Announcements

Check out this week’s blog post from Dean of the Chapel Steve Thomason—Equity and Justice.

In this devotion, Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett ’15 M.Div., reminds us that we do not receive what we deserve but rather God is merciful to us in spite of what we do. Read today’s God Pause.

F. Willis Johnson introduced his new webinar—The Alchemy of Faith-Informed Entrepreneurism: From Imagination to Innovation—last month during fall RFS. Join us on Zoom (link in email) on October 28, 6-7:30 p.m. CT for the next installment of this multi-episode guide for spiritual entrepreneurs that walks us through the core creative energies that fuel our work: imagination, ideation, ignition, and innovation.

Join Dwight Zscheile, professor of congregational mission and leadership, and co-editor Edward Olsworth-Peter on Friday, October 24, 1-4 p.m. in Olson Campus Center for a symposium to discuss their new book, “The Starter’s Way: Leading New Contextual Christian Communities.” Learn more about approaches to church planting and how starting new contextual communities is a holistic way of life as practitioners, regional church leaders, and scholars from around the world—including J. R. Woodward, Stephanie Williams O’Brien, and Michael Binder—reflect on the book and offer insights from their own hard-won wisdom.

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
📧 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.

Help others discern where God is calling them . . . Ever find yourself surrounded by faithful people with so much potential—but unsure how to help them step into their callings? Maybe you’re constantly problem-solving, making decisions, and putting out fires while deep down, you’re craving a more collaborative way of leading. What if you could shift from being the answer-giver to being a Spirit-led guide? Coaching for Spirit-Led Leadership is a Faith+Lead live learning course that equips you with the foundational skills of faith-rooted coaching. Sessions start on January 26, 2026. Learn more and enroll.