An Evening with the Bishop

 

I invite you to join me for an evening of conversation and fellowship. We will gather around the theme that flows out of our synod assembly, "When Hungry Hearts Find Bread."

These evenings are precious opportunities for enhancing the mission we share. In addition to sharing my thoughts and hopes for ministry, I look forward to the opportunity to talk and dream about how our connections to one another in Christ can bring to expression a bold and hopeful witness to our communities and the whole world.

 

Tuesday, September 10 

6:30-8:00 pm

More information

 

Thursday, September 12
6:30-8:00 pm
All Saints Lutheran Church, Davenport

More information

 

Tuesday, September 17
6:30-8:00 pm
St. James Lutheran Church, Johnston

More information

At the 2013 Churchwide Assembly that concluded in August, a number of mandatory amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations were adopted. The amendments need to be added to your congregation's constitution as soon as possible and approved by your congregation at an annual meeting or other legally called meeting.  

 

Amendments adopted by the churchwide assembly do not need presentation at a prior meeting. 

The amendments are available in a pdf document: 2013 Amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory and must be included in your constitution as they are written and with the identical numbering.

 

As you begin updating your constitution, the Constitution Committee is ready to help answer any questions you have. Please contact Eric Carlson in the synod office for assistance. Thanks to all of you who have undertaken the work of updating your congregation's constitution!

 

We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. On Sept 8, congregations from our synod will be joining nearly 10,000 congregations, and 65 synods for a dedicated day of service as part of the ELCA's year-long 25th anniversary celebration. 

 

Congregations in our synod will be volunteering at local food pantries, leading bible studies, cleaning up neighborhoods, and making quilts. We want to share how congregations in the Southeastern Iowa Synod are being God's hands and feet in their communities. Please send your pictures from "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday to Minda Davison, Director for Communications, to davison@seiasynod.org. Please include a picture of your congregation members gathered around your church sign. This picture will be used as part of a thank you that is being put together by the synod for Presiding Bishop Hanson.

 

On Sept 8, you can tweet @seiasynod and use #godsworkourhands. 

Gear Up for New Portico Health Benefits

 

As summer winds down and another year of ministry kicks off, make room on your to-do list for one more thing: An important decision about health benefits for congregation employees.

 

In response to health care reform, Portico has announced that ELCA-Primary health benefits will offer four options in 2014 instead of the one option available today.

 

This fall, every congregation that provides ELCA health benefits and every ELCA health plan member under age 65 needs to decide, together, which option to participate in next year.

 

Visit Portico's website for resources to help congregations and plan members understand the four options and how to approach this decision.

• Sponsoring employers, visit EmployerLink.PorticoBenefits.org. Report your decision online Sept. 16 - Oct. 14.
• Plan members, visit myPortico.PorticoBenefits.org. Report your decision online Nov. 1 - 22.

For more information, contact Portico at 800.352.2876.

You are invited to join with women of the Southeastern Iowa Synod for an interactive retreat where the wisdom of our presenter, Barbara M. Szweda, will blend with the wisdom of all the women gathered. Sponsored by First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Centerville, IA, "Companion on the Journey" is a women's retreat focused around learning how to be a companion to our neighbor down the street and to our global neighbor as we travel together through our life journey.

October 25, 6:00 pm - October 27, Noon

Grey Goose Inn, Lake Rathbun

Registration Fee: $150 (double room) or $175 (single room)

Registration deadline is September 15. For more information on how to register, contact First Evangelical Lutheran church at 641-856-3937 or email felc@mchsi.com