Synod Council Meeting Summary—September 2026
The Southeastern Iowa Synod Council met in person with two joining via Zoom for our September meeting on Saturday, September 12. We began with introductions as we are getting to know one another as half of the council is newly elected. We continued with a short devotion on the first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer from Luther's Small Catechism and reflection on our favorite portions of this prayer.
We adopted the agenda and proceeded to our education session related to ELCA Benefits, Portico health insurance plans, and our annual selection process. Amy Van Duke, Associate to the Bishop for Finance, and Bishop Current tag teamed regarding health insurance increases, the uniqueness of the ELCA benefits partner, Portico, and best practices for open conversations and discernment in congregations.
Bishop Current then shared a Mission Moment highlighting the ELCT-ELCA Consultation held in Arusha, Tanzania in August 2026. She, Pastor Kuckuck, and Pastor Stubbs attended along with our companion synod partners, Pare and Mwanga Dioceses. There were 10 ELCA Synods and 12 ELCT Dioceses engaged in the Consultation. It was amazing.
Synod Council actions included passing the consent agenda, roster matters, financial report, reading and signing an annual Conflict of Interest form, selecting our auditor for FY 2026, and selecting the Portico "Select CoPay" health insurance plan for 2027 for the Office of the Bishop.
The Bishop provided a report relating to congregational transitions, website refresh, upcoming generosity reports and events, planned giving, campus ministry updates, and a potential resolution forthcoming from Iowa Synods.
The Synod Council agreed that we recommend that congregations and their pastors/deacons and employees take adequate time to study Portico resources, welcome open communication with rostered ministers/employees about their families health insurance needs, and then together discern how to provide benefits. Portico is the ELCA's Benefits partner and the recommended benefits provider. Please contact the customer care team at Portico with questions prior to making your selections.