Northwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA

06/08/2026

A great day to celebrate 160 years of FAiTHFUL ministry at Oscar Lake Lutheran Church! The church was overflowing with people to celebrate Gods work in and through the lives of these incredible families of faith.

06/06/2026

Bishop Bill preached during opening worship this evening at the Eastern North Dakota Synod Assembly in Fargo.

Reflecting on the assembly theme, Waters of Promise, Waters of Life, he talked about water’s power—how it can sustain life, shape landscapes, and also be dangerous and unpredictable. He invited those gathered to a courageous faith that trusts God’s promises even when the waters ahead are uncertain.

As the Eastern North Dakota Synod gathers this weekend, we hold them in prayer, especially as they discern and elect their next bishop. May the Holy Spirit guide their conversations, decisions, and ministry together.

06/02/2026

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry has issued his first in a series of monthly messages that will continue through the end of this year under the title "All Together in One Place."

Each message will share a pastoral word, rooted in Scripture, that witnesses to God’s presence today, our rich theological tradition and the social teaching that connects us.

Read the full message through the link in the comments below.

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Pastor Dorothee Caspari on her ordination!

We celebrate her call to serve Dilworth Lutheran and Glyndon Lutheran and pray God’s blessings on her ministry.

05/31/2026

That’s a wrap on Synod Assembly 2026! 🎉

Thank you to everyone who worshiped, voted, served, played bingo, and connected from across Northwestern Minnesota. It’s great to be church together!

05/30/2026

Grace in a Digital Space ✨

The 2026 Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly continues today!

Guests and visitors are invited to join us via livestream for worship, keynote presentations, elections, resolutions, and the shared work of the church.

⛪ Morning Worship Begins at 9:00am

Watch the livestream here:
https://nwmnsynod.org/synod-assembly-2026/

05/29/2026

Grace in a Digital Space ✨

The 2026 Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly begins tonight!

Guests and visitors are invited to join us via livestream as we gather for worship, orientation, conversation, and community across many places and screens.

📍 Friday Evening Orientation
🕠 Begins at 5:30pm CT

2026 Northwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly Grace in a Digital Space Assembly Livestream Friday | May 29 | 5:30PM Saturday | May 30 | 9:00AM The Holy

05/27/2026

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Lisa Sethre-Hofstad as the new Minister for Generosity for the Northwestern Minnesota Synod! Lisa will begin her role on June 2 following the retirement of Pastor Keith Pearson.

Dr. Sethre-Hofstad brings extensive experience in leadership, relationship-building, higher education, and donor engagement. She spent more than 25 years serving Concordia College in Moorhead as a Professor of Psychology, Department Chair, Program Director, Associate Dean, and Vice President. Throughout her career, she has helped secure support for student success initiatives, faculty development, internships, and community partnerships.

Lisa is also a Fulbright Scholar, fluent in Norwegian, and continues to lead alumni tours to Norway for Concordia College.

We are excited for the gifts, wisdom, and leadership Lisa brings to this new role and look forward to the ways she will help strengthen generosity and ministry across the Northwestern Minnesota Synod.

Please join us in welcoming Lisa to the synod staff team!

05/22/2026

We are excited to welcome Nick Stanley to the synod staff as our new Finance and Roster Administrator!

Nick is a recent graduate of the University of North Dakota with a degree in Business Management. During his time at UND, he was actively involved at Christus Rex Lutheran Campus Ministry and is excited to use his gifts to serve the church in this new role.

Nick will begin on June 2 and will spend time learning alongside Joan as she prepares for retirement. We are grateful for Joan’s faithful service and excited to welcome Nick to the synod team!

Please join us in welcoming Nick to the Northwestern Minnesota Synod!

05/21/2026

“As the ELCA, we must speak plainly: violence rooted in hatred is sin. We condemn Islamophobia and acknowledge its rise in recent years. Our church affirms that “anti-Muslim hatred is antithetical to our Christian faith” (A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community), for we are called to love our neighbor in ways that cast out fear (1 John 4:18).”

Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry has released a statement on the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

“As the ELCA, we must speak plainly: violence rooted in hatred is sin. We condemn Islamophobia and acknowledge its rise in recent years. Our church affirms that “anti-Muslim hatred is antithetical to our Christian faith” (A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community), for we are called to love our neighbor in ways that cast out fear (1 John 4:18).”

Read the full statement through the link in the comments below.