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Time to Make 2016 Health Benefits Decisions
By Patsy Glista, AIM, Assistant to Bishop for Operations
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Between October 5
th and October 30
th Sponsoring Employers (congregations) need to make their 2016 health benefit option selection on Portico EmployerLink.
This applies to all congregations who plan to participate in Portico health plans and offer Portico health coverage to their pastor and/or employees in 2016. Congregations should have all received an email communication in September letting them know that your organization's 2016 Custom Comparison Report is available on EmployerLink. Employers need to review this material and go on EmployerLink and indicate the health plan option your organizations will offer for 2016. Your organization's customized report will help the congregation's decision-makers understand how:
- The 2016 health benefit options compare to the health benefit option you offer now;
- Each health benefit option would affect your plan members; and
- Your organization's contribution amounts will change.
Basic group life insurance and disability support contributions will also see some adjustments in 2016. The basic group life insurance rate is decreasing by 0.5% to 0.5% while the disability support rate is increasing 1%, from 2.5% up to 3.5% in 2016. The upstate New York Synod's recommended rate of 12% of Total Defined Compensation for pension retirement remains the same as does the Portico retiree support rate 0.7%. There is a 7% increase in the Gold+ plan health rate which is considered reasonable in comparison to many other plan rates including Marketplace Exchange anticipated increases for 2016. There are tools available on EmployerLink to help you in your decision-making. You will find information to help you and others select your option including: - The Portico 2016 30-minute 2016 Health Plan Changes webinar
- Our estimated 2016 benefit costs in the Custom Comparison Report
- Details about your options.
Remember, your selection is required on EmployerLink by October 30. Your plan members will enter their 2016 benefit decisions online between November 2 - 30. If you need assistance Portico Customer Service Representatives are available at 800-352-2876.
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We Did It!
The ELCA Malaria Campaign has reached its $15 million goal!
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The ELCA Malaria Campaign has exceeded its fundraising goal of $15 million dollars! That means 15 million reasons to say THANK YOU!
Your generosity and dedication made this moment possible. As a result of your support, malaria programs in 13 African countries have been fully funded. Together we have had great success - millions of community members were educated about the disease, nearly 10,000 local volunteers were trained on disease prevention and treatment methods, 50,000 nets were distributed, 32,000 pregnant women received prevention medication and more.
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton also thanks you for your hard work: "We began the Malaria Campaign in the depths of the Great Recession and at a time of considerable turmoil in this church. The goal of raising $15 million might have sounded improbable at the time, but our people responded generously. We are honored to accompany our global companions in the Lutheran churches in Africa in their work to make malaria history." Although the campaign's financial goal has been met, the ELCA will continue its anti-malaria work post 2015 through ELCA World Hunger.
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CONGREGATION-BASED CPE CLASS
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Congregation-Based Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) teaches pastoral leadership and pastoral care for clergy and lay ministers in the church from a Bowen Family Systems Theory perspective. It is designed for experienced pastors, lay workers, and ministers and seminarians new to pastoral work. Ministers strengthen their pastoral and leadership skills, address tension and conflict in the church, and work on their personal growth in ministry. The program focuses on in depth systemic change and leadership development that reduces congregational anxiety and addresses long-term issues in the church.
CPE in Greater Buffalo/Rochester NY Area - February-June 2016: one day/week
For more information and the application visit the CPE Website
or contact
The Rev. Robert C. Spilman
363 Darwin Drive, Amherst, NY 14226
(Tel.) 716-479-7933 (cell); 716-743-9117 (Samaritan Center office)
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Register today for Preaching Days! October 19-21 |
Preaching Days returns to LTSP with lectures, workshops, and worship opportunities, and with ample time for conversation, fellowship, and reflection. Five outstanding preachers will be the presenters, including Thomas Long (inaugural St. Paul's Lutheran Church Doylestown Lecturer), Audrey West, and Paul Scott Wilson, along with LTSP's own Karyn Wiseman and Wayne Croft.
The cost is $175, which includes all programming, lunch all three days (last day is a departing box lunch), and coffee/tea plus healthy snacks for breaks. A la carte breakfast offered Tuesday and Wednesday at an additional cost. Register using the online form through the link below, and invite a colleague to join you! Learn more and register today at http://ltsp.edu/PreachingDays2015.
