Synod E-News
A Weekly Update on Ministry in Western North Dakota
In Mission Together:
Enhancing the health of our leaders so our leaders can enhance the lives of God's people 

Each year, Portico Benefits Services,jogging-women.jpg the benefit ministry for the ELCA, partners with Mayo Clinic and invites plan members and spouses to take the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment.  When 65% of a synod's primary plan members and spouses take the assessment by April 30th, Portico provides a 2% discount the healthcare contributions for all congregations of the synod.  In addition they also provide the synod with a 1% return to help fund wellness initiatives in their synod.  In addition individuals who take the assessment receive $150 in wellness dollars that can be applied toward health care expenses.  If take advantage of additional wellness incentives, they can receive an additional $350 in wellness dollars as well.  That's $500 per individual or $1000 per couple.

 

Why is taking this assessment so important?  Of course on the surface, there is the financial incentive.  Taking the assessment saves our congregations money and makes more healthcare $ available to our leaders and their families.  But more importantly it's about stewarding the health of our leaders.  More

 

Legislative UpdateMany law books in the shelf s of library     Note  Slight blurriness, best at smaller sizes

 Synod Attorney Murray Sagsveen has prepared a memo on Legislative items that may be of interest to congregations.  Latest Updates have been posted to the synod website.   More 

Lorentzsen Luncheon, March 19

Join speakers Jesse Veeder, folk musician, columnist and North Dakota Ambassador Award winner, and Bill Sorensen '73, former mayor of Bismarck, N.D., for a conversation about Inspirational Leadership in the Spotlight. This event  is hosted by Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. More 

Clergy Tax Preparation Guide
concentration-business-man.jpg Tax issues for clergy can be complicated. To help you tend to your financial well-being, Portico offers resources to help you better understand your tax situation, both now and in retirement including the annual Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide by Richard R. Hammar - at no cost to plan members. More                                                
Scholarships available for EQ HR Events
Five Wellness Scholarships of $500 each are still available for rostered leaders interested in participating in an Emotional Intelligence and Human Relations Worship.  The closest workshops coming up this summer will be held in St. Paul, MN, Allen Spark, CO or Saskatoon, SK.  View a listing of all upcoming workshops.  Contact Lisa Ahlness for scholarship information. 
We need 48 to reach 2%
Health Assessment Link Got ELCA-Primary health benefits? Take the health assessment by April 30. If 65% of us do it, all our synod employers will save a collective $23,000. We are currently at 24% and need 48 more primary plan members and spouses to take the assessment to reach 65%.

 

New this year: To take the Mayo Clinic health assessment, access Mayo Clinic Healthy Living online directly through myPortico - no separate Mayo Clinic ID and password necessary. Go to PorticoBenefits.org/HealthyLiving for details. 

More Synod News . . . 
Click the links below to read more about what's happening in the Western North Dakota Synod

Annual Report to the Bishop
All ELCA Rostered Leaders are expected to submit a report to their synodical bishop each year.  Report forms are available on the synod website under Resources - Resources for Rostered Leaders.  More
 
Tax Info for Clergy Related to Health Coverage

Since they are not part of the Federal Health Exchange, Portico Benefits will not be issuing a Form 1095C as proof of health insurance, but learn what documents can be submitted in lieu of this form More 

 

Submit a Resolution for Consideration by Synod Assembly
Use the Resolution Worksheet and Guidelines to submit a resolution for consideration by Synod Assembly.  Resolutions are due March 31, 2015.
  
Synod Transitions
Calls Accepted
Rev. Norman Paskowsky to Sherwood Area Lutheran Parish
Kathi Nygaard to Granville Norwich Lutheran Parish

Installations

March 8, 2015, Rev. Norman Paskowsky at Sherwood Area Lutheran Parish

       March 11, 2015
Save the Date:
2015 Synod Assembly
June 4:  Pre-Assembly Workshop & Mission Gala
June 5-6: Synod Assembly
Quick Links
Upcoming Events

Lorentzsen Luncheon, Bismarck - March 19



In Our Prayers . . .

Synod Congregations:
Wilmington Lutheran, Arnegard
Zion Lutheran, Ashley
Balfour Lutheran, Balfour
Barton Lutheran, Barton
Bethel Lutheran, Battleview

Those facing health concerns:
Rev. Jeff Giles
Linda Nygard (wife of Rev. Mark Nygard)
Rev. Karen Edwards
Rev. Stephanie Swanson
Carol Moen - retired AIM

Those who have lost loved ones:
Family of Rev. Ronald Bolinger,
Family of Rev. Tim Solberg
 

Others:

Our companion synod: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic 

Western North Dakota Synod-ELCA | 701-223-5312 | [email protected] | http://wndsynod.org
1614 Capitol Way
PO Box 370
Bismarck, ND 58502