The Bishop has primary responsibility for the ministry of Word and Sacrament in this synod and its congregations; provides pastoral care and leadership for the synod, its congregations, and its rostered leaders; oversees and administers the work of the synod; and serves as ecumenical officer for the synod.
The Rev.

Christopher deForest

Bishop

The Bishop has primary responsibility for the ministry of Word and Sacrament in this synod and its congregations; provides pastoral care and leadership for the synod, its congregations, and its rostered leaders; oversees and administers the work of the synod; and serves as ecumenical officer for the synod.

Pastor Dietz serves to strengthen lay and rostered ministry across the Synod through candidacy, First Call Theological Education, mobility, and stewardship. She also the Synod’s Call Process Administrator.
The Rev.

Rachael Dietz

Executive Associate to the Bishop

Pastor Dietz serves to strengthen lay and rostered ministry across the Synod through candidacy, First Call Theological Education, mobility, and stewardship. She also is the Synod’s Call Process Administrator.

E-MAIL

Talk to Rachael about:

  • Call Process Administrator
  • Candidacy
  • Congregational Constitutions
  • Stewardship
Deacon Kat Tigerman works as DEM and also helps congregations and ministries develop and grow, both in time-honored and totally new directions. She relates to the Witness & Service Ministry Team and the Mission Interpretation Network.
Deacon

Kathleen (Kat) Tigerman

Director of Evangelical Mission

Deacon Kat Tigerman serves as the DEM for the synod, helping congregations and ministries develop, collaborate, and grow, both in time-honored and totally new directions.  She relates to the Witness & Service Ministry Team, Racial Justice Team, Green Team, and ELCA Coaching network.

E-MAIL

Talk to Kat about:

Mr. Gombert is responsible for office and operational functions, and also serves as the synod finance administrator / bookkeeper. Eric is also Cantor at St. John, Allentown.

Eric Gombert

Director of Operations

Mr. Gombert is responsible for office and operational functions, and also serves as the synod finance administrator / bookkeeper. Eric is also Cantor at St. John, Allentown.

E-MAIL

Talk to Eric about:

  • Accounts Payable
  • Human Resources
  • 501C3 and PA Sales Tax Exemption
  • NEPS finance and budget

COORDINATING STAFF

Stacey is responsible for communications for the synod, which includes sending enews, announcements and maintaining the synod webpage and branding.  She is passionate about sharing congregational stories as well as uplifting and empowering leadership to incorporate the six core commitments of the Growing Young wheel.
Stacey is responsible for communications for the synod, which includes sending enews, announcements and maintaining the synod webpage and branding.  She is passionate about sharing congregational stories as well as uplifting and empowering leadership to incorporate the six core commitments of the Growing Young wheel.

Stacey Burke

Communications & Growing Young Coordinator

(Full Time)
E-MAIL

Talk to Stacey about:

Laurie maintains the records for rostered leaders and congregations. She oversees the administrative aspects of call processes and provides administrative support to the bishop.
Laurie maintains the records for rostered leaders and congregations. She oversees the administrative aspects of call processes and provides administrative support to the bishop.

Laurie Christman

Leadership Support Coordinator

(Full Time)
E-MAIL

Talk to Laurie about:

  • Maintains Rostered Leader and Congregation Files
  • Receives Roster Leader Annual Reports
  • Tracks Bishop deForest schedule
  • Registrar for synod events
Debbie is the Mission Support Coordinator and is responsible for the daily prayers, office supplies and helping with candidacy. Debbie is also the contact person for pulpit supply.
Debbie is the Mission Support Coordinator and is responsible for the daily prayers, office supplies and helping with candidacy. Debbie is also the contact person for pulpit supply.

Debbie Skinner

Mission Support Coordinator

(Full Time)
E-MAIL

Talk to Debbie about:

Jira headshot
The Rev.

Jira Albers

Licensed Lay Ministers Coordinator

(Part Time)
E-MAIL
headshot Tara Lynn Portico Regional Representative
The Rev.

Tara Lynn

Portico Regional Representative

E-MAIL
Chipotle is a 4-year-old black Labrador from Susquehanna Service Dogs (SSD), near Harrisburg, PA. Chipotle and Rachael became a team in July 2022. He helps her with balance and mobility tasks such as: retrieving dropped items, providing a brace up and down curbs, pushing automatic door buttons, confidence while walking outdoors, fetching her cane from anywhere in the house, taking off her socks, and more! When he’s not working, he loves playing ball and sleeping on the couch. Want to help with his training? The best thing you can do is ignore him!
Chipotle is a 4-year-old black Labrador from Susquehanna Service Dogs (SSD), near Harrisburg, PA. Chipotle and Rachael became a team in July 2022. He helps her with balance and mobility tasks such as: retrieving dropped items, providing a brace up and down curbs, pushing automatic door buttons, confidence while walking outdoors, fetching her cane from anywhere in the house, taking off her socks, and more! When he’s not working, he loves playing ball and sleeping on the couch. Want to help with his training? The best thing you can do is ignore him!

Chipotle

Susquehanna Service Dogs

(Full Time)

ASSOCIATES OF THE BISHOP (PART TIME)

Talk to your Mission District Associate about:

  • Accompany congregations through the entirety of the transition/call process.
  • Work directly with congregations/rostered ministers on issues of conflict, involving the dean as needed.
  • Develop relationships with congregations/rostered ministers outside of the transition process, especially those engaged in healthy, vital ministry.
Pastor Drennan serves full-time as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Macungie and as Associate to the Bishop for the North Lehigh Mission District.
Pastor Drennan serves full-time as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Macungie and as Associate to the Bishop for the North Lehigh Mission District.
The Rev.

