The Synod Council met on Saturday, February 12, over Zoom. Mark Witte led the devotions centered on
a reading from Acts 9. The meeting continued with the education session. Bishop Current led the session
on a detailed look at the synod finances while sharing the philosophy behind the structure of funds and
spending patterns. The Southeastern Iowa Synod maintains a healthy financial position with the ability
to be generous to our churchwide organization and partner agencies and institutions in our region. This
look at the accounts and commitments provided background information in formulating the spending
plan for 2023 to bring before the 2022 Synod Assembly.
In regular business, the council approved committee appointments and roster changes. Treasurer Jana
Grimm shared the un-audited end-of-year financial report with the council. The audit is scheduled for
mid-March. With gratitude for the generous mission support from congregations and faithful
stewardship by the staff and council, the year ended with a positive balance. The council discussed how
to put any surplus into use to further the mission of the synod and will decide in a special meeting ahead
of the audit. In past years, surplus dollars have been sent as an additional grant to Lutheran Services in
Iowa and added to the synod’s Fund for Leaders, and synod reserve funds. Jana also brought two
motions before the council to approve referring a proposed 2023 Budget and to approve referring
proposed base salary rates for the 2023 Minimum Compensation Guidelines to the 2022 Synod
Assembly.
The Office of the Bishop staff provided an update on 2022 Synod Assembly planning under the theme of
“Go Tell the World.” Registration will open soon for the assembly which will be held at the Coralville
Hyatt Regency, formerly the Coralville Marriott, on May 20 and 21. The assembly will be conducted
nearly paperless with the use of electronic voting. Worship will be at the center of the time together.
Voting members and other guests of the assembly will have the opportunity to engage with two
programs, Growing Young and Braver Angels, as well as many other opportunities for fellowship and
learning.
