Patti Axel Nativity, Bethlehem GA Minister of Word and Sacrament Educational Background: MDiv at Southern Seminary, BA at Georgia State University (Philosophy and Religious Studies) Diploma of Nursing (Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing Professional Background: Successfully nurtured a Mission Start to full congregational status in the ELCA (in the 5%) Dean of Magi Conference Coordinator for Palliative Care Program in NICU at CHOA/Egleston while on staff Community Involvement: non official coordinator of Ecumenical Events for many clergy/congregational events in Barrow County, GA Preach weekly on Radio program "Lutheran Power Half Hour" WJBB 107.1 FM Mentor children and run Food Pantry at Briscoe Mill Mobile Home Park Congregational Involvement: Pastor/Mission Developer Spiritual Midwife Organizational Cheerleader and Motivator Retreat Leader Idea generator for Ministry opportunities Synod/Churchwide Involvement: served Personnel Committee Dean - Magi Conference Affirm Staff Inclusivity: Clergy (Minister of Word and Sacrament), Female, Over age 31, White Why do you want to attend the 2019 Churchwide Assembly? I desire to represent this Synod to our brothers and sisters at the churchwide assembly. I've never had the opportunity to serve the church like this and am eager to see the ELCA at work in the grand scheme of things/to participate in the activities set to serve the people in the global community who depend upon our gifts and skills. The ELCA has much to offer from members all over the country and as a representative of this Synod I would bring our ideas to the larger body and bring ideas back to this Synod for discussion/prayer and, where appropriate, implementation. I am a "think outside the box" extrovert and am energized by being a part of the work of the church at large; meeting people and brainstorming ways to be the church in new and exciting ways; learn new ways of reaching those who have left/have felt unwelcome in the ELCA; to discover ways of creatively serving and growing the spiritual breadth and depth of service and discipleship in this body we are members of. Past churchwide assemblies attended: None What are your hopes for the ELCA? The ELCA has a heart for justice and mercy, diversity and service. It is my hope that we will increase our ethnic, age, sexuality & gender specific diversity over the next few years to reach goals set in the past in order that all of God's children feel they have a place and a role in this church. It is my hope that we would continue to be a prophetic voice in the wilderness for the rights of people of all nationalities, ethnic backgrounds and sexual identities. It is my hope that we incorporate D-37
(Patti Axel, continued) the skills and gifts of all these people into the dreams and work of this body of believers; recognizing our collective and individual gifts for ministry and the art of humanity at its best - working towards the goal of living into the image of God, not trying to remake God in our own. D-38
Tiffany Chaney Gathered by Grace, Montgomery AL Pastor Developer and System Director, Business Development, Baptist Health Educational Background: Master of Divinity, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia; Master of Science in Health Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Master of Business Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Bachelor of Science in Finance, University of Alabama at Birmingham Professional Background: 1) Developer for two ELCA new missions, 2) Leadership Montgomery Torchbearers Leadership Inaugural Class, 3) Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives Community Involvement: 1) Hope Inspired Ministries Mentor; 2) River Region Walk to End Alzheimer's Mission Committee; 3) Macon County Ministers' Council Congregational Involvement: Pastor Developer - activities include evangelism, discipleship, administration, leadership development, fund development Synod/Churchwide Involvement: 1) Mission Outreach and Renewal Committee, Southeastern Synod; 2) Future Directions Table, ELCA Churchwide Organization; 3) Nominating Committee, ELCA Churchwide Organization Inclusivity: Clergy (Minister of Word and Sacrament), Female, Over age 31, Black or African American Why do you want to attend the 2019 Churchwide Assembly? As a rostered minister who understands my call as being to the whole church, I have made every effort, starting as a lay person and continuing into my rostered leadership, to be involved in all three expressions of the church. In addition to my service as a Mission Developer, I have had the opportunity to serve on various synodical and churchwide committees. However, I have not had the opportunity to serve as a Churchwide Assembly Voting Member. Over the years, I have learned more about how the work of the Churchwide Assembly impacts the work