Fall Gathering Registration Open Now
The Southeastern Iowa Synod will gather for worship, learning, fellowship, and connection at the 2026 Synod Fall Gathering, held September 27–30, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport. Registration is open now.
The gathering will officially begin with dinner at 5:00 PM on Sunday, September 27, and conclude at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, September 29. Centered on the theme of Storytelling and Story Sharing, participants will explore stories from Scripture and their own lives of faith. The event will feature keynote leaders Rolf Jacobson (Luther Seminary) and Melissa Wiginton (Austin Presbyterian Seminary), along with musical fellowship from The Fleshpots of Egypt.
This gathering is open to all pastors and deacons who are serving in calls, SAMs, interns, and lay ministry professionals.
A block of 25 guest rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn & Suites Davenport (4215 Elmore Avenue) and will be available until Tuesday, September 8. To reserve a room, please contact the hotel directly at 563-344-2900.
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Ordination Anniversary Celebration
On August 20, Pastor Ralph Andersen celebrates the 65th anniversary of his ordination into ministry. In 1961, Pastor Ralph was installed as pastor at Immanuel Lutheran in Kimballton and served there until 1966. Pastor Ralph went on to serve at St. Paul Lutheran in Cedar Falls (1966–1978), First Lutheran in Ottumwa (1978–1993), and Faith (now Unity) Lutheran in Burlington (1993–2001). Throughout his years in ministry, Pastor Ralph participated in several synodical committees and task forces as well as various community organizations and non-profits. In retirement, Pastor Ralph has served as interim pastor for many congregations and still continues to provide pulpit supply several Sundays per month. Pastor Ralph's favorite part of ministry is “communicating and sharing the faith,” and his hope for the church is that it continues to do just that. We give thanks for Pastor Ralph's years of faithful ministry and continued service to God's people.
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Planned Giving & Generosity Workshop
Join ELCA Foundation Regional Gift Planner Stephen Phelps and Southeastern Iowa Synod Associate to the Bishop for Finance Amy Van Dyke for a virtual Planned Giving and Generosity Workshop on Thursday, September 24. Two sessions are available to accommodate your schedule: 10:00–11:30 AM or 6:00–7:30 PM.
This workshop is designed for church councils, stewardship and finance committees, pastors, administrators, ministry leaders, and congregation members who want to strengthen their congregation’s approach to generosity and planned giving.
Participants will discover how a comprehensive stewardship strategy includes both current giving and planned giving, helping ensure that your congregation and the ministries of the ELCA have the resources to carry out God’s mission for generations to come. Click below to register to attend.
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Boundaries Education Registration Open
Synods in Region 5 of the ELCA are collaborating on this year’s Boundaries Education focusing on racial justice on Thursday, November 5, from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, with lunch provided. Sessions will be held simultaneously in various locations in synods throughout the region. This training is required for rostered ministers in a call or interim call, but is also open to interns, SAMs, professional ministry staff, and faith formation staff.
In the Southeastern Iowa Synod, locations for the sessions include:
Bethesda Lutheran Church, Ames
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clinton
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Iowa City
Click the button below to learn more about the day's facilitator and register to attend by Thursday, October 22, at 12:00 PM.
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Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) Summer Announcements
Looking for men's ministry ideas, inspiration and potential connections? Check out the LMM 2026 Summer Ambassador Gram by clicking below.
Also, mark your calendars for the One Year to Live Retreat coming up at Camp Ewalu on October 23–25. Registration is open now.
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Miss LSM This Summer? Watch on Demand
The 2026 Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) Academy & Festival season may be over, but the inspiring music continues online.
Watch more than 40 concerts, worship services, recitals, and special events from this summer whenever it’s convenient for you. Catch up on the performances you missed or experience your favorite moments again with LSM On Demand.
Enjoy the Bach Cantata Eucharist, Festival of Hymns, plus performances by the Festival Band, Choir, and Orchestra, and many more joyful moments from this summer's season.
Visit LSMacademy.org/on-demand to browse the replays and start watching today!
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Equipping the Church to Dismantle White Supremacy Webinar Series
In partnership with the ELCA Strategy for Authentic Diversity, the Albert “Pete” Pero, Jr. and Cheryl Stewart Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and the ELCA Association of White Lutherans for Racial Justice, presents a 5-part webinar series running through January 12, 2027 surrounding the topic of equipping the church to dismantle white supremacy.
The next session will be on Tuesday, September 8, at 7:00 PM. Click below to register.
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Learn and Discern: New ELCA Podcast
This summer, the ELCA task force reconsidering a section of Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust has launched Learn and Discern, a five‑episode podcast designed to support congregations during the reconsideration process. Episodes explore the history of ELCA social teaching on human sexuality, Lutheran ethical perspectives, the “bound conscience,” areas of agreement and disagreement, and approaches to faithful conversation.
Audio and video episodes are being released throughout the summer as a companion to the Conscience and Conversation study. Find the first few episodes anywhere you listen to podcasts.
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For the People
- For Pastor Clark Olson-Smith
- For Pastor Kathleen Wohlers
- For Pastor Melissa Waterman
- For Pastor Mike Massa's spouse, Kathy
- For Pastor Barbara Hayden
- For Deacon Heidi Larson's daughter, Maggie
- For Pastor Tim Olson
- For Pastor Andrea Myers
- For Pastor Eliezer Ortiz's spouse, Rebecca
- For an end to conflicts and violence in the world, including in our own communities
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For the Grieving
- For the family of Bishop-Emeritus Steven Ullestad, former bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod, at his death
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