I never used to think about Labor Day weekend much. It has always been a somewhat dreary and unhappy ending to summer vacation. A weekend to begin realizing that the seasons are changing and there really isn’t much anyone can do about it.
My feelings about Labor Day weekend are changing. The Sunday of Labor Day weekend marks the annual Wade Westin Music Festival at the Burning Hills Amphitheater in Medora, ND. Wade was a good friend and brother in Christ. Wade will always be remembered as “Gentleman Wade,” the face of Medora for over a decade. This annual festival celebrates the life of Wade Westin, gives us a chance to remember a dear friend whom we miss, and introduces this beautiful child of God to new friends who never had the opportunity to meet him or hear him on stage.
The Rev. Craig Schweitzer, of Bismarck, was elected as bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod on July 17, 2020, in the first-ever digital Synod Assembly. A historic event, Schweitzer is the first bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to be elected in an online assembly.
Bishop Craig Schweitzer began serving the Western North Dakota Synod-ELCA on September 1, 2020. He has always seen himself as an easy-going person who seeks to daily discover anew how God is present in his life and the world in which he lives and serves.
Prior to service in the Office of Bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod, Bishop Craig served at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bismarck, ND as Music and Worship Minister (lay staff from 2002-2010), Associate Pastor (2010-2014), and Senior Pastor (2014-2020). Beyond his service in the church, he has an eclectic background that is a diverse collection of musical, educational, and business experiences ranging from live concert production and promotion to recording studios and live performance to music education.
Throughout all of his professional and personal experiences, the Apostle Paul’s words to the church in Rome have been a guiding light that has kept him grounded in whatever work God was calling him into – “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)
Bishop Craig is a graduate of the University of Mary in Bismarck with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership. He also holds a certificate degree in Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA. He was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament on September 16, 2010.
Outside of his life as Bishop, Bishop Craig enjoys reading, all music, a little golf, a cold beverage with friends, and intentional times of quiet. And, of course, spending time with his wife Wendy and their adult twin daughters Ilia and Taegan.
View all posts by Bishop Craig Schweitzer
This entry was posted on Monday, September 5th, 2011 at 10:09 pm and posted in The Church in The World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Craig, thanks so much for the update from Wade Westin’s Music Festival. That is so good and I can enjoy it over and over.
Loved your last sermon too. So neat to be able to hear you from home . I am truly blessed !!! Vada
My feelings about Labor Day weekend are changing. The Sunday of Labor Day weekend marks the annual Wade Westin Music Festival at the Burning Hills Amphitheater in Medora, ND. Wade was a good friend and brother in Christ. Wade will always be remembered as “Gentleman Wade,” the face of Medora for over a decade. This annual festival celebrates the life of Wade Westin, gives us a chance to remember a dear friend whom we miss, and introduces this beautiful child of God to new friends who never had the opportunity to meet him or hear him on stage.
Bishop Craig Schweitzer 
September 6th, 2011 at 12:41 am
Craig, thanks so much for the update from Wade Westin’s Music Festival. That is so good and I can enjoy it over and over.
Loved your last sermon too. So neat to be able to hear you from home . I am truly blessed !!! Vada
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