September 1, 2019 marked the beginning of Bishop Guy Erwin’s second six-year term—and though it was just another day in the office for him, it is a milestone and a transition point both for him and for the synod as a whole. Two weeks later, on September 14, the Synod Council met for the first time in that new term, welcomed its new members, and began—with the bishop—a discussion of synod strategies and goals for the years ahead. In his Bishop’s Fall Gatherings held in the synod’s nine conferences in September and October, Bishop Guy has been giving his assessment of where our church is today, how it got there, and what our future together may hold.
Within the synod’s administrative structure, the bishop acts as chief executive, and the synod staff work as his representatives and on his behalf. When he first came into office in 2013, Bishop Erwin was able to do a very extensive restructuring of his staff, who serve co-terminously with him. Six years later, a new term presents him with an opportunity to continue to develop a cohesive and effective team, and he will be adding new members to the staff this fall. More on that will be forthcoming; some changes will be described here.
Pastor Reg Schultz-Akerson Announces Retirement
Pastor Reg Schultz-Akerson, who has been with Bishop Erwin as Assistant for Rostered Ministry from the beginning of his term, has announced that he will retire at the end of November, 2019. Pastor Reg has served faithfully and well as the principal staffer for congregations in transition, pastors and deacons seeking calls, manager of the synod’s process for recruiting and training new candidates for ministry, and has managed situations of congregational conflict. According to Bp. Erwin, Pr. Reg has “an enormous job: holding the hand of the 20 to 30 congregations who at any one time are looking for a new pastor or deciding the future of their ministry is labor-intensive and emotionally taxing. Pr. Reg has been a faithful and compassionate partner for congregations and prospective pastors alike.” Bishop Erwin plans to conduct a national search for a successor to Pr. Reg this fall, and the job will be posted on both the synod and ELCA level. Bishop Erwin hopes to have a successor named soon, so that this important work will have no interruptions.
Pastor Matt Keadle Appointed as Synod Youth Director
Pastor Matt Keadle of St. Mark’s in Los Angeles has been appointed by Bishop Erwin as Synod Youth Director, and began that work as of September 15. This is a part-time appointment, appointed each year. The Synod Youth Director coordinates synod-wide networking among youth directors and others in congregations responsible for youth ministry, coordinates with Lutheran Retreats, Camps, & Conferences, connects to regional and national ELCA youth programs, and assists the bishop in lifting up youth leadership in the synod. This position was previously held by Janet Renick.
Lisa Higginbotham Joins Synod Staff
ELCA gift planner Lisa Higginbotham has joined the synod staff on a part-time basis as Gift Planner/Advancement Advisor as of September 15. She is well-known throughout the synod as a consultant to congregations. She will assist the synod, as well as its congregations, as we consider together the best way to use the resources available to the church to support our ministry.
Sheri Dillon Appointed Chief of Staff
Sherilyn Dillon, the bishop’s executive assistant and synod office manager, was promoted to Chief of Staff in the synod office beginning September 15. Sheri has worked for the bishop for the past two years, and has taken a leading role in many synod events and activities, particularly the annual Synod Assembly. She is the first line of contact between the office of the bishop and the rest of the synod, and stands ready to answer questions and refer inquiries to the right staffer or volunteer. She also oversees the bishop’s office support staff, and manages personnel matters.
Departures: Andreas Hirsch and Sherri Miller
Bishop Erwin also announces that Andreas Hirsch has left the office of the bishop as of September 16. After many years of service, Andreas is starting a new phase of his life and career. He rose from a back-office position to a place of leadership among the synod staff, having served two bishops, and was (with Maria Paiva) one of only two senior staff remaining from Bishop Dean Nelson’s time in office. “Andreas wore a great number of hats during his time with the synod,” says Bishop Erwin, “and has been a dedicated and loyal servant of the church. I thank him and wish him well.” A farewell reception for Andreas is planned for later in September and will be announced.
Departing at the same time was Sherri Miller, who has worked for several years as a synod bookkeeper. Both Andreas and Sherri have served some individual congregations as contracted bookkeepers, and those roles will continue as is agreeable both to them and the congregations for which they work. If you have questions about ongoing (or new)work with either Andreas or Sherri, you may ask them directly, or contact Sheri Dillon in our office for more information.
Bishop Erwin plans a re-organization of the financial structure of the office of the bishop, and under the supervision of Synod Treasurer Michael Metzger, temporary bookkeepers will keep the financial side of the synod’s work going until the restructuring is complete. As new positions are defined, job openings will be posted on the synod and ELCA levels.
Other Staff Continuing
Pastor Marj Funk-Pihl will remain in her position as Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Life and Director for Congregational Mission into the bishop’s second term, and Maria Paiva and Pr. James Phillips will continue to serve as Latino and African Descent ministries coordinators at least through the end of January 2020 on the year-to-year contracts they have always had. All three of these positions are paid for by the ELCA Churchwide organization as deployed staff. The remainder of the support staff (Samantha Henderson, Robin Lujan, Edward Duarte, Bill Nuzzo, and Thomas Yuschak) will also remain, and are happy to serve the church in any way they can.
New Conference Deans
Pr. Amy Beveridge of Bethel, Templeton, is taking the reins in the Central Coast Synod, succeeding Pr. Greg Kintzi of Gloria Dei, Santa Maria. Pr. Tracy Williams of Holy Redeemer, Bellflower, succeeds Pr. Nancy Hamm of Christ, Downey, as dean of the Greater Long Beach Conference. A successor to Pr. Keith Banwart of St. Matthew’s, Glendale, will be elected soon as dean of the Foothill Conference. Deans organize conference meetings, conference assemblies, and gatherings, and serve as representatives of the bishop in their respective territories.
