The bishop has primary responsibility for the ministry of Word and Sacrament in this synod and its congregations; provides pastoral care and leadership for the synod, its congregations, and its rostered leaders (pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses); oversees and administers the work of the synod; serves as ecumenical officer for the synod.

Be sure to check Bishop Zeiser's page on this website. Click here for a biography of Bishop Zeiser.
 

Pr. Bennethum coordinates all mission and stewardship ministry on the synod territory. He is responsible for engaging synodical leaders and structures in the formation and development of evangelical congregations and pays particular attention to the implementation of ELCA commitments to be in ministry among ethnic, multicultural, and emergent communities. He works out of the Wescosville office under the supervision of Bishop Zeiser and Dr. Ed Kruse, director for stewardship with the ELCA Program Unit for Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission.

Pr. Gade works with congregations in the East Berks Mission District; she also relates to candidacy, misconduct prevention and intervention, campus ministry, and Synodically Authorized Lay Ministers (SALMs).

Hazleton office: PO Box 803, Conyngham PA 18219-0803
570-788-1893; 570-788-2686 (fax)

Pr. Garbe works with congregations in the Hazleton-Leighton and the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Mission Districts; he relates to the Leadership Development Ministry Team, and the companion synod program.

Ms. Matthias-Long oversees youth ministry in the synod. She also relates to the synod associates in ministry and other lay rostered persons and serves as staff liaison to the Worship and Spirituality Ministry Team. She works with Debbie Frey on the Resource Center.

Ms. Schelly is responsible for the financial management of the synod; she relates to the Finance Committee of the Synod Council and oversees the buildings and property at the Wescosville synod office.

Pr. Ziel serves works with congregations in the Bethlehem-Easton Mission District, oversees administration of support staff, and provides help to congregations with constitutions, pensions, and health benefits.

Deaconess Deborah Matern Graf is an associate in ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, where she serves in the areas of Christian education, youth ministry, mission and service, and small group programming. As an associate of the bishop, she works with congregations in the West Berks Mission District.

Pr. Handwerk works with congregations in the Northern Lehigh Valley Mission District; he also relates to union congregations.

Pr. Nielsen is the pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Dingmans Ferry. He works with congregations in the Pocono Mission District.

Pr. Shankweiler is the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley View. He works with congregations in the Schuylkill Mission District.

Pr. Simmons works with congregations in the Lehigh Mission District; he relates to Bear Creek Camp, Appalachian Ministry, and Interim Ministry. He is also the coordinator for the annual synod assembly and bishop's conference.

Ms. Weiser oversees the synod website and produces the weekly E-News that goes to rostered leaders and congregations. She also produces Synod News, the monthly publication for congregational newsletters and bulletins.

Samuel R. Zeiser, bishop

Dawn Baxter,
vice president

Barbara-Anne G. Taylor, secretary

David Hinrichs, treasurer

Sandy Eck

Debbie Frey

Carol Moyer

Mary Perun

[Picture not available]

Brenda Stauffer