2026 WND Synod Assembly
Rough Rider Center, Watford City, ND
May 29 - 31, 2026
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This is a listing of the workshops/breakout sessions that will be offered at the 2026 Western North Dakota Synod Assembly.
Exact times will be announced as they are determined by results of the Bishop Election.
Equipping Storytellers:
Practical Tools for Storytelling in Your Church
FRIDAY, MAY 29th, 1:30-4:30PM
Presenter: Nathan Mugaas - ELCA pastor, speaker, humorist, and award-winning storyteller.
Location: Rough Rider Center
Description: Stories shape faith, strengthen relationships, and help the gospel come alive in everyday life. And along the way, they often remind us to laugh and recognize God’s grace in ordinary moments. This
practical and engaging workshop is designed to help church leaders discover, shape, and share meaningful stories in congregational life.
Risk Management - Best Practices
SATURDAY, MAY 30th
Presenter: Synod Attorney, Murray Sagsveen
Location: Rough Rider Center - Silver Room
Description: Synod Attorney Murray Sagsveen will explain risk management best practices, including internal financial controls, volunteer management, property and liability insurance, background checks, employee management, responsibilities of the treasurer and audit committee, and implementation of risk management policies by continuing resolutions.
Suicide Stigma in the Christian Tradition:
"It's Not Biblical”
SATURDAY, MAY 30th
Presenter: Rev. Sylvia Bull
Location: Rough Rider Center - Emerald Room
Description: This workshop will cover the treatment of suicide in Christian history, including the origins of suicide stigma in Christian belief and practice, contrasted with biblical perspectives on suicide as a part of human experience and how faith communities can meaningfully accompany those struggling with suicide thoughts. The workshop includes opportunities for participation by attendees and the chance to ask questions at the end.
THE Faith-Filled Magic of Camp
SATURDAY, MAY 30th
Presenter: WND Camp Staff
Location: Rough Rider Center - Arena
Description: Come and spend time with staff from all four of our WND Synod outdoor ministry Bible Camp sites. We'll start with a mini-workshop exploring how the camp/congregation connection is a blessing to everyone, and how the energy of camp can sparkle in your churches all year long. We'll then transition into intentional time for participants to hear from "their own" camp staff about programs and plans that are coming up in the near future!
What We Saw: A Border Immersion Witness
SATURDAY, MAY 30th
Presenters: Rev. Natasha Woitzel-Kolles, Bruce & Cindy Carlson
Location: Rough Rider Center - Gold Room
Description: Join Pastor Natasha Woitzel-Kolles, Bruce and Cindy Carlson from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck as they share firsthand accounts from their recent border immersion experience, where they encountered asylum seekers and heard the deeply human stories behind their journeys. Together they reflect on the complexity of immigration, the dehumanizing conditions many face, and how the experience challenged assumptions and replaced them with faces, names, and truth.
BEST STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES...and Are You Ready for a Capitol Campaign?
SATURDAY, MAY 30th
Presenter: Paul Marsh, GSB Representative
Location: Rough Rider Center - Opal Room
Description: Join Paul Marsh of GSB Fundraising, one of our synod's Stewardship Specialists, for a session that focuses on several stewardship and congregational campaign case studies. Learn what is working, what is not, and how to take your church's generosity to the next level. We'll leave plenty of time for your questions and discussion.
The Ins and Outs of Cemeteries
SUNDAY, MAY 31st
Presenter: Synod Attorney Murray Sagsveen
Location: Rough Rider Center - Silver Room
Description: Synod Attorney Murray Sagsveen will address issues related to the management of rural Lutheran cemeteries by congregations and cemetery associations, including incorporating, 501(c)(13) tax-exempt status, state law requirement (e.g., registration, surveys, and plats), sexton responsibilities, questions about ownership, oil and gas production under cemeteries, liability insurance, and financial sustainability.
Christian Public Witness in an Age of Partisanship
SUNDAY, MAY 31st
Presenter: Rev. Sylvia Bull
Location: Rough Rider Center - Emerald Room
Description: Come, learn, and reflect on how Christians can faithfully engage in public witness that promotes our values and intentionally avoids participating in the harms of our hyper-partisan political environment.
The Work of Being a Neighbor
SUNDAY, MAY 31st
Presenter: Jen Engquist, Disaster Capacity Builder
Location: Rough Rider Center - Opal Room
Description: Take time to map out your congregation's role as a great neighbor and learn about opportunities to grow your capacity to walk alongside others when times get tough or disaster strikes. This workshop will help you map your assets, values, risks, and opportunities for learning, leadership, and partnership.
PORTICO BENEFITS :
Tricks & Tips with Your Regional Representative
SUNDAY, MAY 31st
Presenters: Rev. Tim Schroeder
Location: Rough Rider Center - Diamond Room
Description: Do you have questions about how to maximize your benefits? Have you struggled navigating "all things Portico"? Come and meet our Regional Representative, Rev. Tim Schroeder. Tim will present on how to live well and become an expert in maximizing your benefits!
What We Saw: A Border Immersion Witness
SUNDAY, MAY 31st
Presenters: Rev. Natasha Woitzel-Kolles, Bruce & Cindy Carlson
Location: Rough Rider Center - Gold Room
Description: Join Pastor Natasha Woitzel-Kolles, Bruce and Cindy Carlson from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck as they share firsthand accounts from their recent border immersion experience, where they encountered asylum seekers and heard the deeply human stories behind their journeys. Together they reflect on the complexity of immigration, the dehumanizing conditions many face, and how the experience challenged assumptions and replaced them with faces, names, and truth.