In This Issue

Assembly Recordings

Army Reserve Chaplain

Interfaith Summit for Immigrant and Worker Justice

Portico Updates

Upcoming Events

Reminders

Interfaith Summit for Immigrant and Worker Justice

Workers Defense Project invites you to the Better Builder Interfaith Summit for Immigrant and Worker Justice Come together with community & faith leaders and learn about tangible steps to protect our immigrant & worker sisters and brothers. When: July 19 | 7pm-9pm Where: Midway Hills Christian Church 11001 Midway Rd, Dallas, TX 75229 RSVP Here!

Here are flyers to help advertise the event in English and Spanish.

Here is the Facebook event page.

Please contact Rev. Marvin Wiser with any questions at marvin@workersdefense.org.

Portico Updates

Your Partner in Ministry

Greetings from Portico! Following a week of uncertainty related to the Senate health care bill, one thing’s for certain: health care is complex. The good news is your organization doesn’t have to navigate this complex landscape alone. Portico continues to monitor the legislative process closely. You can count on us to share updates and provide leadership through potential changes just as we did when the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. We’re working to cut through complexity for members with ELCA-Primary health benefits, too. That means taking a more personalized, proactive approach. New in 2017: We’re helping members get the best possible care at the right price. Portico Care Coordinators by Quantum Health help members find in-network providers, resolve claims issues, reduce hospital readmissions, and take steps to improve their health. More than 50% of members have already used this highly-rated service since Jan. 1. We’ve added support for members with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Launched June 1, the Livongo for Diabetes Program combines the latest technology with one-on-one support to help minimize complications and extra prescriptions, and help members live healthier, happier lives. About 17% of diabetic members invited to participate have already enrolled. Personalized support doesn’t only improve members’ lives. It also helps us control costs. As a ministry of the ELCA, we’re deeply committed to good health and good stewardship. I look forward to sharing more with you about what this commitment means for the future as we announce 2018 health contribution rates in August. Peace, Stacy A. Kruse Chief Operating and Financial Officer Portico Benefit Services Have any questions? Contact the Portico Customer Care Center 800.352.2876 mail@PorticoBenefits.org 3 Summer Tips for Benefit Administrators Take a few moments to pave the way for smoother decisions this fall, when every organization and plan member must complete Portico’s Annual Enrollment. Put 2018 Annual Enrollment on the calendar — Forward this email to the folks who make benefit decisions for your organization so they know what to expect and when. • Aug: Portico announces 2018 contribution rates following board of trustee approval • Sept: Portico provides online budgeting tools • Oct: Organizations select one ELCA-Primary health benefit option for 2018 • Nov: Plan members make their 2018 benefit elections Confirm compensation is up-to-date — This helps your employees receive the correct benefits and improves the accuracy of your organization’s 2018 cost estimates. > Review employee compensation on EmployerLink Know who has access to EmployerLink — Make sure the right people can see your organization’s confidential benefit information, especially if staff or volunteers have changed recently. > Review authorized EmployerLink users

Upcoming Events

Here are leadership highlights:

• Jul. 8: Public Witness Team monthly meeting
• Jul. 13-16: “all anew” Women of the ELCA Tenth Triennial Gathering
• Jul. 21-23: The Bold Gathering (Lutheran Men in Mission)
• Aug. 7-10: ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering
• Aug. 12: Public Witness Team monthly meeting
• Aug. 12: NT-NL SWO Retreat
• Aug. 19: MEF Board meeting
• Aug. 26: NT-NL SWO Board Meeting
• Sep. 9: Public Witness Team monthly meeting
• Sep. 10: “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday (ELCA Day of Service)
• Sep. 16: PLMA, Fall 2017, Course 1
• Sep. 21-23: Synod Council meeting
• Sep. 25: “Revisiting the 95 Thesis” (Luther Center of North Texas)

For a complete list of upcoming events in, and important to, our Synod, you can access our Calendar of Events online.

Reminders

• The 2017 Prayer Partners list can be found at ntnl.org/2017prayerpartners.
• Please update the contact info for the person (or people) who manage your congregation’s communications!

Looking for information in past Leader News emails? Find our Leader News archives here!