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
Pastor Carla Thompson Powell
- Oversees Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWC’s), SAWC explorations (6 or 9 months), mission developers, and new mission congregations;
- Responsible for equipping and resourcing congregations and leaders around Evangelical Mission and Congregational Vitality;
- Responsible for pastoral care and mobility for South Conference
- Staffs the Synod Mission Table
Pastor Carla Thompson Powell
773.248.0021
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
PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER
GABY VALLADOLID
OFFICE MANAGER
THE REV. 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.
