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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IRS Increases Mileage Rate, Effective July 1, 2026
On July 13, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service announced a rare mid-year update to the optional standard mileage rates. This adjustment results from recent increases in the price of fuel. Effective July 1, 2026, the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, medical, or moving purposes each increased as follows:
- 76 cents per mile driven for business use (up 3.5 cents from the rate that took effect on January 1, 2026)
- 23.5 cents per mile driven for medical purposes (up 3 cents from the rate that took effect on January 1, 2026)
The rate for miles driven by volunteers in service of charitable organizations remains
unchanged at 14 cents per mile because this is set by federal statute.
The changed rates apply to miles driven on or after July 1, 2026. The rates that took effect on January 1, 2026, apply to miles driven through June 30, 2026.
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Conscience & Conversation Zoom Study with Bishop Current
It's not too late to plan to attend this two‑session study led by Bishop Current as part of the ELCA’s Social Statement reconsideration process. “Conscience and Conversation: A Study During the Reconsideration of Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” will meet via Zoom this Wednesday, August 12, and next Wednesday, August 19, from 6:30–8:00 PM.
Participants will have the chance to study, learn, pray, and share their own voices in this important churchwide conversation. Click below to learn more about the study from Bishop Current or to join the Zoom session.
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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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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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New Student Welcome at UI LCM
Lutheran Campus Ministries (LCM) at the University of Iowa invites new students and their families to stop by for free food, freebies for your dorm room, and a break in the air conditioning this Saturday, August 15, from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. No sign-up required—just stop by!
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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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Augustana University's Sacred Discoveries Grant
Augustana University's Sacred Discoveries program has been awarded a grant from the Lilly Endowment’s National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life and is using this grant to fund microgrants of up to $12,000 for congregations and ministry partners to share authentic and compelling stories of Christian faith and flourishing among young adults. The Fall 2026 cycle of applications is due by Friday, October 16. Click to learn more.
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Creation in Christ Sunday
Information & Worship Materials
A new ecumenical observance is being encouraged across the global church on the first or second Sunday in September—a day called “Creation in Christ” (or the “Feast of Creation”). Rooted in the ancient traditions of the Orthodox Church, this celebration lifts up God as Creator and reflects on the mystery that all things were made through Christ.
It’s a chance to pause, give thanks for the gift of creation, and consider how faith calls us to care for the world around us. While this theme appears throughout the church year, setting aside a dedicated day helps bring fresh focus and deeper appreciation for God’s creative work.
Through the button below, you will find more information about this new observance and worship resources from Augsburg Fortress.
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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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