ELCA News Blog
October 12, 2006
Lutherans offer 'Hope for the Prairie' in the 21st century
by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is hosting "Hope for the Prairie: Vital Congregations and Leaders for the 21st Century" Nov. 5-6 in Aberdeen, S.D. The event will focus on the future of Lutheran congregations and ministries in North and South Dakota with emphases on what the church has accomplished there and congregational resources designed to keep ministries renewed and vitalized. Keynote presentations will be delivered by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, and Ryan Taylor, a rancher, freelance writer and public relations professional for a beef co-op, Towner, N.D. The event will feature workshops on topics ranging from new models for collaborative ministries to natural church development and worship from the ELCA's new primary book of worship -- "Evangelical Lutheran Worship." A variety of musicians from North and South Dakota will lead worship and provide entertainment throughout the conference.
The Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, bishop of the ELCA South Dakota Synod, Sioux Falls, will close the event with a "challenge" to participants. The event is sponsored by the ELCA South Dakota Synod, the ELCA Western North Dakota Synod, Bismarck, and the ELCA Eastern North Dakota Synod, Fargo.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog