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
WND Synod Presents...
Pastor Stevens shares ideas how we can we use our life-stories to tell the greatest story of all.
Fall Book Study
Embracing Diversity: Faith, Vocation and the Promise of America book read begins
WND Synod Presents...
Senior High Youth Groups across the WND synod come together to explore the theme of "Rest".
September Western Whirlwind from WND Synodical Women of the ELCA
The September Western Whirlwind is now available! Included in this edition is a link to the 6-question digital strategic planning questionnaire.
Read the September Western Whirlwind
Unexpected Surprises
A Podcast of the ELCA-WND Synod.
Through this podcast, we explore all that God is doing through people of faith on the prairies of North Dakota.
In the most recent episode, Bishop Craig Schweitzer is joined by several adult leaders from across the synod who led groups to the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. They share their hopes for how this experience might have a lasting and positive impact on the ministry and mission God is calling them into in their local congregations and communities.
WATCH THIS
In this video, Bishop Craig reflects on the great gift of ordination in Christ's church.
Fresh Start Kit Ministry
You are invited to join the Fresh Start Kit Ministry! A Fresh Start Ministry Kit is a backpack that is given to everyone leaving the Youth Correction Center in Mandan and the ND State Penitentiary in Bismarck. Many of the men leaving these facilities have nothing to carry their things in when they leave, and certainly don’t have toiletries or the ability to go buy new underwear. These kits help ease the stress of reentry.
A partnership project of Heart River Bridges of Hope, Ministry on the Margins, and Trinity Lutheran of Bismarck, backpacks are assembled, stored, and distributed to where they need to go. Also included in the backpacks is information about our organizations, and if you help, we would be more than happy to put your information in the backpack as well. Also, you will not be responsible for getting the backpacks to the facilities. Trinity Lutheran of Bismarck will take care of that. You just need to get them to us or arrange for us to pick them up. One way you can choose to help is to choose a month that you would like to do this project and continue with the project that month in the future. Maybe you would want to share a month with another church instead of trying to put 40 bags together by yourself or maybe you just want to gather the supplies, and we will put the bags together. Individuals in your congregations are also welcome to do this project or order off of the registry if you don’t want to do this as a congregational project.
It takes approximately 40 backpacks per month to pull this off. We hope you will be willing to help. You can put backpacks together – you can just collect the items, and we will put the bags together – you can financially donate. The list is attached. One note: If you decide to purchase backpacks, please only purchase the ones suggested on the list and only in black.
If you have any questions or if you decide to use this project on any level for your God’s Work. Our Hands project, or for another project, please contact Pastor Martha HarriSon or download this flyer.
Transitional Ministry Training for Faith Leaders
Faith leaders are working in challenging times. The world is experiencing rapid and continuous change. In the past, disruptions were usually followed by periods of stability. However, change is now constant, widespread, and increasing rapidly. These times call for Adaptive Leadership, requiring a deep understanding of context and culture. Leaders are called to navigate these challenges and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, demonstrate humility, flexibility, and authenticity. We need practical tools to use in this context.
The Rev. Dr. Mark Yackel-Juleen, representing Wartburg Theological Seminary, and Rev. Peter Soli, founder of Dialog Works, have teamed up to introduce faith leaders to valuable tools for these challenges. With their combined experience and advice from church leaders, they share their experience and knowledge in the online course Practical Tools for the Journey.
Enrolling in this course will help you better understand your ministry setting, sharpen your leadership skills in conflict management, and grow your confidence and competence in guiding transformational change. Practical Tools will equip you to lead and adapt effectively in your unique ministry settings.
The first session of Practical Tools for the Journey is Thursday, September 19th. For more details and to enroll in this course, visit the course site.
Link to the Practical Tools course site
Fall Book Read and Coaching Series
The WND Synod will host a fall book read and coaching series, focusing on Embracing Diversity, the book by Darrell Jadock & William Nelson
The series, facilitated by ELCA-trained coaches, will:
- Consist of 8 Sessions, 1 hour each. October 3rd through November 21st with 2 time options... 12PMor 6PM. Choose which works best for you!
- Foster both learning and implementation! Cohort participants will not only share insights and learnings gained from the reading, but also take those insights one step further by designing a small personal action step each week to grow in embracing diversity in their life and community.
