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 CO-DEANS
Pastor Meagan Sherman-Sporrong (6/20)
Acacia Park Lutheran Church
4307 N. Oriole Avenue
Norridge, IL 60706
708-453-3662 – congregation
Pastor Carla Thompson Powell (6/21)
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 CO-DEANS
Pastor Julie Boleyn (6/22)
Unity Lutheran Church
6720 31st Street
Berwyn, IL 60402
708-788-4132 – congregation
Pastor Zachary Wagner (6/21)
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
545 S. Ardmore Avenue
Villa Park, IL 60181
630-832-5580 – congregation
Relates to Pastor Kyle Severson
NORTH CONFERENCE DEAN
Pastor Matthew J. Smith-Laubenstein (6/21)
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 DEAN
Pastor Joel Lohafer (6/22)
Christ Lutheran Church
41 S. Rohlwing Rd
Palatine, IL 60067
847-358-4600 -congregation
Deacon Tracy Katschke (6/22)
Peace Lutheran Church
1050 Old Rand Road
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
847-438-4400 -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 Matthew Zemanick (6/21)
Lebanon Lutheran Church
13100 S. Manistee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60633
773-646-1747 – congregation
Relates to Pastor Robert E. Biekman
SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE CO-DEANS
Pastor Chris Wogaman (6/20)
Trinity Lutheran Church
2901 Western Avenue
Park Forest, IL 60466
708-747-8388 – congregation
Pastor Brittany Baurle Kooi (6/21)
First Lutheran Church
2519 Grove Street
Blue Island, IL 60406
708-385-4700 – congregation
Relates to Pastor Kathy Nolte
WEST CONFERENCE DEAN
Pastor PJ Malin (6/22)
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
1310 Shepherd Drive
Naperville, IL 60565
630-961-9200 – congregation
Pastor Tim Seitz (6/22)
Prince of Peace
2600 W. 75th Street
Woodridge, IL 60517
630-969-1268 – 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
In Jesus’ name: we proclaim the gospel, make disciples, do justice.
