Staff
The synod is organized with the bishop and three pastoral assistants and deans providing support and resources for our rostered and lay leaders and 172 congregations and worshipping communities.
Conference contacts
| Philadelphia conferences (Central, Northeast, Northwest/Olney) | Pastor Patricia Davenport | Deans |
| Lower and Upper Bucks, Delaware | Pastor Serena Sellers | Deans |
| Chester, Lower and Upper Montgomery | Pastor Larry Hand | Deans |
Office Of The Bishop
The Rev. Claire Schenot Burkat was elected the fourth bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on May 6, 2006. She serves as spiritual leader of the 95,000 members and 174 congregations of the synod. The bishop oversees and administers the work of our Synod, provides pastoral care and leadership to the Synod, our congregations, and professional leaders: pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers. Learn more about the bishop.
| The Rev. Claire Schenot Burkat Bishop |
Contact: |
| Janine Niwinski Director of Operations |
Contact: (Phone) 610.278.7343 () |
Business Office
The Business Office oversees the fiscal operations of the synod and provides programs to assist congregation treasurers and pastors manage congreation finances.
| Peggy Cameron Business Manager |
Contact: (Phone) 610.278.9400, x113 () |
| Judy Koenig Bookkeeper |
Contact: (Phone) 610.278.9400, x114 () |
Connections and Resources
Connections and Resources includes Stewardship, Development (fundraising), and developing connections within and among the synod, social ministry organizations, seminary and other partner agencies.
Evangelical Outreach
Evangelical Outreach includes developing and supporting new mission congregations, redevelopment and transformational leadership programs, and evangelism.
Global Vision and Synod Events
Global Vision and Synod Events oversees relationships with our companion synods -- the North-East Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and the Silesian Church of the Augsburg Confession -- as well as major synod events, including Assembly, Bishop's Convocation, Mission Fair and others.
| Joanne Carlson Assistant to the Bishop for Global Vision and Events |
Contact: (Phone) 610.278.9400, x119 or 610.278.7332 () |
| Ginny Bailey Administrative Assistant |
Contact: (Phone) 610.278.9400, x109 ( |
Mission Interpretation & Communications
Mission Interpretation tells the story of the work we are doing together in congregations, as a synod, and through the ELCA and global Lutheran agencies, and equips congregations and leaders to make that story relevant in their context. This department also manages the synod database of rostered and lay leaders.
| Robert Fisher Assistant to the Bishop for Mission Interpretation and Communications |
Contact: (Phone) 610.278.9400, x103 (Skype) adia4a () |
| Cynta Outterbridge Database Manager/Communications Assistant |
Contact: (Phone) 610.278.9400, x102 () |
Vocations and Leadership
Vocations and Leadership works to identify, raise up, and support leaders for the Church through the candidacy and mobility functions and interim ministry.
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry responsibilities include youth events, including the FLY, JYG and SMYLE gatherings, and encouarging, supporting and resourcing congregational youth workers and committees.
| Molly Beck Dean Assistant to the Bishop -- Youth Ministry Specialist |
Contact: (Phone) 610.278.9400, x122 () |
| Jessica McAlister Youth Ministry Assistant and Receptionist |
Contact: (Phone) 610.278.9400, x117 ( |
Structured for mission
In 2006 the Synod restructured its staffing to align with our key mission priorities.
Bishop Claire S. Burkat shepherds the Synod, its congregations and leaders, serving as "pastor to the pastors" and our chief ecumenical and interfaith officer.
Pastoral ministries
The staff includes three full-time pastoral assistants whose ministries encompass our key mission priorities:
Connections and Resources – Pr. Serena Sellers networks with our many Lutheran partners, including social ministry organizations, the seminary, advocacy and disaster ministries, as well as works to identify and release the resources – people, gifts and funds – within our synod. She also relates to Delaware, Lower Bucks and Upper Bucks conferences.
Evangelical Outreach – Pr. Patricia Davenport serves as our synod's mission director, overseeing the work of planting the church, and with transformational ministry. An experience church planter, she brings great passion to the renewal of the church. She also relates to the three Philadelphia conferences – Central, Northeast, and Northwest/Olney.
Vocations and Leadership – Pr. Larry Hand ties together the many strands of leadership development, working with the candidacy, mobility and interim ministry processes. These functions are integrated to help ensure that congregations have access to enough faithful, missional and professional leaders. He also relates to the Chester, Lower Montgomery and Upper Montgomery conferences.
In this structure, each conference's deans work closely with the bishop and pastoral staff to care for the leaders and congregations in their charge.
Program ministries
Global Vision and Events – Ms. Joanne Carlson serves to coordinate and support ministries with our two global companion synods – the North Eastern Diocese in Tanzania and the Silesian Church of the Augsburg Confession in Czech Republic. She also handles logistics for major synod events such as the Assembly, the Mission Fair, and the Convocation.
Mission Interpretation – Mr. Bob Fisher directs our synods internal and external communications, and is responsible for internet, print and video communications and relationships with public media. He consults with congregations in the areas of communications, technology, media-driven worship and crisis management.
Youth and Young Adult Ministry – Ms. Molly Beck Dean leads a ministry team that engages and empowers youth on the synodical and local levels and coordinates the FLY and JYG gatherings, MATRIX for empowering youth workers, and advises the Lutheran Youth Organization and campus ministries.
