Southeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA

Southeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA With eyes fixed on Jesus, we are the Southeastern Iowa Synod, one of the 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The Southeastern Iowa Synod is one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States. A network of 133 congregations, campus ministries and other worshiping communities, the synod comprises 38 counties throughout central and southeastern Iowa. Its purpose is to unite the work of congregations, provide regional support and strengthen ongoing local ministries.

Dear friends,I plan to attend a Faith in Us National Clergy Call on Tuesday this next week. Despite its name, lay leader...
06/06/2026

Dear friends,

I plan to attend a Faith in Us National Clergy Call on Tuesday this next week. Despite its name, lay leaders are also welcome. Links to register are included at the end of this post.

The main purpose of these calls as I understand is to talk about how we, as church leaders, might advocate for voting in order to support free, fair, and trusted elections in our country.

I expect there will be portions of the meeting where I agree, there may be things in which I disagree, and I know that I will learn and gain insight. Will you join one of these calls too?

As Bishop Bill Tesch of the NW Minnesota Synod writes, "As Lutheran Christians. we engage civic life as part of our baptismal vocation to follow Jesus Christ in our daily lives. Our participation in initiatives such as Faith in Us is informed by the scripturally grounded moral discernment reflected in the ELCA social statement, Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All. Supporting free, fair, and trusted elections is not partisan alignment or an endorsement of political parties or candidates. It is one expression of our calling to follow Jesus by seeking truth, loving our neighbors, practicing responsible citizenship, and working for the common good.”

At these calls next week, organizational leaders at the center of democracy protection work nationwide will give you a clear-eyed political analysis of what we need to do to defend our elections. The architects of Minnesota’s Faith Leader Resistance to Operation Metro Surge will also invite you into a shared path of clergy action based on what worked in Minnesota and what can work across the country to protect our elections and our election results.

For more information on the Faith in Us initiative: https://faithinusleading.org/...
Register at one of the links below and share this with your clergy and lay leader colleagues!
Tuesday June 9th, 2:00 - 4:00pm CT - https://secure.ngpvan.com/VJ54fmSLXUyR88ZnSkdfnA2
Thursday June 11th, 10:30am - 12:30pm CT
https://secure.ngpvan.com/UjGjazpDsUmh0WvtFdtaCg2

Bishop Current

On this day, June 6, we celebrate with Pastor David Aanonson the 50th anniversary of his ordination into ministry. Since...
06/06/2026

On this day, June 6, we celebrate with Pastor David Aanonson the 50th anniversary of his ordination into ministry. Since his ordination in 1976, Pastor David has faithfully served congregations across Iowa and briefly in Kansas, including First Lutheran Church in Chariton, All Saints Lutheran Church in Davenport, Mamrelund Lutheran Church in Stanton, Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrenzo, KS, and Christ the King Lutheran Church in Iowa City. Since his retirement in 2011, Pastor David has served as interim at twelve different congregations throughout the Southeastern Iowa Synod. Prior to attending seminary, Pastor David served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968–1972, and during his time in ministry, he completed his MBA from the University of Kansas. Pastor David's favorite part of ministry has been “working with the people and seeing the changes that the Gospel brings to lives.” In his retirement, he enjoys spending time with his family. We give thanks for the ways God has used Pastor David as a faithful servant and leader throughout his years of ministry.

Congratulations to Pastor Sarah Goettsch on celebrating the 25th anniversary of her ordination today, June 3! Pastor Sar...
06/03/2026

Congratulations to Pastor Sarah Goettsch on celebrating the 25th anniversary of her ordination today, June 3! Pastor Sarah served the Calamus Lutheran Parish from 2001–2014, Gloria Dei Lutheran and the Lutheran Campus Ministry in Iowa City from 2014–2026, and is currently serving at Holy Trinity Lutheran in North Liberty. Pastor Sarah shares that her favorite part of ministry is working with youth and preaching. We give thanks for Pastor Sarah's years of faithful service and leadership and pray for God's continued blessings on her ministry.

Today, June 2, we celebrate with Pastor Phil Jorgensen the 35th anniversary of his ordination. Since 1991, Pastor Phil h...
06/02/2026

Today, June 2, we celebrate with Pastor Phil Jorgensen the 35th anniversary of his ordination. Since 1991, Pastor Phil has faithfully served congregations across Iowa, including St. John's Lutheran Church in Cylinder, American Lutheran Church in Melvin, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Slater, and Our Savior Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Since 2022, Pastor Phil has served as a chaplain at UnityPoint Health—St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, where he is a board-certified chaplain and utilizes his certificate in pastoral care. Pastor Phil shares that his favorite part of ministry has been “preaching and reaching.” We give thanks for Pastor Phil’s years of faithful service and care for God's people, and pray God’s continued blessings upon his ministry.

Congratulations to Pastor Bill Bernau on celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination today, May 27! Since 2001, P...
05/27/2026

Congratulations to Pastor Bill Bernau on celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination today, May 27! Since 2001, Pastor Bill has faithfully served Grace Lutheran Church in Adel, Christ Lutheran Church in Jefferson, and St. James Lutheran Church in Johnston, where he continues to serve today. Pastor Bill shares that his favorite part of ministry has been “living in community with God’s people.” We give thanks for his years of faithful ministry and pray for God’s continued blessings in the years ahead!

The synod office is closed today, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.
05/25/2026

The synod office is closed today, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

Deacon Jodi Schuman Announces Her RetirementAfter five years as a member of the staff of the Office of the Bishop and te...
05/18/2026

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. Her last day in the office will be 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."

If you would like to send Deacon Jodi your well wishes, you may do so by emailing her at her office email address or by mailing a card to our Synod Office in Iowa City.

05/17/2026

Such a wonderful weekend!

Bishop Amy Current has been re-elected to serve a second six-year term as Bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod. Congrat...
05/15/2026

Bishop Amy Current has been re-elected to serve a second six-year term as Bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod.

Congratulations to Bishop Amy Current. We give thanks for all those who were willing to discern a call to bishop.

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52245

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