of the Churchwide Organization, setting the direction for how we serve as Church together. I would consider it a privilege to serve as a Churchwide Assembly Voting Member at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. It is a role I would take seriously and I would strive to support decisions that positively move forward our church. It would also be a great learning opportunity as I continue to learn about the three expressions of our church. Past churchwide assemblies attended: Visitor (Grace Gathering Workshop Leader) at 2016 Churchwide Assembly What are your hopes for the ELCA? I hope the ELCA continues to boldly share God s grace in the world, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope we have vital congregations that are holistically healthy, allowing them to minister to members and community. I hope the communities we serve see us present, joyfully serving alongside D-39
(Tiffany Chaney, continued) our neighbor, facing outward, authentically welcoming all. I hope we continue to raise up faithful leaders to serve in all vocations, including rostered ministry. I hope we are a church willing to work inside out to dismantle racism in our congregations, synods, Churchwide organization, and on to our neighborhoods, cities, country, and world. I hope we strive for justice for all people on the margins of our society, recognizing complex systems of intersectionality and oppression and demanding better. I hope we are a church that will go into places and spaces unfamiliar and uncomfortable to us because we love the people there enough to go even at the risk of making ourselves uncomfortable. D-40
Ruth Hamilton St. Luke, Atlanta GA ELCA Region 9 Manager for Candidacy & Leadership Educational Background: M.Div. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Ph.D. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL M.A. Northwestern University B.A. Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA Professional Background: Assistant to the ELCA secretary, 2003-2012 Director for Archives Administration, 1999-2002 Assistant Professor, Northern Illinois University, 1982-1987; Wartburg College, 1987-1988 Community Involvement: St. Luke, Atlanta, and St. Luke, Chicago, are active in their communities through recovery programs, low-cost and senior housing, feeding the hungry, and education. Congregational Involvement: Pastor, St. Luke, Atlanta, 2012-2017 Assisting Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Luke, Chicago, 2003-2012 Synod/Churchwide Involvement: Secretary, Southeastern Synod, 2013-2017 Member, Southeastern Synod Council, 2013-2017 Dean, Trinity Conference, 2015-2017 Inclusivity: Clergy (Minister of Word and Sacrament), Female, Over age 31, White Why do you want to attend the 2019 Churchwide Assembly? I would like to bring my gifts and experience to the voting members of the Churchwide Assembly, particularly those of the Southeastern Synod--and to receive their gifts and experiences in return. Past churchwide assemblies attended: 1997-2011 What are your hopes for the ELCA? I hope that the ELCA can inspire its members and reach out to the world with the story of God's love for all and God's call to everyone. D-41
Mary Louise Sitton Immanuel, Blountville TN Pastor Educational Background: BA in Sacred Music from Lenoir-Rhyne University MDiv from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Professional Background: Senior Buyer of Electro-Mechanical items for Interlogix (security alarm equipment) Served as pastor at St. Luke's Lutheran church in Mount Ulla, NC for 11 years Served as Dean of the Rowan Conference of the North Carolina Synod Community Involvement: Partner with Shades of Grace UMC to provide milk ministry to the homeless in Kingsport. Participate in the Blountville Area Ministerial Association (BAMA) Volunteer at Central Heights Elementary School in Blountville Congregational Involvement: Provide leadership for Bible study. Participate in annual Gospel Fest activities (4 night event with local emphasis) Interact with Women's group and Men's groups within the congregation. Plan worship so that people of all ages may participate as active leaders. Offer assistance to all congregants or extended family when needed Synod/Churchwide Involvement: Served on Candidacy Committee in the North Carolina Synod Was a voting member for the 2013 church-wide assembly from North Carolina Served as a mentor in the TEEM program for the Southeast Synod Inclusivity: Clergy (Minister of Word and Sacrament), Female, Over age 31, White Why do you want to attend the 2019 Churchwide Assembly? The churchwide assembly is a snapshot of the ELCA. Having been a voting member when Bishop Eaton was chosen in 2013, I've experienced the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in a filled auditorium as we prepared for our last voting ballot. The Holy Spirit