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Online Synod-wide Worship Service
A pre-recorded worship service has been created for congregations to use, with Bishop Amy Current preaching. The service follows the Revised Common Lectionary for Sunday, October 2, but can be used at any time. This service was created to help rostered ministers and professional ministry staff who are attending the fall conference and is available to all congregations and ministries of the Southeastern Iowa Synod. A full worship service, bulletin, and other accompanying files can be found on the synod website.
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 Fall Stewardship Resources
This four-week stewardship resource follows the weekly lectionary from October 2 through October 23 and contains background information, worship resources, and questions for reflection. Download the PDF now to begin planning for October.
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Go Tell the World Faith Story Videos: New Video and Reflection Guides Now Available
Thi s video series is a collection of faith stories. Each of the speakers talks about the ways God has guided them, called them, and surprised them. The videos vary in length from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. There are also handout reflection questions to help you, your faith formation group, or your congregation think more deeply about your own story of faith.
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Boundaries Training Opportunities Resource
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. The Office of the Bishop has compiled a short resource of online boundaries training opportunities for those looking to fulfill this requirement. If you have other resources or opportunities that might be good to share contact Pastor Dan Kuckuck, kuckuck@seiasynod.org
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Ordination Announcements
Anne Williams has been called to serve Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Vinton and will be ordained on Saturday, October 15 at 2:00 PM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny. All rostered ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is red.
 Rev. Tamara Siburg was ordained and installed on Friday, September 9 in Clinton, Iowa. Pastor Siburg has been called to serve at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clinton.
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We Are Woven Together
By Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, this article originally appeared in Living Lutheran
He was a young man. In his early 20s. He had cancer. His mother and stepfather cared for him to the point of weariness. The family was unchurched, but a friend was a member of our parish and asked if I could visit them. That’s how I came to walk with them in the last months.
There were hospitalizations and finally palliative care. The young man endured with stoic courage. His mother and stepfather never waivered in their care. Friends supported the family by bringing meals and sometimes just sitting in silence with them. At last, the call I knew was coming came. The young man had died. Continue reading...
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New Grant Opportunity: Grants for COVID Emergencies
To accompany leaders facing these situations, Resourceful Servants, an initiative of the ELCA churchwide organization and its ministry partners, is launching the Grants for COVID Emergencies program. Through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc., this program provides up to 200 ELCA leaders with one-time grants of $1,000 and membership in the ELCA Federal Credit Union.
This program is open to ELCA rostered ministers as well as those who lead congregations but are not ordained (for example, synod-authorized ministers, non-ordained mission developers, and leaders of communities in the Vulnerable and Vital Network or Homeless and Justice Network).
Find out more about the Grants for COVID Emergencies program by visiting the website. The due date to complete the application is Oct. 23.
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ELCA Vital Congregations Training
Is your congregation ready to take some steps (even small steps) toward renewal or revitalization? Are you ready to try some new things, share some ideas, gain a greater understanding of the broader mission, bring clarity about your own congregation’s mission, acquire knowledge on how to live that out in community, gain confidence to share what you have learned with the world, and find new allies from within a cohort of congregations? Then, you are invited to attend the 2022 Fall Session of the ELCA Vital Congregations Training.
This is a fast-paced co-creative and co-experimental Training facilitated by leaders with steep experience in redeveloping congregations as well as added guest presenters from a variety of settings with a wealth of knowledge. These principles and more will be explored: focusing on Jesus and justice; being expectant of the Holy Spirit; living as disciples of Jesus; multiplying leaders who are young, diverse, and bring fresh insights; and aligning with purpose and core values.
This will be a four-session training. The training sessions will be held two times per day from 1:30-3:00 p.m. (eastern time) and from 7:30-9:00 p.m. (eastern time) on October 6th, October 20th, November 3rd, and November 17th. You may choose the best time each day that works for you. All sessions will be recorded and available to all registered participants. Pastors and congregations are encouraged to come as teams of 3–5 people for a time of inspiration, learning, planning, sharing, experimenting, visioning, and implementing.
Register online
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Portico Updates and Annual Enrollment information
2023 Update on Health Rates and Plan Changes | What's changing for 2023:
ELCA-Primary health contribution baseline rate will increase 3%, the same rate increase as last year, which was the lowest in eight years. The 3% increase also applies to sponsored members receiving the ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefit Standard option. ELCA-Primary Gold+ option deductibles will increase to $1,500 for member only, $2,250 for member and child(ren) and $3,000 for member and spouse or member, spouse, and child(ren). Coinsurance, out-of-pocket limits, and prescription drug cost-share will not change.
