Deacon Jodi Schuman Announces Her Retirement
After five years as a member of the staff of the Office of the Bishop and ten years of ordained ministry, Deacon Jodi Schuman has announced her retirement, effective June 12, 2026.
Deacon Jodi writes:
As I enter retirement, my heart is filled with deep gratitude. I am grateful for the ministry partnership with my colleagues from the office of the bishop, the rostered ministers, and lay people across this synod and the Church. I pray that God's promises for all, in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, will continue to be made known in and through the congregations and ministries of this synod. I am looking forward to a future doing things I enjoy outside of work—cooking for others, traveling, sewing and other needlecraft, and volunteering in my congregation and community.
Bishop Current offers these thoughts upon Deacon Jodi's announcement:
I give thanks to God for Deacon Jodi Schuman. Let me count the ways…for her many gifts and talents, for her commitment to the Gospel, and for her deep call as a Deacon - Minister of Word and Service. Throughout these 5(ish) years, she has been an activator for our team, a partner for many congregations, councils, and individuals in our synod, a faithful preacher, a creative teacher, and an ambitious administrator with a good balance of synod history and fresh creativity, plus she has mad catering skills. I will miss her in this role. I am sure she will continue to be a faithful member of our synod, her congregation, and our church.
The Southeastern Iowa Synod gives thanks for Deacon Jodi’s faithful ministry, leadership, and dedicated service. Her gifts have blessed congregations, leaders, and communities across the synod in countless ways, and her presence on the synod staff will be deeply missed. As she enters this new season of retirement, we pray God’s continued blessings upon her and give thanks for the many ways she will continue to share her gifts in service to others. May this next chapter be filled with joy, rest, creativity, and abundant grace!
