The meeting was held outdoors in Iowa City.
Members of the Synod Council and Office of the Bishop staff met on Saturday, July 17, at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City. Gathering in worship around Psalm 23, the Council met to conduct business and receive reports. Business items included extending synod council calls, updating financial institution signatories, approving seeking bids for two information technology projects, a website rebuild, and new database management software. The Synod Council approved transmitting a resolution to the ELCA Church Council on advocacy for Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.
The council participated in discussion and some hands-on activities about the use and implications of resolutions in the Southeastern Iowa Synod.
The Synod Council spent time learning about the purpose of resolutions that come before the Synod Council or Synod Assembly and how the Council can plan for action steps in living out the desired outcomes of a resolution. Bishop Current shared information from the recent Office of the Bishop
staff retreat in June. The time spent helped the staff solidify values for working together and themes for the Bishop’s priorities guiding their ministry: Proclaim the good news of Jesus, Equip rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregations for their ministry, and Accompany the same groups in mission.
The next meeting of the Synod Council will be Saturday, September 18 at the Synod Center for Ministry in Iowa City.
