In this devotion, Marlene Elmstrom ’94 M.Div., prays that we, like Job, will dare to get up and face another day trusting that in Jesus we have what we need for life. Read today’s God Pause.
Archives for November 3, 2025
November 2025 Employee Anniversaries
Congratulations to our colleagues celebrating work anniversaries in November!
- Stanley Ayashim, 1 year – Student Affairs
- Joshua Messner, 2 years – Marketing and Communications
- Sitraka Rakotoarivelo, 4 years – Faith + Lead
Circle Practice: Engaging with Aging Parents – December 2 [In-Person]
It can be challenging to engage with aging parents. Join us on December 2 at 9:30 a.m. in the OCC Meditation Chapel for a circle discussion as we share with each other the gifts and challenges of doing so. Led by Mary Hess, this will be a time simply to listen to each other’s experiences. We will use a talking piece, and only one person will speak at a time.
New Course: Theological Writing
Students are invited to register for LG 1000 Theological Writing during Winter term, a new course open to all degree program and certificate students interested in developing a firmer foundation for academic writing in a seminary context. This course will be offered in fall and winter terms as an asynchronous, non-credit half course. If you have any questions or are interested in registering for this course for Winter 2026, reach out to the Registrar at registrar@luthersem.edu
Annual Enrollment Is Here!
It’s time to make your benefit elections for the coming year. This is your opportunity to make important decisions related to your health coverage, retirement contributions, tax-advantaged accounts, and life insurance and beneficiaries. The open enrollment period is now through Monday, November 3. Visit myPortico to: review your 2026 benefit options; make any benefit changes to meet your needs for the coming year; confirm your 2026 enrollment elections.
Tip. Explore detailed information about your health benefits on myPortico on the ELCA-Primary Health Benefits and ELCA Medicare-Primary Health Benefits page. If you have questions, Portico’s award-winning customer care center is available to help. Call 800-352-2876 or email mail@PorticoBenefits.org.
Extended hours are available: Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7:30 p.m. CT; Saturdays, October 25 and November 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT. If you have any questions specific to Luther Seminary, you may also contact Human Resources at hr@luthersem.edu.
Chapel Schedule for the Week: November 3–7
You are invited to join in community faith formation every weekday at 11:00 a.m. CT. We gather in a variety of ways and places. See the schedule below to see how you can join us in-person and online.
Monday, November 3, 11:00 a.m. CT
Text Study with the chapel staff on Zoom (link in email).
Tuesday, November 4, 11:00 a.m. CT
Contemplative Practice in the Meditation Chapel and on Zoom.
Wednesday, November 5, 11:00 a.m. CT
Service of Holy Communion — Chapel of the Incarnation and livestreamed.
Style: Contemplative
Leader: Steve Thomason, Dean of the Chapel
Thursday, November 6, 11:00 a.m. CT
Lunch Church in the OCC Dining Room
Topic: All Saints
Speaker: Ashley Wheeler, Associate Director of Candidacy and Vocational Formation