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Special Edition March 8, 2016
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Bishop H. Julian Gordy has appointed the Rev. Gary Soop as dean of the Diaspora Conference, 7; the Rev. G. Steven Plonk to serve as a dean in the Ebenezer Conference, 1; and the Rev. Dr. Ruth Hamilton as interim dean of the Trinity Conference, 3. Deans serve in the Southeastern Synod as an extension of the Office of the Bishop. They provide pastoral care to rostered leaders in their deaneries and also serve as communication liaisons to rostered leaders on behalf of Bishop Gordy. In addition, deans support the synod staff in working with congregations in the call process, as needed.
 The Rev. Gary Soop and his wife Mary recently moved to Huntsville, AL to serve as pastor of St. Mark's, Huntsville. Pr. Soop has served this synod well, including time spent as a synod council member and as dean in East Tennessee. He replaces as dean the Rev. Scott Peterson, pastor, Messiah Lutheran, Madison, AL, who is retiring as dean after having served in that capacity for more than two decades.
 Also recently moved, the Rev. G. Steven Plonk serves as pastor of Jerusalem, Rincon, GA. He and his wife, the Rev. Susan Thisell, pastor, Good Shepherd, Garden City, GA, were called to their congregations on the same day, and were subsequently installed in their respective congregations on the same day. Pr. Plonk has had years of experience and has served this synod as interim pastor, St. John's, Atlanta, GA. As dean, he replaces the Rev. Barbara Koch who has accepted a call to Mt. Zion-St. Luke, Oglethorpe, GA, in the Good N.E.W.S. Conference. Pr. Plonk serves as dean of the congregations in the Savannah area and along the Georgia coast.
 The Rev. Dr. Ruth Hamilton, pastor, St. Luke, Atlanta, GA is the Secretary of the Southeastern Synod Council. As interim dean, she will serve as dean in place of the Rev. Mary Peters. Pr. Peters is taking some time from her responsibilities as dean while the congregation she serves, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta, GA, continues its leadership transition following the election of senior pastor, the Rev. Timothy Smith, to bishop of the North Carolina Synod.
"As the role of the deans has expanded over the last several years, the gifts these pastors bring to the role will be invaluable to our whole church," said the Rev. Jill Henning, pastor, Trinity, Lilburn, GA, who serves as dean for the Magi Conference as well as the overall coordinator of the deans. She continued, "We thank their congregations for sharing their leadership and for the ways we work together to be the church in our challenging geographical context."
Bishop Gordy said, "I am deeply grateful for the good work done by Pr. Scott Peterson and Pr. Barb Koch. Both have served faithfully and well, and have extended the work of this office in helpful ways. We look forward to working with these new deans and give thanks for their willingness to serve."
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ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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