Synod Staff

Bishop Duane Pederson

Bishop: Rev. Duane C. Pederson
12 West Marshall, PO Box 730
Rice Lake, WI 54868
O: 715/234-3373
bishop@nwswi.org

Bishop Pederson is the synod's pastor who oversees the synod. He also preaches, teaches, and administers the sacraments. His leadership involves pastoral care for the congregations, ordained ministers, and associates in ministry of this synod. The Bishop also relates to ELCA Churchwide, Conference of Bishops, Region V, and Colleges and Seminaries. He presides at all meetings of the Synod Assembly and is the chief executive officer.

Assistant to the Bishop: Rev. Amy Odgren
12 W. Marshall, PO Box 730
Rice Lake, WI 54868
O: 715/234-3373, Mobile 715-651-9713
aodgren@nwswi.org

Pastor Odgren works primarily in the area of Evangelism and Outreach. She manages the Candidacy process for this Synod, working closely with the Candidacy Committee. She is also responsible for Lutheran Campus Ministry, Youth and Family Ministry, and the Mission Support Commission.

Assistant to the Bishop: Rev. Todd J. Iverson
12 W. Marshall, PO Box 730
Rice Lake, WI 54868
O: 715-234-3373, Mobile: 715-651-9154
tiverson@nwswi.org

Pastor Iverson works with congregations in the call process and regularly preaches in the congregations of the synod. He is Stewardship specialist for the synod and is responsible for the Leadership Support Commission, providing support for clergy.

Assistant to the Bishop: Rev. Greg Kaufmann
Synod Resource Center
1005 Oxford Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54703
O: 715-833-1153
gkaufmann@nwswi.org

Pastor Kaufmann has been called to be Assistant to the Bishop and Director of the Resource Center. His office is located in the Synod Resource Center, located at First Lutheran Church, Eau Claire. These resources are available online at www.synodresourcecenter.org or by visiting the physical site at 1005 Oxford Ave., Eau Claire. In addition, Pastor Greg is the Director of the Lay School of Ministry, and works with the Youth Worker's Network, the Lutheran Youth Organization, the Women of the ELCA, and the Synodically Authorized Ministries program. You will often find Pastor Greg preaching and sharing his "Synod Ministry Sunday" presentations in congregations.He also coordinates the Continuing Education Task Force and the Bishop's Initiative to Raise Up Leaders for the six synods of WI and the UP.

Companion Synod Coordinator: Diane Kaufmann
Companion Synods in Malawi and Brazil
5207 70th St.
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
H: 715-723-2262
dkaufmann@nwswi.org

As the coordinator for Companion Synod relationships, Diane Kaufmann works with leadership from our companion synods to facilitate a growing understanding of our partnership in the Gospel between those churches, the NW Synod of Wisconsin, and the ELCA. She assists congregations with interpretation of mission, communication, project development and implementation, and travel planning. Her mission statement: We are Walking in the Light of God, together sharing the good new of Jesus and embracing the mutuality of our gifts and mission.

SYNOD SUPPORT STAFF

Executive Assistant: Merry Soyck-Doring
12 West Marshall, PO Box 730
Rice Lake, WI 54868
O: 715-234-3373
msoyck-doring@nwswi.org

Merry is the office manager for administrative support; is responsible for communications with congregations and the ELCA offices by editing the synod newsletter, the supplement to The Lutheran, and various brochures and fliers. She maintains the synod roster, compiles the synod assembly book and directory, and serves as staff liaison to the Assembly Committee and to Soul Support, the organization for church office professionals.

Administrative Assistant: Liz Bartsch
12 West Marshall, PO Box 730
Rice Lake, WI 54868
Phone: 715-234-3373, Fax: 715-234-4183
lbartsch@nwswi.org

Liz welcomes guests visiting and/or calling the synod office. She is also responsible for providing administrative support to the bishop, assistants to the bishop, executive assistant and bookkeeper.

Bookkeeper: Gail Brown
12 West Marshall, PO Box 730
Rice Lake, WI 54868
O: 715-234-3373, Fax: 715-234-4183
gbrown@nwswi.org

Gail is the synod bookkeeper, and maintains the financial books of the synod. Recording of benevolence, registrations for synod events, and payroll all fall within Gail's area. Her responsibilities also include maintenance of the synod budget and registrar duties at the Synod Assembly.

Gift Planner: Roger Knuth
8520 Sand Lake Rd.
Harshaw, WI 54529
715-493-4346
knuthr1@newnorth.net

Roger is the synod gift planner and works with congregations and members in the area of planned giving. He is available as a resource to congregations for the establishment of local mission endowment funds and to assist in the education of our membership about charitable gifting and whole-life stewardship. Estate planning service, as it relates to charitable giving, is offered to all members of our congregations at no cost or obligation.