Conference Deans and Relaters
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
– Acts 20:35
Objectives
The Dean of Conference Shall:
- aid the Conference and its planning council in setting and achieving Conference objectives,
- arrange the monthly meetings of ordained ministers, and deacons,
- maintain personal contacts with the ordained ministers and deacons of the Conference,
- serve as a communications link between the synod office and the ordained ministers, and deacons of the Conference,
- make an annual written report to the bishop — including a summary of Conference activities and advising with respect to the conditions and needs of this church within the Conference — to be part of the reports to the Assembly, and
- perform such other duties as the bishop may from time to time assign.
The deans may attend meetings of the Council as spokespeople and observers for their Conferences, with voice but not vote at such meetings.
Contact Info, by Location
CENTRAL CONFERENCE DEAN
Pastor Carla Thompson Powell (6/23)
United in Faith Lutheran Church
6525 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 670634
773-283-2326 – congregation
Relates to Pastor Kathy Nolte
NEAR WEST CONFERENCE DEAN
Pastor Julie Boleyn (6/22)
Metropolitan Chicago Synod
1420 W. Dickens Road
Chicago, IL 60614
Relates to Pastor Kyle Severson
NORTH CONFERENCE CO-DEANs
Pastor Matthew J. Smith-Laubenstein (6/22)
Grace Lutheran Church
501 Valley Park Drive
Libertyville, IL 60048
847-367-7050 – congregation
Pastor Eric Schaefer (6/23)
Grace Lutheran Church
501 Valley Park Drive
Libertyville, IL 60048
847-367-7050 – congregation
Relates to Pastor Kyle Severson
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE CO-DEANS
Pastor Chris Neptun (6/22)
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
2328 Central Rd.
Glenview, IL 60025
847-724-6060 – congregation
Pastor Kelly Faulstich (6/22)
Resurrection Lutheran Church
3309 N Seminary Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
773-525-0605 – congregation
Relates to Pastor Robert E. Biekman
NORTHWEST CONFERENCE CO-DEANS
Pastor Joel Lohafer (6/22)
Christ Lutheran Church
41 S. Rohlwing Rd
Palatine, IL 60067
847-358-4600 -congregation
Deacon Tracy Katschke (6/22)
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
1234 N. Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
847-255-8700 ext. 240 – congregation
Relates to Pastor Sunitha Mortha
SOUTH CONFERENCE CO-DEANS
Pastor Lester White (6/21)
7352 S. Calumet Avenue
Chicago, IL 60619
773-782-7776 – congregation
Pastor Nancy Goede (6/21)
Augustana Lutheran Church
5500 S. Woodlawn Ave
Chicago, IL 60637
773-493-6451 – congregation
Relates to Pastor Robert E. Biekman
SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE CO-DEANS
Pastor Chris Wogaman (6/22)
Trinity Lutheran Church
2901 Western Avenue
Park Forest, IL 60466
708-747-8388 – congregation
Pastor Nathan Klein (6/23)
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
14700 Kildare Ave
Midlothian, IL 60445
708-388-4283– congregation
Relates to Pastor Kathy Nolte
WEST CONFERENCE CO-DEANS
Pastor Anders Nelson (6/23)
St. Paul Lutheran Church
515 S Wheaton Avenue
Wheaton, IL 6018
630-668-5953 – congregation
Pastor Charles Plummer (6/23)
St. Luke Lutheran Church
23W080 Butterfield Road
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630-469-5552 – congregation
Relates to Pastor Sunitha Mortha
SYNOD STAFF RELATERS
Pastor Robert Biekman () – South and Northeast
Pastor Sunitha Mortha () – Northwest and West
Pastor Kyle Severson () – North and Near West
Pastor Kathy Nolte () – Central and Southwest
Synod Resources
Congregation Map
Find our more about how our synod is divided and organized using our maps:
ELCA Synod Research and Evaluation
The Research and Evaluation unit of the ELCA collects research on each synod, including the Metropolitan Chicago Synod.
The Tree
The Tree is a powerful symbol for the work of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod.
Metropolitan Chicago Synod Office
Ph: 773-248-0021
Address: 1420 W. Dickens Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
In Jesus’ name: we proclaim the gospel, make disciples, do justice.
