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.

Email Bishop Curry
773.248.0021 ext. 211

ASSOCIATE TO THE BISHOP AND DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
THE REV. ROBERT BIEKMAN
(HE/HIM/HIS)

Pastor Biekman’s Portfolio

• Responsible for Synodically-Authorized Worshipping Communities, Exploratory Grants, New Starts, and Mission Developers;
• Chairs the synod DREAM Team and the African Descent Strategy Team;
• Responsible for pastoral care and mobility for South and Northeast Conferences;
• Relates to ELCA Christian Community and Leadership Unit;
• Staffs the Grant Qualifications Working Group.

Email Pastor Biekman
773.248.0021 ext. 212

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.

Email Pastor Mortha
773.248.0021 ext. 213

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 Synod Constitution Committee Working Group.

Email Pastor Severson
773.248.0021 ext. 216

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.

Email Pastor Bullock
773.248.0021 ext. 221

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 Conference;
• Staffs the Synod Office Location Working Group.

Email Pastor Nolte
773.248.0021 ext. 225

LATINX STRATEGY COORDINATOR
THE REV. JOSH EBENER
(HE/HIM/HIS)

Pastor Ebener’s Portfolio

• Chairs and coordinates Latinx Strategy;
• Relates to Churchwide Latinx table and organizations;
• Staffs the Synod Assembly Working Group.

Email Pastor Ebener
773.248.0021

YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERS NETWORK COORDINATOR
THE REV. ANNA ERNST
(SHE/HER/HERS)

Pastor Ernst’s Portfolio

• Chairs and coordinates youth ministry leaders in the Synod;
• Relates to ELCA Youth Ministry Network and Churchwide Youth office;
• Staffs the Chicago Youth Gathering Working Group.

Email Pastor Ernst
773.248.0021

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.

Email Heather Haynes
773.248.0021 ext. 215

BUSINESS 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.

Email Tom Anderson
773.248.0021 ext. 220

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
THE REV. JOSH EVANS
(HE/THEY)

Pastor Evans’ Portfolio

• Publishes official announcements and maintains the MailChimp database;
• Produces content and monitors website, Metro E-Word, Metro Word, MCS blog, and all social media handles;
• Relates to Mission Interpreters, Let’s Talk, ministry partners, and ELCA communications office;  
• Staffs Synod Assembly Working Group.

Email Pastor Evans
773.248.0021 ext. 222

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
773.248.0021 ext. 210