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2016 Portico Health Benefits Updates
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THANK YOU to all those congregations, treasurers, and pastors who responded so quickly to reminders to make a health option selection by the October 30 deadline. As of October 31, our synod had only two congregations who had not made their selection or taken other appropriate action for 2016. This was wonderful to see! Great job!
The next step in the 2016 health care selection process is for members/employees to log in to MyPortico between November 2 and November 30, 2015 to learn about their options for 2016, meet the Member Selection deadline and be ready for a smooth transition into the new year. Members need to:
- Enroll in the health benefit option the congregation selected, buy up to another option and pay the cost difference, or waive health benefits IF they qualify;
- A plan member qualifies to waive ELCA health coverage if he or she has other valid health coverage, such as through a spouse's or ESGP's employer, or receives a subsidy on a state, federal, or state/federal partnership individual health insurance exchange and purchases coverage through the individual exchange. (Portico definition)
- Make decisions about contributing to tax-advantaged accounts, purchasing additional life insurance, and starting or changing pretax retirement account contributions; and
- Name life insurance and retirement account beneficiaries.
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The New York State Council of Churches is Sponsoring a Leadership Forum for high school youth!
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 Once again this year, the NY State Council of Churches will sponsor a trip for senior high youth to the United Nations. We will travel to NYC on Presidents Day, and return home Wednesday, February 17th.
The focus of our time together will be "Toward Racial Healing." We will study at the United Methodist Seminar Office and tour the UN. The seminar is designed to equip youth to be advocates for change.
The cost of $385 covers lodging, travel by chartered bus, lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday and breakfast Tuesday. Students will need to bring money for dinner Monday and Tuesday, and for breakfast on Wednesday.
Please visit the links below.
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| From the Synod Global Mission Committee: Our companion synod of Zimbabwe has two new local bishops, Rev. Michael Dube (Western Diocese), and Rev. Chemist Faindi (Eastern Diocese). Rev. Faindi will also be the head bishop for the whole ELCZ. It would be ideal for a member of our synod to attend the convocation of these bishops in December but the cost of airfare at that time of year is very expensive. An idea is to accompany them in spirit by contributing to the convocation feast (as well as our bishop sending greetings and best wishes in writing). Cattle are a valuable part of Zimbabwe families. During such an important event, one is purchased to feed the multitudes. If you would like to contribute to "The Beast for the Feast", please make donations to the Upstate NY Synod and right FEAST BEAST in the notes line. The cost is about $550 and any donation, however small will be a symbol of walking hand in hand with our companion. The deadline for collecting funds is November 14. Please keep our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe in your prayers during this time of transition! |
ELCA Steward Net - Steve Oelschlager, ELCA Stewardship Program Coordinator shares the following, 'The other day I came across an unconventional program that might be insightful to our church's efforts to grow stewards. While surfing the Internet, I stumbled upon the University of Jesus, a school that is dedicated to propagating the ideas, teachings and pedagogy of Jesus of Nazareth. The school's hope is "to further Jesus' vision (the Kingdom of God) of a different and better reality for all people." Read more in the Fall Steward Link here.
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 IN OUR PRAYERS
Prayers of Healing
for Pastor Becca Ehrlich
Prayers of Thanksgiving for Pastor Dwight Wascom as he begins his service as a board member of the Interim Ministry Association-ELCA
for Jay Berry (Atonement, Syracuse) who will be ordained on 11/22/15. Jay has received and accepted a call to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Oaklyn, NJ
Prayers of Thanksgiving at the marriage of Rev. Rick Kwiatkowski and Charles Franklin Samuel Little on 10/24/15
as Bishop Macholz, Pr. Norma Malfatti and Pr. Greg Tennermann host the Synod Welcoming Event on 11/4 and 11/5 at LCLC for rostered leaders new to the synod in 2014 and 2015
as Pastor Janet Griffiths begins as Chaplain at Lutheran Care Ministries Network on 11/1/15
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What's Your Image?
The Rostered Leader Profile (RLP) is the first image or snapshot that Bishops, their assistants and congregational leaders will have of you once you've submitted it. It is a very important document that should represent you as clearly and concisely as possible. In light of that, it is important that you fill it out carefully and have at least one other individual proofread it prior to submitting it to the Office of the Bishop.
I've asked the Deans to work with rostered leaders around this process and to act as editors. The truth of the matter is sometimes the Deans are not aware that a rostered leader is filling out their RLP! So, if that's the case, please find someone you trust who has proofreading skills to go over it with a fine tooth comb. Misspelled words and improper grammar are not your friends.
Finally, the document should be an accurate picture of who you are. Invite a trusted friend to read through it so that they can give you an honest appraisal of how you present yourself in the document.
John S. Macholz, Bishop
4th-8th Grade Advent Retreat
December 4-6, 2015, 7:00pm Friday through 11:00am Sunday at the Lake Chautaqua Lutheran Center. What better way to combine all you love about LCLC with the excitement of this special time of the year. Join us for this great way of getting your Advent and Christmas seasons off to an appropriate start. The LCLC Advent Retreat will include worship and Bible study, time to connect with friends, crafts including cookie decorating, caroling and time for games, hiking and much more. COST: $95 (Includes meals, lodging, and program, $10 of which is a non-refundable deposit. The registration deadline is 11/30/15. Click here for a registration form or call 716-386-4125 for more information.
A Beast for the Feast:
Our companion synod of Zimbabwe has two new local bishops, Rev. Michael Dube (Western Diocese), and Rev. Chemist Faindi (Eastern Diocese). Rev. Faindi will also be the head bishop for the whole ELCZ. It would be ideal for a member of our synod to attend the convocation of these bishops in December but the cost of airfare at that time of year is very expensive. An idea is to accompany them in spirit by contributing to the convocation feast (as well as our bishop sending greetings and best wishes in writing). Cattle are a valuable part of Zimbabwe families. During such an important event, one is purchased to feed the multitudes. If you would like to contribute to
"The Beast for the Feast", please make donations to the Upstate NY Synod and right FEAST BEAST in the notes line. The cost is about $550 and any donation, however small will be a symbol of walking hand in hand with our companion. The deadline for collecting funds is November 14. Please keep our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe in your prayers during this time of transition!
Reminder: congregations have until the end of the calendar year to complete their 2014 parochial reports to the ELCA. Each congregation logs in with their Congregation ID and a password. Congregations receive the password from the ELCA at the beginning of the year. If you have misplaced this information you may contact Karen Brundige,
kbrundige@upstatenysynod.org or (315) 299-4955 at the synod office and she will assist you. In light of recent attacks in places where large crowds are present Church Mutual has published an article on Active Assailant Emergency Planning. Although this is a subject that most people do not want to think about, much less talk about, having a plan in case of an emergency is always a good idea. Click here to access helpful tips to preparing a plan of action in the event of an unexpected emergency.
 "Recently LTSP hosted the rejuvenated Preaching Days on its campus. At the close of the event, President David Lose shared some words with those in attendance that addresses to all in the latest PS Portions: "We see you." What he meant by that is that LTSP knows about rostered leaders faithful ministry. . . and are appreciative. Read the October 2015 PS Portions
The partnership of the Grace Gathering and the 2016 Churchwide Assembly will provide a place for all members to prepare for the Reformation anniversary - which is an opportunity to rejoice in the life-giving, liberating power of the gospel - by connecting, reflecting on and discovering ways the Reformation continues to guide us today. Visit Grace Gathering
2016-2018 Clergy ID Cards are being processed and will be received in early December or sooner.
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