Dear friends in Christ,
 
I pray this message finds you well on these hot summer days. I wanted to let you all know of some staff changes and updates. Beginning July 1^st, Ms. Sue Tyler joined the synod staff as the Executive Assistant to the Bishop. Ms. Tyler succeeds Ms. Carolyn Davis upon her retirement on July 31^st. We give thanks for the many years of service Ms. Davis has given to the Southeastern Synod. We now bid her Godspeed and farewell as she moves to Minnesota.

Pastor Justin Eller has served on the synod staff for a couple of years as Assistant to the Bishop for Latine Strategy. This has been part-time, and he was also serving part-time as Associate Pastor of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, GA. Beginning August 1^st, Pastor Eller will become full-time on the synod staff. Grant funds will enable this ministry to further and broaden. Pastor Eller’s new title will be, Assistant to the Bishop for Care and Community.

Pastor Eller will spend part of his time on Latine ministry in our synod. For the other amount of his time, Pr. Eller will assist and direct the following synod ministries: new to the synod rostered ministers, relator to retired rostered ministers and spouses, direct first call theological education, and assist the bishop with primary pastoral care to and for rostered ministers.

Another addition to our staff is Ms. Allison Lizdis. Ms. Lizdis will join the synod staff on August 15^th as the new Assistant to the Bishop for Advocacy. Prior to her appointment to this position, Pastor Matt Steinhauer served in this role.

I invite you to welcome these ministry partners as we continue to equip, empower, and engage all of God’s people to love and serve. You can read more about these new staff persons and contact them through this link:  https://www.elca-ses.org/bishopandstaff.

God’s Peace,

 
+Bishop Kevin L. Strickland