Staff and Task Force

 

Staff for ELCA Studies on Sexuality    
The Rev. Roger Willer
Director for Studies
ELCA Church in Society
773/380-2823 | roger.willer@elca.org		   The Rev. Kaari Reierson
Associate Director for Studies
ELCA Church in Society
773/380-2894 | kaari.reierson@elca.org


The Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality
The task force will work with the director in setting directions for the studies and in the preparation of reports and documents responsive to the mandates of the 2001 Churchwide Assembly regarding studies on sexuality.

A task force selection committee, which included representatives from both the Division for Church in Society and the Division for Ministry (now the Vocation and Education unit) boards, engaged in extensive deliberation and consultation with persons throughout the church before selecting a slate of nominees from more than 200 nominations received from church members all over the country.

Although it is not possible for a workable-sized task force to be a microcosm of the church in all its various viewpoints and constituencies, the selection committee took care to see that it included persons who represent a variety of important voices in the church and who have the necessary blend of maturity and competence to listen, study, and prayerfully and intelligently process the myriad of concerns, convictions, and theological, ethical, and scientific opinions that come before it.

It is important to underscore the fact that the task force will be supplemented by consultations with people of various viewpoints and with particular expertise and experience. Most important of all will be the feedback from dialogues carried on in congregations, synods, and schools throughout the church.

Meet the Task Force
  • Bishop Peter Strommen (chair)
    Northeastern Minnesota Synod
    Member of First Lutheran Church, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Ms. Erin Clark
    Social Worker
    Member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oregon, Illinois

  • Dr. Julio A. Fonseca
    Psychologist
    Member of Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Bethel, Dorado, Puerto Rico

  • The Rev. Carol S. Hendrix
    Retired Bishop, Lower Susquehanna Synod
    Member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

  • The Rev. Corinne Johnson
    Pastor, Concordia Lutheran Church, Palmer, Michigan
    Pastor, Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Negaunee, Michigan

  • The Rev. Gary J. Liedtke
    Pastor, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Waukesha, Wisconsin

  • Mr. Peter O’Malia
    Youth Worker, Hill Avenue Grace Lutheran Church, Pasadena, California

  • The Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Maly
    Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Denver, Colorado

  • Ms. Susan Salomone
    Homemaker
    Member of First English Lutheran Church, Syracuse, New York

  • The Rev. Dr. Scott Suskovic
    Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Ms. Connie D. Thomas
    School Principal, retired
    Member of Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Chicago, Illinois

  • The Rev. Dr. David Tiede
    Professor, Augsburg College
    Member of Incarnation Lutheran Church, Shoreview, Minnesota

  • Dr. Marit Trelstad
    Professor, Pacific Lutheran University
    Member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Tacoma, Washington

  • The Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Wengert
    Professor, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
    Member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Moorestown, New Jersey

  • Dr. Diane Yeager
    Professor, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
    Member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Arlington, Virginia