- Include a leaders guide, written by our synod's ELCA-trained coaches, that participants can use to lead a similar experience in their own congregations upon their completion of the series.
- Participants should come to the first session ready to discuss the introduction and chapter 1.
Dates & Times: Thursdays from October 3 – Nov 21 with 2 time options 12 pm or 6pm. Choose the time of day that works best for your schedule!
Free Download
New from Lutheran Summer Music 2024, download a new FREE arrangement by Anne Krentz Organ: The Ash Grove for a solo instrument with keyboard accompaniment. The Ash Grove is a theme and variations based on the beloved Welsh folk tune and is this year’s installment in the LSM Hymn Tune Project.
Download FREE sheet music here.
Election Cycle Guidance
Are you interested in what you can do as a non-partisan influence in this election cycle? Take your energy to the ELCA Election Activator network - an opportunity for individuals and our congregations to share in our communities love in action.
ELCA Election Activators from various parts of our ELCA faith community are invited to a call once-a-month to for updates and to hear from each other about local initiatives. Because the ELCA does not endorse a particular candidate, party or form of government or strive for a Christian one, participation requires sign-up and a non-partisan pledge. "Lutherans care about government because it is a gift from God intended for the safety and flourishing of human life" (from ELCA social message "Government & Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy").
Learn more today! https://blogs.elca.org/advocacy/elca-election-activator-network/
FEATURED RESOURCES
Connect. Refresh. Renew.
Spirit in the Desert hosts programs and retreats for participants of all faiths to experience reconciliation, renewal and healing.
Browse upcoming events.
Suicide Prevention Skills for Rural Ministries
Together with a cohort of other faith leaders, you will learn approaches and skills that equip you for prevention, intervention, and postvention (bereavement) tasks so you can effectively care for people struggling with thoughts of suicide or those impacted by suicide.
Learn More and Register for this course
Conversations Shaping the Future
Here you will find practical tools to help leaders develop skills, confidence, and capacity for the future.
MEET PASTOR TERA KOSSOW:
Pastor Tera Kossow is the new DEM (Director for Evangelical Mission) for the WND Synod. Tera is from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (known as the U.P., where the Yoopers live). She took her first pastoral call in northwest South Dakota. Tera served her second call in the U.P. and is now back near the prairie that she grew to love. She lives in Bismarck with her dog, Dilly. Now that you know a little about Pastor Tera, let's ask her a few questions.
WHAT DOES A DEM DO?
The DEM ministry areas can vary from synod to synod, and from person to person who serves In this position. What I will do as your DEM is different from what past DEM’s in the Western North Dakota Synod have done. I would simply define my position in this way: I work with congregations to find a way to walk into the future of their ministry.
HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER?
Walking into the future as a congregation can mean a wide variety of things from exploring ways to expand mission in the world in which we live, maintaining what is currently happening, Holy Closure, and many things in between. Over this broad spectrum, the basis remains the same: rooted in the love of God through Christ Jesus, we walk together to bring Good News to the world. That’s evangelism!
WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
Looking at what is happening in your congregation and community, we can work together, imagining what the future may hold. I would love to get to know you and your congregation! Please feel free to contact me to set up a time for us to meet either via phone call or zoom, or for me to visit your ministry site. I would also like to meet your congregation by worshipping together. I’ll even preach!
WHICH CONGREGATIONS CAN BENEFIT FROM WORKING WITH THE DEM?
All congregations can benefit in some way from working with a DEM. No matter how big or how small, no matter if there is an ordained pastor called there or not, no matter if you are a solo worshipping community or a multi-point ministry, no matter if you think the future is bright or bleak, the discussion is the first step. If you would like to begin a discussion, please call me at my office number (701) 248-6898 or email me at tera@wndsynod.org.
BCS Top 10
In March of this year, Bishop Craig Schweitzer laid out 10 reasons why he loves the ELCA. If you did not get the opportunity to see it then, why not take a look now?
LOOK FOR DETAILS COMING SOON...
Book discussion on Finding Our Way to the Truth with author and western North Dakota native, Sarah Ciavarri. Registration for this event will open in the near future and includes a copy of the book, available in advance of the event.
January 13, 2025 from 1 - 4PM at the
Bismarck Veterans Memorial Library.
January 14, 2025 from 1 - 4PM at
Minot State University
