Carings Heading 

      

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
 

Synod Staffing Changes: Addressing Challenges, Responding to Needs
  

by Rev. Sharron R. Blezard 

 

Change is seldom easy. It is especially difficult when shrinking mission support mandates a more streamlined staff and creative operations strategies. Many congregations, organizations, and other church-related ministries are finding it necessary to do much more with much less. Our Lower Susquehanna Synod is no exception to this trend.

 

Within the last 12 months, the loss of two assistants to the bishop (a retirement and position elimination) marked the first staff reduction and realignment efforts. In response, and in recognition of economic realities and shrinking mission support, Synod Council adopted a staff reduction policy in anticipation of potential future changes.

 

This week, the Rev. Thomas McKee, assistant to the bishop and personnel officer for our synod, outlined additional staffing changes and realignment of responsibilities that were approved at the April 20 meeting of Synod Council, which supervises operations. These changes are designed to meet the needs of our synod's 238 congregations and worshiping communities, to support identified priorities for our life together, and to address continued decreases in mission support income. A combination of a retirement, two position eliminations, reassignment of some responsibilities to other staff, and the addition of a part-time contract position will enable our synod to continue its mission and service within the present fiscal limitations. Pastor McKee praised synod staff for their good work and faithfulness.  

 

Joanne Wilhelm, Director for Administration and Executive Assistant to the Bishop, announced plans to retire effective August 31, after more than 36 years of service. "While this entire synod and especially the synod staff will miss her graciousness, her many talents, and her wealth of knowledge including our institutional history," said Pastor McKee, "we rejoice that she will have the opportunity to spend additional time with her family who have looked forward to her retirement."  

 

The two support positions to be eliminated under the staff reduction policy are held by Brenda Rockwell and Carol Krouse, who will leave the staff effective August 31.  

 

"We thank both of them for their fine service to this synod and wish them well as they seek other employment," said Pastor McKee.

 

Pam Drenner, currently Director of Resource Ministries and Communication, will maintain her leadership of the Resource Center and assume oversight of overall synod office administration. Because feedback from synod Listening Posts and Conference Assemblies expressed a consistent need for continued emphasis on communication and a comprehensive media strategy for the synod, a part-time Communications Specialist will be contracted. Our synod has contracted with Pastor Sharron Blezard to build on Ms. Drenner's excellent work with Carings & Sharings and the synod Facebook page, manage communication for Synod Assembly, lead redesign of the web site, and develop a communications/social media strategy to share the compelling stories of what God is doing through the people and ministries of this synod.

 

Pastor McKee reported that the following staff will be in place when the new bishop, to be elected at Synod Assembly in June, takes office September 1.

  • Assistant to the bishop for administration (Pastor Thomas McKee);
  • Assistant to the bishop for mobility (Pastor Virginia Cover);
  • Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry (Charlie Roberts);
  • Director for Resources Ministries and Executive Assistant for the Administrative Offices (Pam Drenner);
  • Executive Assistant for the Treasurer's Office (Linda Lubold);
  • Administrative Assistant for the assistant to the bishop for mobility and Director for Evangelical Mission (Cathy Deitrich);
  • Administrative Assistant for the Resource Center (Marty Shifflett); and
  • Secretary (part-time) for the Treasurer's Office (Cathy Paul).

 In addition to regular staff, others serving our synod include:

  • Volunteer vice president (Lucinda Bringman),
  • Volunteer (with stipend) treasurer to be elected at the 2013 Synod Assembly,
  • ELCA Director of Evangelical Mission (Pastor Richard Jorgensen).

 

Serving under contract are:

  • Communications Specialist (Pastor Sharron Blezard);
  • Information Technology Specialist (Joel Ruths);
  • Reconciler and Consultant for Auditing Purposes (Barbara Lane);
  • Web and Minute Book Consultant (Doug West).

 

The new bishop has six months from September 1 to retain current staff members or gather new staff members within budgetary guidelines.  

 

In response to recent and upcoming retirements and staff reductions, Bishop B. Penrose Hoover said, "All of these persons have given dedicated and valuable service to the church for the sake of Jesus and even as I thank them for their hard and faithful work, it is difficult to see them go.

"It is my continued prayer that all of us as one church will increasingly value the importance and necessity of an administrative infrastructure that supports our cooperative ministries, new worshiping communities, first-call pastors and rostered leaders, theological education, leadership training, global mission and outreach, and official ecumenical dialogue and cooperation," he added.

 

 

 

 
 
Carings and Sharings is the e-newsletter of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Its purpose is the sharing of news and events which raise up the mission and ministry of the synod and ELCA in our congregations, our synod, and the broader church. It is not intended to be an endorsement of every activity. Comments about this newsletter may be sent to Pam Drenner, editor, [email protected].

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