Synod Council Synopsis- September
The Synod Council met on Saturday, September 13, at the Synod Center for Ministry in Iowa City. Pastor Dan Kuckuck provided the mission moment by sharing information about the grant awarded the Southeastern Iowa Synod in collaboration with the other two Iowa synods and the South Central Synod of Wisconsin $87,750 from Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Castle Project. The grant money will be used to support the formation process for synod authorized ministers (SAMs). In addition to curriculum for formation, the grant will provide funding to train mentors and coaches to work with the SAMs.
The education session for this meeting focused on preparing the council to select a health plan for the Office of the Bishop staff for 2026. Deacon Jodi Schuman shared the ELCA’s philosophy to have benefits provided for rostered ministers and other employees that support well-being for the sponsored employee and their household. Providing just compensation and benefits allows the rostered minister and other staff to use their gifts for their calling without worry of providing for their household. Portico Benefits, a ministry of the ELCA, offers bundled retirement, health, disability, and life benefits to assist sponsoring employers with providing these benefits.
Each year sponsoring employers must select a health benefit plan for their employees. For 2026 there are four plans all endorsed by the ELCA Church Council. There are two levels of deductibles and within each deductible level, two plans. One plan offers a copay option with predictable costs for many health services. The other plan allows for a health savings account (HSA) for the employee. Contributions to the HSA are made by the employer and can be made by the employee as well. Each year the Executive Committee asks the covered synod employees to share which plan works best for their households to assist the council in making the selection. The Synod Council voted to select the Copay 2000 plan for 2026. The Synod Council encourages congregations to use the decision-making resources from Portico to assist in their own selection. Jennifer Prinz, the synod’s customer care representative, is offering a webinar on October 2 for congregation leaders.
In other business the council responded to an invitation to support the 125th jubilee celebration in the Mwanga Diocese in Tanzania. The council authorized a $1250 gift. That celebration takes place in the coming weeks.
In July the council authorized the Executive Committee to appoint a Bishop Election Committee for the 2026 Synod Assembly. The committee has been appointed and will begin work soon. Information about the election process will be forthcoming as the committee organizes and meets with the ELCA Office of the Secretary.
Pastor Kuckuck reported on his sabbatical which occurred from mid-May through July. In addition to family time and travel, he worked on a project for his Doctor of Ministry degree. This project centers around how effective storytelling can make community. He also shared about upcoming synod events such as the Fall Gathering at the end of September, the annual boundary education for rostered ministers and lay professionals on November 6, and four “Spirit, Open our Hearts” gatherings on Sunday afternoons in November. Pastor Kuckuck shared a transition report with the council. 98 of the 131 worshiping communities have a settled pastor or SAM. The remaining 33 are at some point in the process toward calling a new pastor.
The next meeting for the synod council will be Saturday, December 13 on Zoom.