Bishop and Staff
The Synod Staff
is dedicated to ELCA congregations, pastors, deacons, SAMs, and leaders in the Northeastern Minnesota Synod. Our purpose is empowering congregations and ministries to encounter and share the love of God in Christ Jesus while advancing our core values of Welcome, Connect, Reform, and Support.
OUR BISHOP
Bishop Taryn Montgomery
Bishop of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod
- Pastor to the synod; its Rostered Ministers (Pastors and Deacons), Synod Authorized Ministers, and congregations
- Primary responsibility for the ministry of Word and Sacrament in this synod and its congregations
- Preaching, teaching and administration of the Sacraments
Taryn.Montgomery@nemnsynod.org
Deacon Susan Williams
Bishop's Associate for Leadership
- Call Process & Mobility
- Candidacy Process
- Seminary Staff Liaison
- Roster administration
- Support to First Call Rostered Ministers
- Coordinator of Fall Leadership Gathering, Synod Assembly, & First Call Retreat
- Liaison to Welcome & Reconciliation Team and Hunger & Justice Team
Pastor Tanner Howard
DEM & Bishop's Associate for Generosity
- Congregational Vitality
- Mission and Ministry Development
- Congregational partnerships and geographic ministry strategies
- Grant administration
- Oversee Stewardship Ministries of the synod, including the Emmaus Fund and Generous Together
- Participate in Call Process & Mobility
- Coordinate the annual Walking Together event and the annual Emmaus Fund Gala
- Liaison to the EcoFaith Network and Together Here Ministries
Pastor Laura Mills Anderson
Bishop's Associate for Formation
- Participate in the Call Process & Mobility
- Oversee and facilitate synod ministries that connect with children, youth and families
- Foster a wider understanding of lay leadership among congregations
- Coordinator of the LYO Leadership Camp, All Youth Gathering, and ministries related to the ELCA Youth Gathering
- Liaison to Lay Leader Network and Sumud Northland
Joy Hensel
Bishop's Associate for Care
- Oversee and facilitate in Mental Health and Wellness
- Offer support to congregations in transition and work directly with interim leaders
- Work with the DEM on strategic approaches to congregational vitality using family systems theory
- Connector for WELCA and rostered chaplains
Julia Gwash
Office Administrator & Communications
- Manage daily operations of the NE MN Synod office
- Liaison to Synod Council
- Manage the synod databases, including the synod rosters
- Develop reports needed for synod business
- Create, write, edit, and dissimilate all synod communications
- Recruit and manage office volunteers
- Executive Assistant to the Bishop
- Assist with administrative needs at synod-wide events
- Connector for Lutheran Advocacy-MN, Young Adult Ministries, including Lutheran Campus Ministry and ELCA Gather Network
Pastor Rollie Bockbrader
Bookkeeper & Tech Support
- Manage the day-to-day financial data and records
- Ensure that the financial records of the synod are accurate, organized, and compliant
- Serve as Tech Support for synod office & staff, and oversee tech support for the Synod Assembly and other synod-wide gatherings
Pastor Sarah Stadler
Worship Coordinator
- Serve as the lead musician for all synod-wide events, including Fall Leadership Gathering, Walking Together, Synod Assembly, and other events
- Accompany the Bishop to ordinations
- Organize musicians according to their gifts and the needs of the event
- Plan the liturgy, select songs, and organize worship assistants and readers
- Prepare and print worship folders and related needed materials
Anne Laechel
Hospitality
- Oversee and manage registration for Synod Assembly, Fall Leadership Gathering, Walking Together, All Youth Gathering, LYO Leadership Camp, and other synod events
- Attend in-person, greet, and provide support at Synod Assembly, Walking Together, and All Youth Gathering
- Ensure name tags, printed materials, and other needed resources as accounted for
- Organize and lead a group of volunteers as needed
- Serve as registrar/credentials for Synod Assembly
