Bishop Phyllis Blair Milton

Synod Bishop

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.

Download Bishop Phyllis Milton Biography 2025

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

Rebecca Walls

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. John Wertz Jr.

Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM)/Assistant to the Bishop

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

The Rev. Colleen Hetrick

Assistant  Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Development and Digital Ministry

The Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Development and Digital Ministry 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) oversees the digital ministry of the Virginia Synod.

PO Box 70
Salem, VA  24060
540-529-1788
hetrick@vasynod.org

The Rev. Dave Delaney

Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

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. Liz Radtke

Director of Faith Formation, Retired Rostered Minister Relations, and Conflict Mediation

The Director of Faith Formation, Retired Rostered Minister Relations, and Conflict Mediation oversees the coordination of Synod-wide learning experiences like Power in the Spirit, EPIC and First Call Continuing Education, coordinates the Conference of Deans, serves as liaison for the World Hunger Team, provides programming for retired rostered ministers in the Virginia Synod, and at the request of the Bishop assist with conflict management ministry.

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

Financial Consultant

Richard Hoffman is our financial consultant responsible for the accounting operations of the synod.  In conjunction with the synod treasurer and financial bookkeeper, he is responsible for collating, preparing and interpreting reports, budgets, accounts, commentaries and financial statements, controlling income, cash flow and expenditure, supervising staff and liaising with synod staff and other colleagues.

P.O. Box 70
Salem, VA 24153
540-389-1000
hoffman@vasynod.org

George “Skip” Zubrod

Financial Consultant, Non-Stipendiary

Skip Zubrod is our financial consultant, non-stipendiary. He serves as an assistant to the elected Treasurer of the Virginia Synod, the Bishop, and the paid Financial Consultant of the Virginia Synod. The Financial Consultant, Non-Stipendiary works to support the mission of the Virginia Synod in being Ambassador’s for Christ. The Financial Consultant, Non-Stipendiary will work with the Bishop, Synod Council, and Synod Staff and assist in matters of financial planning, check signing, financial advice for the Synod and other financial matters as requested by the Bishop.

P.O. Box 70
Salem, VA 24153
540-389-1000
zubrod@vasynod.org

Extended Staff Related to the Virginia Synod

Power in the Spirit Coordinators

Edith Blake, Donna Gum, and Pastor Wes Smith
PO Box 70
Salem, VA 24153
(540)-389-1000

Region 9 Candidacy and Leadership Manager

Lianet Ramirez Barrientos

lianet.ramirezbarrientos@elca.org

Candidacy Process Administrator
Adult Faith Formation Director

Deacon Lisa Geiger
757-735-0637