Synod Council
What is the Virginia Synod Council?
The Synod Council serves a visionary role in the Virginia Synod. In conjunction with the Office of the Bishop, the Council reviews and coordinates all planning proposals and establishes synod priorities. The members of Synod share their various gifts for the purposes of God’s mission and ministry through the Virginia Synod and through the churchwide organization of the ELCA. The Synod Council is elected by the yearly Assembly of voting members from each congregation.
The Virginia Synod Council also serves as the board of directors of the Virginia Synod and meets quarterly to supervise the administration of the Synod. These leaders are elected by the Synod Assembly. The Synod Council is composed of members of congregations from across the Virginia Synod, including both rostered ministers (pastors and deacons) and laypeople (those not ordained).
Officers
Class of 2027
Ali Armentrout
Youth Representative
Southern Conference
Term Concludes 2027
The Rev. James Armentrout
Clergy Member
Southern Conference
First Term Concludes 2027
The Rev. Harry Griffith
Clergy Member
Person of Color and/or Primary Language other than English
Second Term Concludes 2027
Cam Haggett
Lay Member
Southern Conference
First Term Concludes 2027
Carlton Hardy
Lay Member
LGBTQIA+ Representative
Peninsula Conference
Second Term Concludes 2027
The Rev. Kayla Keilholtz
Clergy Member
Highlands Conference
First Term Concludes 2027
The Rev. Phillip Martin
Clergy Member
Richmond Conference
Second Term Concludes 2027
Christie McKee
Lay Member
Northern Valley Conference
First Term Concludes 2027
River Smith
Lay Member
Young Adult Representative
New River Conference
First Term Concludes 2027
Jillian Stierwalt
Lay Member
Tidewater Conference
First Term Concludes 2027
Christine Weller
Lay Member
At-Large
First Term Concludes 2027
Class of 2029
The Rev. Deanna Boynton
Clergy Member
Northern Valley Conference
First Term Concludes 2029
Patricia Corliss
Lay Member
At-Large
First Term Concludes 2029
Jerry Hoke
Lay Member
Germanna Conference
First Term Concludes 2029
The Rev. Tina Melusky
Clergy Member
Peninsulas Conference
First Term Concludes 2029
Nathaniel Porter
Lay Member
New River Conference
First Term Concludes 2029
Cedric Wilson
Lay Member
Person of Color and/or Primary Language Other than English
First Term Concludes 2029
Advisory Members
Deacon Lavelva Stephens
President,
Virginia Synod Women’s Org
Robert Quandahl
Chair, Candidacy Committee
The Rev. Anne Jones Martin
Chair, Ministerium Team