Synodical Relations Staff
Chicago-based Staff
The Rev. Kathie Bender Schwich [ email ]
Executive for Synodical and Constituent Relations
The executive provides overall coordination of the unit's work and serves as chief staff person for the Conference of Bishops. Together with the associate directors, the executive represents the unit in consultations with synods, serves on regional steering committees, coordinates churchwide representation at synod assemblies and represents the unit and Office of the Presiding Bishop within the churchwide organization and ecumenically. The executive also serves as chief liaison to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and relates to the Bureau of Federal Chaplain Ministries.
Tammy Jackson [email]
Director for Administration and Synodical Support
The director coordinates the annual synodical-churchwide consultations as well as the annual assignment of churchwide representation to synod assemblies. Responsibilities also include the personnel administration of central staff and deployed staff, management of the unit’s budget, coordination of unit and inter-unit projects and resources to assist synods and their leaders, and oversight of unit communications. The associate director also is the churchwide liaison to regions 1, 6, and 9.
Marcia Johnson [email]
Director for Synodical Support and Deployment
As a director, responsibilities include working with the director to provide support for the Conference of Bishops, provides support for persons serving on synod staffs, works with deployed staff to manage the assignment of candidates to regions and synods for first call, and represents the unit in consultations with synods and on regional steering committees.
The Rev. Craig Settlage [email]
Director for Mission Support
The director for mission support has primary responsibility for developing, implementing and maintaining strategies and programs designed to promote and expand mission support throughout the ELCA. The director develops and sustains strong relationships with synodical bishops and synod leadership. The director works closely with the Conference of Bishops in their responsibilities related to mission support, and reports regularly to the Conference of Bishops and ELCA Church Council. The director works in collaboration with Communication Services to interpret and communicate the mission and ministries of the churchwide expression of the ELCA.
Sureya DelReal [email]
Coordinator for Synodical Services
As a coordinator, responsibilities include assisting the associate director in the administrative oversight of the assignment process for the Conference of Bishops. Also, provides assistance in planning and implementing the orientation process for new bishops and bishops' assistants/associates, the Bishops' Academy, and all churchwide assignment consultations.
Christian Eriksen [email]
Coordinator for Synodical Services
As a coordinator, responsibilities include assisting the associate director in relating to and communicating with synod staff and officers and planning gatherings and events for synodical leaders. Also, maintains content for the unit's website.
Gail Liggett-Watson [email]
Executive Administrative Assistant
The administrative assistant works with the director and associates in providing support for the unit's programmatic and administrative responsibilities as well as support and organization for the Conference of Bishops meetings. Also, this position is shared part-time with the Office of the Presiding Bishop in assisting the Executive Assistant to the Presiding Bishop’s response to all written correspondence directed to the Bishop.
Kathleen West [email]
Administrative and Research Assistant for Mission Support
The administrative assistant works with the director for mission support in the overall administration of the work, including providing timely information to synods regarding mission support. The assistant serves as the contact person for information and resources related to mission support in the ELCA.
Deployed Staff & Regional Coordinators
[Deployed staff are shared with the Vocation and Education Unit]
The unit's deployed staff assist bishops and synodical staff in identifying appropriate candidates for call, the assignment of candidates for first call, and help with rostered leaders who indicate openness to relocate to another synod or region. Regional coordinators carry out the churchwide work within the 9 regions of the ELCA. Most deployed staff members share both responsibilities, however, not all regions are staffed the same.
for more contact information: > go to the regional office page
REGION 1
The Rev. Shelley Wickstrom [Regional Coordinator]
REGION 2
Margaret Schmitt Ajer [Regional Coordinator]
REGION 3
The Rev. Craig Boehlke [Regional Coordinator]
REGION 4
The Rev. Donald R. Just [Regional Coordinator]
REGION 5
The Rev. Carl Evenson [Regional Coordinator]
REGION 6
Marilyn Ruth McCann Smith [Regional Coordinator]
REGION 7
The Rev. Peggy Wuertele [Regional Coordinator]
REGION 8
Ms. Nancy Gable [Regional Coordinator]
REGION 9The Rev. Harvey L. Huntley Jr. [Regional Coordinator]
ELCA Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries
The Rev. Darrell Morton
Assistant to the Bishop for Federal Chaplaincies
Terry Fulton
Administrative Assistant
This office provides support for the ELCA's 400 active duty and reserve military chaplains, as well as 130 clergypersons in other federal chaplaincies. Budget for the Washington D.C., office and oversight of this work is provided by the Synodical Relations unit.
1025 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 904
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: (202) 822-6414
Fax: (202) 822-1902
for more information: > go to the federal chaplain page