Synodical Relations
Welcome to the Synodical Relations team in the Office of the Presiding Bishop. We support the work of the Conference of Bishops. Our vision for the work we do is to provide support and resources to leaders serving healthy, mission-driven synods. We are here to serve you by providing information that addresses your specific questions, or sharing stories about the interconnectedness we share as we carry out the mission to which God calls the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
We look forward to hearing your stories, and to learning from you how we can better achieve the service we are called to provide.
What we do:
- Provide staff services for the Conference of Bishops and all its communitees
- Support synodical staff and officers
- Coordinate the relationships between the churchwide organization and synods
- Support the ministry of ELCA federal and military chaplains
Chicago-based Churchwide Synodical Relations Staff
|
See also deployed staff at the Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries
|
The Rev. Walter May, walter.may@elca.org, 800-638-3522 ext. 2551
Assistant to the Presiding Bishop; Executive for Synodical Relations
The executive provides overall coordination of the team's work and serves as chief staff person for the Conference of Bishops. Together with the Directors, the executive represents the team in consultations with synods and represents the team and the 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 Chaplaincy Ministries. Responsibilities also include the personnel administration of central staff and deployed staff, management of the team’s budget, coordination of team and inter-unit projects and resources to assist synods and their leaders, and oversight of team communications.
Marcia Johnson, marcia.johnson@elca.org, 800-638-3522 ext. 2890
Program Services Director
As director, responsibilities include working with the executive to provide support for the Conference of Bishops, synod staff, and synod officers. The director also represents the team in consultations with synods and on regional steering committees. The director is available to consult on matters of staffing, transition, and strategic planning. Responsibilities also include the annual assignment of churchwide representation to synod assemblies.
Gail Liggett-Watson, gail.liggett-watson@elca.org, 800-638-3522 ext. 2550
Administrative Services Coordinator
Works with the executive and director in providing support for the team's programmatic and administrative responsibilities as well as support and organization for the Conference of Bishops meetings. The administrative services coordinator works with the Office of the Presiding Bishop in assisting the executive staff’s response to all written correspondence directed to the Bishop.
Tchad Harris, tchad.harris@elca.org, 800-638-3522 ext. 2726
Administrative Services Coordinator
Provides support to the Assistant to the Presiding Bishop and Executive for Synodical Relations in the area of financial management and administration of the team's budget, including proofing of expense reports, check requests and journal ledgers, for consistency and accuracy. Works with the Program Director/Synodical Services and the synod assembly planners on coordinating Synod Assemblies. Organizes and facilitates the bi-annual Bishop's Administrative Assistants Gathering. Ensures that the Conference of Bishop's web page content and structure is consistent and current.
|
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.
The Rev. Eric Wester
Assistant to the Bishop for Federal Chaplaincies
1025 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 904
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 202-822-6414
Fax: 202-822-1902
Terry Fulton
Administrative Assistant
|
|
For more information, visit the Federal Chaplaincy page |