was with us that day in a way that will never be forgotten. Our assembly is vital as a place where all are welcome to share their visions and experiences. Living in East Tennessee for the past two years, being at the churchwide assembly is a way to focus on the different needs and ideas of our multicultural body of Christ in ways that are not always so evident. As a church body, we are bold to celebrate our diversity and lift up ways in which we glorify God in many different styles and activities. Past churchwide assemblies attended: 2013 What are your hopes for the ELCA? In a world that is changing each day, the ELCA has encompassed many of those changes. The challenge for us as a church body is to continue to open our hearts and minds to recognize how we reach out to God's people in ways that show Christ's light and love. We have a responsibility to protect God's creation and all that is in it: people, animals, natural resources and other things that we have been entrusted with be cared for in ways that will ensure future generations find the same sources of what is necessary for life.i certainly thank God for what has been accomplished so far and pray that we continue to be active in God's mission, tirelessly responding in love and deed in the name of Jesus Christ. D-42
Susan Thisell Good Shepherd, Garden City GA Pastor Educational Background: Master of Divinity, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary 2015 Certified Advanced Practice in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 2001-2016 Master of Science in Psychiatric Nursing, Medical College of Georgia, 2001 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 1980 Professional Background: Graduated with honors from 2 master's programs Currently in third year of first call after transitioning from first career as psychiatric nurse Career in nursing was dedicated to serving persons and communities disproportionately affected by poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, racism or violence. Community Involvement: Savannah Alliance of Pastors (seeking community solutions to gun violence) Effingham County Ecumenical AntiRacism effort Ebenezer Conference, rostered ministers of the Coastal Cluster Congregational Involvement: Solo Pastor, priority is equipping disciples for ministry and mission. Co-chair of congregation council, plans worship with Worship Team and presides at worship, active involvement with Outreach Team, Synod/Churchwide Involvement: local: Planning group for Reformation 500 events for Coastal Cluster CE/ Professional Development: Synod leadership Convocations 2015- present, Rostered Minister's Gathering 2017, Synod: AFFIRM Staff 2018. Synod Assemblies 2015 to present, served on 2017 Minutes Committee, Inclusivity: Clergy (Minister of Word and Sacrament), Female, Over age 31, White Why do you want to attend the 2019 Churchwide Assembly? I would be honored to serve as a voting member at Churchwide Assembly and am excited to learn more about how the three expressions of our church work together to serve the world. I have found involvement at synod gatherings to be essential for me and my parishioners in broadening our view of how Holy Spirit moves in us and through us as the Body of Christ in the world. I expect that attending the Triennial Churchwide Assembly would only increase this through making connections, working, and worshiping with other disciples from across the nation. We are faced with many challenges, and I wonder how God might use me and our Church to more faithfully proclaim the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, and more broadly contribute to the in-breaking of God s reign in today s world. I humbly ask that you consider giving me this opportunity. Past churchwide assemblies attended: None. What are your hopes for the ELCA? I have many hopes for the ELCA. They include a renewal of our witness and vision for mission in our world. The world is hungry for a connection with God but many are suspicious of us because of our past failings. We have to listen to our people, young and old: those who hold our traditions sacred and those D-43
(Susan Thisell, continued) who understand new ways of being church in the world; those who have been healed by their church and those who have been hurt in it, and even those who have left us or were never with us in the first place. The challenges we face are many, and the Church as institution is undergoing significant changes, so we must be ready to embrace new ways of being God s presence in the world. God s grace is ours through baptism and Jesus promised never to leave us, so we can be bold in proclaiming our truth. In our brokenness we will make mistakes, but if we are faithful in seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will be led to the answers we seek about how this will look in the future. D-44