Samantha Drennan

Northern Lehigh

E-MAIL
Pastor Grube serves full-time as pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dallas as well as Associate to the Bishop for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Mission District.
Pastor Grube serves full-time as pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dallas as well as Associate to the Bishop for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Mission District.
The Rev.

Charles H. Grube

Scranton & Wilkes Barre

E-MAIL
Pastor Huber serves full-time as pastor of Arndts Lutheran Church in Easton and as Associate to the Bishop for the Lehigh & Bethlehem/Easton Mission District.  Pastor Huber is also the boundary office lead for the synod.
Pastor Huber serves full-time as pastor of Arndts Lutheran Church in Easton and as Associate to the Bishop for the Lehigh & Bethlehem/Easton Mission District.  Pastor Huber is also the boundary office lead for the synod.
The Rev.

Jean L. Huber

Lehigh & Bethlehem/Easton

E-MAIL
Pastor Labagh serves full-time as pastor of Allegheny Lutheran Church in Knauers as well as Associate to the Bishop for the Schuylkill Mission District.
Pastor Labagh serves full-time as pastor of Allegheny Lutheran Church in Knauers as well as Associate to the Bishop for the Schuylkill Mission District.
The Rev.

Zach Labagh

Schuylkill

E-MAIL
Pastor Neidig serves as Associate to the Bishop for the East & West Berks Mission District.
Pastor Neidig serves as Associate to the Bishop for the East & West Berks Mission District.
The Rev.

Drew Neidig

East & West Berks

E-MAIL
Pastor Nielsen serves full-time as pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Dingman's Ferry and as Associate to the Bishop for the Pocono Mission District.
Pastor Nielsen serves full-time as pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Dingman's Ferry and as Associate to the Bishop for the Pocono Mission District.
The Rev.

Niels H. Nielsen

Pocono

E-MAIL
Headshots-203157 - Copy
Bishop

Christopher deForest

Hazleton/Lehighton

E-MAIL

MISSION DISTRICT DEANS (VOLUNTEER)

Talk to your Mission District Dean about:

  • Conduct exit interviews for deacons and pastors leaving a call
  • When requested, provide pastoral care for deacons and pastors
  • Work with mission district leaders.

The Rev. Tom Busteed

(2025-2028)
Lehigh

The Rev. Brandon Heavner

(2025-2028)
Northern Lehigh

The Rev. Marty Milne

(2025-2028)
East Berks

The Rev. Colleen Cox

(2024-2027)
West Berks

The Rev. Jennifer Heavner

(2024-2027)
Bethlehem/Easton

The Rev. Michael Scholtes

(2023-2026)
Pocono

The Rev. Michael Frost

(2025-2026)
Hazleton/Lehighton

The Rev. Michele Kaufman

(2024-2027)
Scranton / Wilkes-Barre

The Rev. Barry L. Spatz

(2025-2028)
Schuylkill
NEPA Logo ONE COLOR TRANS

SYNOD COUNCIL (VOLUNTEER)

The synod council is the board of directors for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod and serves as the synod’s interim legislative authority between meetings of the synod assembly. The Synod Council normally meets six times a year. Visitors are welcome to sit in on council meetings except for executive sessions.

Officers

Bishop
The Rev. Christopher deForest
2026
Vice President, Chair of the Council
Ms. Nancy Reichelt
2027
Secretary
The Rev. Ken Melber
2027
Treasurer
Dr. Donald Boyer
2029

Members

Click on the name to email member

The Rev.

Brian Beissel

2028

Ms.

Nancy Bleam

2027

Ms.

Pattie Corcoran

2026

Bethlehem/Easton Rep

Dr.

Helen Davis

2028

Mr.

Richard DeLuca

2028

Mr.

Jim Doxsey

2027

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rep

Mr.

Joshua Fink

2026

Lehigh Rep

The Rev.

Dana Heckman-Beil

2027

Schuylkill Rep 

Mr.

Stephen Hikes

2028

Ms.

Marie Jucknik

2028

Pocono Rep

Ms.

Amy Mietelski

2027

West Berks Rep

Youth

Travis Reichelt

2027

The Rev. Dr.

Jan Remer-Osborn

2027

Ms.

Jean Sandberg

2026

The Rev.

Carl Shankweiler

2027

Youth

Seraphina Ware

2027

The Rev.

Cindy White

2028

Hazleton/Lehighton Rep

Mr.

Christopher Williams

2028

Northern Lehigh Valley Rep

The Rev.

Eugene Zaiser

2026

East Berks Rep

Female of Color/Primary Language other than English (lay or clergy)

TBD

Male of Color/Primary Language other than English (lay or clergy)

TBD

Facts and Responsibilities

The council consists of the four officers (Bishop, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer), two youth members, and twenty other people, nine of whom are elected by the nine mission districts. Officers are elected by the Synod Assembly. The Bishop serves for a term of six years; the Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are elected for terms of four years. The two youth members, one male and one female, are elected for two-year terms. The Vice President is limited to two consecutive terms in office, must be a layperson and may not receive a salary. The Secretary and Treasurer may be either lay or ordained and may or may not receive compensation for their duties.