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Samaritan Counseling Center
Presents
A study on LEADERSHIP, FAMILY SYSTEMS, AND FAITH
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A Failure of Nerve will develop an approach to leadership that takes a non- traditional direction. It will encourage leaders to focus first on their own integrity and on the nature of their own presence rather than through techniques for manipulating or motivating others.
Friedman explains that in order for terrorists to have power, whether in a family or in the family of nations, three conditions must be fulfilled: (1) the absence of well-defined leadership; (2) a hostage situation to which leaders are particularly vulnerable; and (3) an unreasonable faith in reasonableness.A major criterion for judging the anxiety level of any society is the loss of its capacity to be playful.
Join the SCC (Samaritan Counseling Center) team in a group study on the problem of leadership and how to avoid many of the pitfalls of being a leader.
We will begin each session with devotions by looking at scripture "through the lens" of Family Systems Theory.
Clergy, counselors, church leaders, family leaders, Stephen ministers, and all people seeking connections between personal, family, and public roles in faith and life can become better equipped for their role by learning how to deal with difficult people that block growth.
COST: Free will offering, or if you wish to receive Continuing Education Credit from Samaritan Center, you may register for a certificate at the cost of $100.00
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Congregational Resiliency
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This CRTC workshop led by Rev. Sherri Meyer-Veen and Rev. Carl Shepard, on October 29 (register by the 13th), attempts to condense much of what I have learned through many leadership roles, especially in the aftermath of Irene, and make it accessible and applicable to resiliency.
As a workshop, it is designed with segments of interactive presentation, offering a wide variety of information and resources, and then allowing you some time to translate the material into your own context, individually and as a team, as you begin to make your own goals for follow up.
The main topics include adaptive leadership, capacity building, resource development, preparedness planning, best practices in volunteerism, and community engagement. While not all topics will be detailed during the day, a binder of material and resources will be given to all participants. Carl and I will offer ourselves for advisory and resourcing follow up as well. Learn more and register at learn more and register. |
IN OUR PRAYERS
Prayers of Healing
for Pr. Dave Preisinger
for Erna Wedemeyer
Prayers of Comfort for Pr. Anita Mohr and Family at the death of her mother, Dorothy
Prayers of Thanksgiving for Patsy Glista, AIM presented with The Parkway Center's Lifetime Achievement Award for Pr. Judith VanOsdol as she begins her call as DEM in the Rocky Mountain Synod
Prayers of Hope and Renewal for all those affected by flooding from Hurricane Joaquin
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Lutheran Disaster Response Train the Trainer
If God is enough
We can be free from attachments to our plans, self-will, success
By Elizabeth A. Eaton
From time to time I am invited to celebrate congregational anniversaries. It's wonderful to see the church in action and to meet members from all across the country. Read more
Congregational Resiliency - This CRTC workshop led by Rev. Sherri Meyer-Veen and Rev. Carl Shepard, on October 29 (register by the 13th), attempts to condense much of what I have learned through many leadership roles, especially in the aftermath of Irene, and make it accessible and applicable to resiliency .
As a workshop, it is designed with segments of interactive presentation, offering a wide variety of information and resources, and then allowing you some time to translate the material into your own context, individually and as a team, as you begin to make your own goals for follow up.
The main topics include adaptive leadership, capacity building, resource development, preparedness planning, best practices in volunteerism, and community engagement. While not all topics will be detailed during the day, a binder of material and resources will be given to all participants. Carl and I will offer ourselves for advisory and resourcing follow up as well. Learn more and register at
https://crtc.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=543.
REMINDER***** Samuel Trexler Grant applications will be accepted until October 31, 2015 for 2016 gra nts. If you wish to apply for this grant, please visit Trexler Brochure and Application. Questions should be directed to Karen Brundige at the synod office.
Churches' Week of Action on Food
What is it?
Churches' Week of Action on Food is an opportunity for Christians all over the world to act and speak out together on food-justice issues. Together, we can raise awareness about food production and distribution systems, examine our own food consumption, call for policy changes that will ensure the right to food for everyone and raise money to support programs that help fight hunger. Our faith calls us to action, and through ELCA World Hunger, we commit to pursuing a world of justice where all are fed. Learn more by reading the ELCA World Hunger eNews.
Synod Website Update Please make note that Document Center on the synod website is now labeled as "RESOURCES" and appear in the top bar separately - hopefully this makes it easier for folks to find things. It previously was under "About Us." Visit the Synod Website and look around.
The synod office will be closed on Monday, October 12th in observance of Columbus Day.
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