Ordination Announcements
Leah Danielle Holloway-Nilsen will be ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament on Friday, August 5 at 1:00 p.m. at Luther Memorial Church, Madison Wisconsin. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. Leah has been called to serve Calamus Lutheran Parish, Calamus, IA.
Rev. Max Franks was ordained in Kansas on June 25th. He has been called to serve at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport. Welcome to the synod Pastor Franks.
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Story and Sabbath Fall Conference
Join rostered ministers and professional ministry staff of congregations for the 2022 Fall Conference, “Story and Sabbath,” at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville. Presenters Ruben Duran and Rozella Haydee White will be presenting on the intersections of story, sabbath, wellness, and care. There will be time for learning, fellowship, conversation, and spiritual renewal.
Sunday, Sept. 25 - Tuesday, Sept. 27
Hyatt Conference Center
Coralville
Registration $175 ($150 early bird pricing before Aug. 15)
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Boundaries Training Workshop - August 30
The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center Leadership and Spiritual Life will provide Ethical Boundary Training for clergy and leaders within the Southeastern Iowa Synod.
Tuesday, August 30
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
via Zoom
Registration $40
What are healthy boundaries? Why are they important? What is the difference between boundary crossing and boundary violation? Beginning with an understanding of the nature of ministry, this workshop will focus on the broad range of professional boundaries that include but consist of much more than prevention of sexual misconduct. Some time will be devoted to concerns related to pandemic.
It is expected for rostered ministers who are currently serving to complete boundaries training every three years. These trainings do not need to be synod sponsored. If you have completed a boundaries training that is not synod sponsored, please send the documentation of completion to bishop@seiasynod.org
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Anti-Hunger Leaders Zoom-in and Resources
Does your congregation have a community meal? A food pantry? Part of an ecumenical food pantry? Close ties to some other anti-hunger or feeding ministry?
The recent food price increases and the April reduction of SNAP benefits are havings a big impact on households that face food insecurity. Drop in to talk about the state of food programs in your community or congregation, check in with others for ideas, and learn about some helpful resources.
Leaders of anti-hunger efforts are invited to drop-in via Zoom for either date (or both)
Thursday, July 7
7:00 - 8:00 PM
via Zoom
Register for Thursday
Monday, July 11
7:00 - 8:00 PM
via Zoom
Register for Monday
Questions? Contact Val Harlynn, communications@seiasynod.org
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Celebrating and Renewing our Companion Synod relationship
Join with others interested in companion congregation/synod relations to celebrate and renew our companion synod relationship with Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT)
Saturday, August 20
10:00 am - 2:00 pm (lunch provided)
Bethesda Lutheran Church - Ames
Please RSVP by Monday, August 15
We will celebrate and renew our Companion Synod Relationship with the Pare Diocese and congregations in the Mwanga Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and plan for our shared mission together with our partners in the ELCA and ELCT
Anyone in the Southeastern Iowa Synod who are either passionate about or curious about our companion synod relationships with the Pare Diocese and congregations in the Mwanga Diocese is welcome to attend. Congregations with relationships with congregations in Tanzania or projects underway in partnership with ministries in the dioceses are encouraged to send participants if possible.
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"Growing Young" Book Club
Join members of congregations across the Southeastern Iowa Synod for a book study on Growing Young. Together you will discover the 6 essential strategies used to engage youth and young adults in meaningful ways.
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM until August 2
via Zoom
Questions? Email Pastor Dan Kuckuck, kuckuck@seiasynod.org
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 Embody the Word, ELCA Churchwide Assembly Bible Study
Members are encouraged to consider the double meaning of the assembly theme, “Embody the Word”: “embody” can mean both the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the life of the church emerging from a pandemic, whereas “word” can mean both Jesus Christ and Scripture. All sessions will be held Sunday afternoons in July, from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Central time:
• July 10 – Rev. Jay Alanis
• July 17 – Sally Azar
• July 24 – Man Hei Yip
• July 31 – Denise Rector
You may also view the Bible study sessions live or on-demand on the ELCA YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/ELCA. Find information about the 2022 Churchwide Assembly at www.ELCA.org/CWA
There are also pre-written prayers to use in your congregation to pray for the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.
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Rostered Ministers now qualify for student loan forgiveness
Until July 2021, the PSLF program excluded church workers from consideration, but that exclusion has been removed, and many pastors and deacons may now be eligible. This is an opportunity for those who have served congregations or specialized ministries to greatly reduce the burden of their educational debt.
Determining whether you qualify for PSLF and completing the application process can be cumbersome, but there are resources available to help you. Learn more
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July Portico Updates
Parenting Kids with Anxiety: A new course on Being for the ELCA-Primary members. In these lessons, Renee Jain, will teach you how to help your kid transform their anxiety into courage, confidence, resilience, and self-love. Log into your myPortico account and go to Being.
Living with Anxiety and Depression: Another new course on Being for the ELCA-Primary members. In this learning experience, helps you understand what's happening in your brain and body when you're stuck in the negativity loop — a vicious cycle of negative thoughts, emotions, sensations, and behaviors. Learn strategies for recognizing the bad habits that perpetuate it and provides science-based strategies for replacing negative habits with healthier ones to boost overall wellbeing. Log into your myPortico account and go to Being.
Annual Enrollment for 2023: Each summer, Portico reaches out to help you get a jump on Portico's Annual Enrollment. Why? Health benefits are critically important to the ELCA's rostered ministers and church staff. Portico's 2023 Annual Enrollment will be required again this October. Before then, you’ll need to review Portico's health benefit options and costs, and select one option to offer next year. Look for helpful resources right available on EmployerLink.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Struggling with problems related to grief, marriage, parenting, work-related challenges, finances, or substance abuse? EAP is a great first step. It can connect you with a master's-level professional counselor who can provide up to six covered sessions per issue per year at no added cost to you. First Step: Call 800.432.5155; available 24/7. A benefit through Beacon Health.
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Job Postings and Classifieds
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“So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith” (Galatians 6:10). Pray that our faith and gratitude for God’s love might move us to care for people — in our communities of faith and everywhere else — who face difficult situations.
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