Staff Directory
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
– 1 Corinthians 12:12
Meet Our Staff
Our Bishop
THE REV. YEHIEL CURRY
(HE/HIM/HIS)
Bishop Curry’s Portfolio
In accordance with duties and responsibilities enumerated in the synod constitution, the Bishop:
- Preaches, teaches, and administers the sacraments, as well as oversees the preaching, teaching, and administration of the sacraments within this synod;
- Interprets and advocates the mission and theology of this church;
- Ordains, installs, and provides pastoral care and leadership for this synod’s ministers of Word and Sacrament and Word and Service, and for its congregations;
- Administers processes for the resolution of controversies and the discipline of rostered ministers and congregations of this synod;
- Serves on the Conference of Bishops, consulting regularly with other synod bishops;
- Fosters awareness of and engagement with churches throughout the Lutheran world communion and with Christian judicatory leaders functioning in the synod’s territory;
- Presides at all meetings of the Synod Assembly, Synod Council, and the Council’s Executive Committee;
- Supervises the work of the other synod officers and coordinates the work of all synod staff members;
- Provides for the maintenance of ministry and congregational rosters of this synod.
In addition, the Bishop:
- Relates to and serves on the governance boards of social ministry organizations and mission partners affiliated with this synod;
- Oversees the Turnaround Synod Initiative;
- Relates to the synod’s Conference of Deans table;
- Staffs the Deans/Conferences Working Group.
Pastoral Staff
ASSOCIATE TO THE BISHOP AND DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
THE REV. CARLA THOMPSON POWELL
ASSOCIATE TO THE BISHOP AND DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING (DIB)
THE REV. SUNITHA MORTHA
(SHE/HER/HERS)
Pastor Mortha’s Portfolio
- Responsible for equipping and resourcing congregations and leaders around DIB;
- Coordinates Synod Assembly and Synod boundaries training;
- Relates to Companion Synod, Diakonia, and Middle East Working Group;
- Chairs the Asian and Middle Eastern Strategy Team;
- Responsible for pastoral care and mobility for Central and West Conferences;
- Staffs the Synod Assembly and Chicago Youth Gathering Working Groups.
ASSOCIATE TO THE BISHOP AND DIRECTOR OF CANDIDACY AND MOBILITY
THE REV. KYLE SEVERSON
(HE/HIM/HIS)
Pastor Severson’s Portfolio
- Oversees the Candidacy and Mobility processes for the Synod;
- Oversees worship processes, including pulpit supply, ordinations, synod gatherings
- Coordinates First Call Theological Education;
- Responsible for pastoral care and mobility for North and Near West Conferences;
- Staffs the Constitution Review Committee
ASSOCIATE TO THE BISHOP
THE REV. DR. WYVETTA BULLOCK
(SHE/HER/HERS)
Pastor Bullock’s Portfolio
- Coordinates and oversees the Interim Strategy for the Synod;
- Relates to the Retirement Roster;
- Co-leads the Professional Leaders Conference;
- Responsible for pastoral care and mobility for South West Conference;
- Staffs the Rostered Leaders Working Group.
ASSOCIATE TO THE BISHOP
THE REV. KATHY NOLTE
(SHE/HER/HERS)
Pastor Nolte’s Portfolio
- Provides accompaniment to transitioning (closing) congregations;
- Relates to and oversees Reconciling in Christ and LGBTQIA+ communities;
- Oversees the Environmental Energy Loan program;
- Responsible for pastoral care and mobility for North West and North East Conferences;
- Staffs the Synod Office Location Working Group.
LATINX STRATEGY COORDINATOR
THE REV. MARÍA ROJAS-BANDA
(SHE/HER/HERS)
YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERS NETWORK COORDINATOR
THE REV. ANNA E. ROPER
(SHE/HER/HERS)
Professional Staff
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP
HEATHER HAYNES
(SHE/HER/HERS)
Heather Haynes’ Portfolio
- Maintains the calendar and responds to official correspondence to the Bishop’s office;
- Serves as auxiliary recording secretary for the Synod Council and Executive Committee;
- Coordinates transfers, change of calls, change of roster, retirement of rostered leaders;
- Coordinates Stewardship efforts of the MCS;
- Monitors, maintains, and manages all files and records.
GENERAL MANAGER / HR
TOM ANDERSON
Tom Anderson’s Portfolio
- Works with the MCS council finance committee to create annual budget and oversee annual audit;
- Oversees payroll, insurance, purchasing, investment strategies, grant funding, accounts receivable, and payable, utilizing GAAP standards;
- Provides financial resources, consultations, and salary guidelines to congregations;
- Oversees MCS property and software;
- Relates to Campus Ministry;
- Staffs Investment Vehicles Working Group.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEACON JULIE SEVIG
Deacon Sevig’s Portfolio
- E-Word and MetroWord, as well as other regular and official announcements from the synod (job opportunities, position vacancies, and announcements of deaths, ordinations, retirements, and transitions).
- Produces content and monitors the synod’s website and social media platforms.
- Tells stories of the synod and uses all platforms for distribution.
- Relates to working groups: Synod Assembly (all necessary communications), Latinx Strategy to ensure Spanish translations, ministry partners and ELCA communications.
Email Deacon Sevig
Office: 773.248.0021 | Mobile: 773.294.5840
OFFICE MANAGER / PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER
GABY VALLADOLID
Gaby Valladolid’s Portfolio
- Serves as the primary receptionist;
- Serves as MCS photographer/videographer;
- Monitors and maintains office supplies and office space usage;
- Organizes documents heading to Region 5 archives;
- Relates to Deaf Ministry and Communications;
- Staffs Synod Assembly Working Group.
Email Gaby Valladolid
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
PAUL WILLEY
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.
