Synod Council Summary, Sept. 16

Synod Council Summary - September 16, 2023

The Synod Council met on Saturday, September 16 at the Synod Center for Ministry for a regularly scheduled meeting. In light of the 2023 Lutheran World Federation (LWF) assembly currently taking place in Krakow, Poland, Bishop Current led an education session about LWF. In addition to approving roster changes, and appointing a Finance Committee, Human Resources Committee, and Compensation Guidelines Task Force, the council also approved the 2024 Portico Benefits health benefit Gold+ level for those covered by the synod. At each September meeting, the synod council members review the synod Conflict of Interest policy and complete and sign a disclosure form that is kept on file. Bishop Current’s report included information for council discussion on the ELCA Task Force for Reconsideration of Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. Bishop Current highlighted upcoming meeting for Church Council Presidents and Rostered Ministers on a variety of important topics. She highlighted the pilot program for training synod-authorized ministers (SAMs) that is underway.

Bishop Current also reported on her recent trip with members from Resurrection Lutheran Church in Ankeny to Las Cruces, New Mexico with the Border Servant Corps. A synod trip is planned for 2024. In addition, plans are being developed for a synod Holy Lands trip in 2025 led by Bishop Current. Bishop Current reviewed the synod’s sabbatical policy for rostered ministers. Pastor Erika Uthe is currently on sabbatical. Bishop Current, Pastor Dan Kuckuck, and Deacon Jodi Schuman have each made plans for sabbaticals in 2024 and 2025.

The next meeting of the synod council will be Saturday, December 9.