Bishop Phyllis Blair Milton
The Rev. Dr. Phyllis Blair Milton is the bishop of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Elected to a six-year term in 2023, the Rev. Dr. Milton previously served as Pastor at Holy Communion in Portsmouth from 2022 until her election as bishop. Prior to that, she served as Interim Associate Pastor at First Lutheran in Norfolk from March-November in 2021; Pastor and School Chaplain at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and School in Hampton from 2013-2021; Synodical Minister for Christian Formation for the Virginia Synod from 2012-2017.
Bishop Milton earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University in 1976, Masters degrees from Georgia State in 1980 and Bethel Seminary in 1995, and her Doctorate of Ministry in Church Leadership Development and Organizational Systems from Bethel Seminary in 2004 and completed her Lutheran Semester at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 2010.
The Bishop of the Virginia Synod offers leadership for our Synod and all our rostered ministers. For the entire areas of responsibility for the bishop, please refer to Chapter 8 (Officers) of the Virginia Synod Constitution. You can find information regarding the bishop under Sections 8.10 to 8.12.02.
The Rev. Dr. Phyllis Blair Milton, Bishop
P.O. Box 70
Salem, VA 24153
540-389-1000
bishopmilton@vasynod.org
Virginia Synod Staff
The Rev. Kelly Bayer Derrick
Assistant to the Bishop for Ministries of Leadership Formation, Belonging, and Justice
The Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Development and Justice Ministries provides support and leadership for two primary areas of ministry: 1) ministries of discernment and leadership formation in the Virginia Synod – including both ordained and lay leadership; and 2) ministries of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. In leadership development, Pastor Bayer Derrick coordinates support for the Synod candidacy process and the Lay Ministry Academy and engages in visioning for support of healthy leaders – both rostered and lay person. In DEI Belonging, she coordinates the Synod’s justice ministries (Tapestry, VICPP, World Hunger, and other ELCA justice initiatives), Boundaries and Inclusion Education of ELCA Region 9, and education resources with Synod leaders around DEI Belonging.
540-389-1000
bayerderrick@vasynod.org
The Rev. John Wertz Jr.
Director
The Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) and Assistant to the Bishop provides support and resourcing for the congregations and leaders of the Virginia Synod in the areas of stewardship, congregational vitality and mission strategy. The DEM works with the ELCA Churchwide organization to explore new and expanded ministry opportunities in the Synod. The DEM is called by the ELCA in coordination with the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop and serves both on the Churchwide and Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop staff.
1301 Colley Ave.
Norfolk VA 23517-0010
540.389.1000
wertz@vasynod.org
Rebecca Walls
Assistant to the Bishop for Call Process
and Executive Administrative Support for the Bishop
Assistant to the Bishop for Call Process
and Executive Administrative Support for the Bishop
The Assistant to the Bishop for Call Process and Executive Support for the Bishop provides overall supervision to the call process assisting with every stage of the call process and caring for congregational needs for pastoral ministry. This position also provides executive support for the Bishop and oversees administrative systems, policies, and procedures in the Office of the Bishop.
P.O. Box 70
Salem, VA 24153
540-389-1000
walls@vasynod.org
The Rev. Dave Delaney
The Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry provides vision and strategy for faith formation among Virginia Synod ELCA youth and young adults as faithful, bold, and serving followers of Christ. Main responsibilities include synod youth ministry, campus ministry, outdoor ministry, and congregational resourcing for youth and young adult ministry.
P.O. Box 70
Salem, VA 24153
540-529-6893
delaney@vasynod.org
The Rev. Colleen Montgomery
Director for Digital Ministries
The Director for Digital Ministry oversees the digital ministry of the Virginia Synod and serves as a resource for congregations.
PO Box 70
Salem, VA 24060
540-529-1788
montgomery@vasynod.org
The Rev. Liz Radtke
Director for Congregation and Leadership Support
The Director of Congregation and Leadership Support oversees the coordinating of conflict management education and other educational opportunities throughout the Virginia Synod; supporting congregational and leadership health and well-being.
PO Box 70
Salem, VA 24060
540-389-1000
radtke@vasynod.org
Lenae Osmondson
Administrative Coordinator for Events and Data Manager
The Administrative Coordinator for Events and Data Manager for the Office of the Bishop serves as the event coordinator for various synod events, managing synod publications, logistics, and support for the Synod Council, Deans, and Synod Committees. This role also includes managing data and records, tracking requirements, and providing various reports as needed.
PO Box 70
Salem, VA 24060
757-622-9421
osmondson@vasynod.org
Debbie Hux
Administrative Assistant for the Salem Office of the Bishop
The Administrative Assistant for the Salem Office of Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop will provide clerical and office support activities for the overall functioning of the Office of the Bishop, to include managing programmatic and financial databases.
PO Box 70
Salem, VA 24060
540-389-1000
hux@vasynod.org
Richard Hoffman
P.O. Box 70
Salem, VA 24153
540-389-1000
hoffman@vasynod.org
George “Skip” Zubrod
Financial Consultant, Non-Stipendiary
P.O. Box 70
Salem, VA 24153
540-389-1000
zubrod@vasynod.org