With 2023 Annual Enrollment beginning soon, a few reminders:
The ELCA recommends two ELCA-Primary health benefit options: (1) Gold+ or (2) Silver+ with a monthly employer contribution to the member's health savings account (HSA). If your employer offers Silver+, you’ll have the choice to stay with Silver+ or choose the Gold+ option. You will receive more information about 2023 Annual Enrollment and your specific benefits in the next few months. Sponsoring employers can estimate their 2023 costs using their Custom Comparison Report on EmployerLink.
2023 Annual Enrollment
Retirees select Oct. 3 – 12
Congregations/Organizations select Oct. 3 – 14
Plan members select Oct. 20 – 27
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jennifer Prinz, Regional Representative from Portico. She can be reached at JPrinz@porticobenefits.org
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Job Postings and Classifieds
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Altar, Pulpit, and Font: St. James Lutheran Church in Johnston has an altar, pulpit and baptismal font to give away. See photos Contact Linda Queck if interested, steward@stjamesjohnston.org
Three Open Positions (Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids)
Business Manager: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids is looking for an accounting/financial professional to fill a part-time Business Manager position. A degree in accounting, finance or business is preferred but not required. Candidates must have experience in preparing financial reports and budgets, processing payroll reports in accordance with governmental regulations, managing accounts payables and reconciling/balancing church bank and investment accounts. Candidates should be a team player who is detail-oriented, dependable and have excellent organizational skills. Position is approximately 30 hours per month (2 days per week) with lots of flexibility. Salary is commensurate with experience. For a complete job description, visit our website at www.gloriadeicr.com. To apply, send your resume to office@gloriadeicr.com
Director of Music: Love music? Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids is seeking a Director of Music to provide overall coordination of the church’s musical activities. In this position, you will serve as the main Worship Musician, Choir Director and Tone Chime (Bells) Choir Director. Ideal candidates must possess a professional level of musical talent from education, training or experience. A bachelor’s degree in a musical field is preferred but not required. A theological understanding of worship and music, including an understanding of the liturgical calendar and seasons, and experience accompanying soloists, ensembles and congregations, is a must. For a complete job description, visit our website at www.gloriadeicr.com. Salary is commensurate with experience. For consideration, please send your resume to office@gloriadeicr.com
Faith Life Director: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids is looking to fill a newly created position for Faith Life Director. This is a ¾ to full-time position responsible for developing opportunities for members of the congregation (youth and adult) to practice Christian faith in daily life. The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree and have experience with youth and/or cross-generational ministry and faith formation. A passion for encouraging growth in faith and discipleship and an understanding of the Lutheran theological foundation are a must. For a complete job description, visit our website at www.gloriadeicr.com. Salary is commensurate with experience. For consideration, please send your resume to office@gloriadeicr.com
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First Lutheran Church in Conroy invites individuals and groups to apply for monies from our First Lutheran All Mission Endowment (FLAME) Fund. As a community of worship and service, we have an endowment fund to enhance the mission of the greater church. Our goal is to award annual disbursements to projects that are consistent with the mission, purpose, and priorities of First Lutheran, yet stand apart from the general operations of the congregation. These disbursements will fund projects in local communities, regional ministries, and global mission. In 2022, they were able to distribute over $19,000 to 18 different groups. Completed applications are due by email, hard copy receipt at the church, or postmarked no later than September 30th. Learn more and apply
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2022 Middle School Lock-In - UNI
Emerge (verb): move out of or away from something and come into view.
From where we've been, heading into something new. We've all gone through a lot of change and uncertainty these past few years, and it feels like we are creating something new. We hope the lock-in is a chance to connect with other youth from our synod and state, and see how we are all emerging into this new state of being love and disciples of Christ, living and loving as Jesus did.
Who: Your Jr. High Age students/confirmation classes (12-15 years old)
When: Friday, October 21st-Saturday the 22nd, from 8:00PM-6:00AM.
Where: Wellness/Recreation Center, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls
Cost: $45/youth,* free for chaperones
*Registration after October 1st is $60/youth.
Learn more
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Ask God to attend to those suffering hunger, poverty, illness and crisis. Pray that we will always recognize and respond to our neighbors in need and that our care and concern will reflect God’s boundless love and mercy for humankind.
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