September Benefits Newsletter

Last spring and summer, GSI was present at all five synodical assembly/conventions. Staff and a Board Director gave a presentation with slideshow, and we had HeartMath practitioners available at the display.

We would be very grateful if you could take two minutes and fill out our short survey about our presence at the gatherings.

The ELCIC Advanced Study Grant has made it possible for me to enroll in the MA Leadership (Executive Leadership) at Royal Roads University. Without it, it would not have been possible for me to build my skill and understanding of leadership for my role within the ELCIC.

This program has had a significant impact on me personally. It has taught me more about myself, my personal motivations, my values, and my vision for the future of the church. I can honestly say that is has impact how I approach many situations. It has helped me in my parenting and my personal relationships. I never thought that this program would be so formative, and the learning I have gained will continue to shape my approaches well beyond my work role.

How this Training Has Helped My Vocation

When it comes to my role as a bishop in the church, the program has and will continue to pay huge dividends. Over the last 18 months I have been incorporating different approaches to conflict, and helping to ask better questions of our congregations and leadership. If you have been reading the Canada Lutheran, then you have likely read my deliberate focus on purpose and values in my articles.

A Helpful Shift in Focus

It is this focus and mindset that have been the most valuable in my learning. Without it, I think that I would still be focusing on managerial skills, rather than organizational leadership. Through a focus on values and purpose, I feel that my staff are more aware of my motivations and big picture goals. They have more freedom to make decisions because they know in broader terms what synod leadership wants to accomplish through their ministry. It also allows for conversation around the bigger picture hopes and dreams of our synod, rather than only focusing on tasks or performance goals.

Finally, this learning has confirmed for me the ways in which my current role matches my own sense of purpose and meaning. I hope that as I continue to grow in my leadership, I will be able to work with congregations in our synod to discover their own purpose, values, and passions so that they can engage more fully in the ministry that matters to them.

Final Project

The final stages of my schooling involves a project that has two simultaneous parts. The first part will help me continue to develop one particular “essential executive leadership practice.” The other will be to hold large group consultations with congregational members to talk about values and purpose. The hope is that the raw data collected through those workshops will directly feed into the work of MNO Synod Council in developing new Mission, Vision, and Values that will guide our ministry and the work of synod office staff for the coming years. This promises to have a significant and lasting effect on the ministry of our synod and the wider church.

I do want to thank again the ELCIC’s Program Committee for Leadership for Ministry for approving me for the ELCIC Advanced Study Grant, and to GSI for administering the grant through my CEP fund. I strongly encourage all plan members to use your Continuing Education Plan to build your skills and grow in your role in the church. We all have things to learn, and our growth will have a positive impact on the church and the people we serve in Christ’s name.

Kii is excited to share that starting August 15th, a self-guided option of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) became available for plan members, in addition to the therapist-assisted option. 

Here are the core differences between the two options available: 

Self-guided CBT is a great starting point for those looking to explore that type of therapy for certain chronic conditions. Users can choose a module to work on. (Current self-guided modules are “anxiety” and “depression“). They are not guided, and modules are not customized to the user, so they are more “high level” — but they can still help. 

Users can reach out to a Kii nurse for assistance should they require additional support or wish to explore other available options.

The therapist assisted (TAiCBT) version of CBT goes more in depth and provides members with a custom-built program that goes for 6 to 12 weeks with a licensed therapist who has adapted to meet the user’s needs. There are many chronic conditions that can be covered with a therapist. This benefit become available on July 1 2024. 

Current programs offered through MindBeacon, the TAiCBT program that is available through your Benefits plan, include:

Life throws a lot at you and many times juggling work and everything else can be overwhelming. Kii, a health & wellness program included in the ELCIC Group Benefits Plan, is there to provide you and your dependents with the support you need, when you need it. Kii offers a wide variety of services to help you tackle more of your to-do list than ever before, including:

Kii Health and Wellness is completely confidential. No one will know if you have joined or if you have accessed help.

Description: Many of us are or may one day find ourselves in the position of needing to care for a family member or friend living with a physical or psychological condition. Caregiving is an essential role in society, but one that often comes with significant physical, practical, and emotional challenges. Join CloudMD this month to learn how to navigate these challenges, prevent caregiver fatigue and burnout, and build sustainable, fulfilling caregiving relationships.  

Ask an Expert Question:

“I’ve been caring for my mother for the past year, and lately, it’s just been so hard. Between her, my kids, and my work, I feel like I’m running on empty. I find myself getting irritated with her and feeling so resentful and guilty. Why is this happening? What can I do?” 

Date: September 11, but you can access it by registering at the link below.