This weekend (October 1-5) was to be our ELCA Fall Conference of Bishops meeting. Although we did not meet in person this year, we did have important meetings and receive many reports from our churchwide staff and associated ministries. This included a report from Rev. Jeff Thiemann, CEO of Portico Benefit Services, our ELCA Benefits provider. Rev. Theimann updated us on several things but in particular highlighted a concern about the emotional and mental health of our plan members and their families. He also reported a concern that those most in need of these services were not taking advantage of the new options provided for them in this plan. The mental and emotional health of our leaders and their families is critical to us as church fulfilling our mission. Leaders, lay and ordained, are under tremendous and new stresses and strains. Please watch this short video and visit porticobenefits.org to learn more. Our prayers are with all leaders across our church, and as bishop, those who I am called to shepherd. God bless you all this week.