To the beloved people of the Virginia Synod,

I write to announce my resignation as the Director of Faith Formation, Retired Rostered Ministers Relations, and Conflict Mediation, effective November 14th, 2025.

Guided by the synodical theme set forth by Joshua 1:9 – “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (NRSVue) – I have taken the time to intentionally discern how best to serve the people of the Virginia Synod, and I have discerned God’s call to return to the parish and to walk with the people of God in their daily lives.

Three years ago I was honored by Bishop Humphrey when he asked me to preach at the opening worship of that year’s Synod Assembly. This was the first in-person gathering for the Virginia Synod post-Covid. During that sermon I said that “It was so good to see you,” and it was: being together in-person, being able to work and pray and worship together in the same space, in the same room – making connections, forging relationships, and discerning where God is calling the Virginia Synod through the election of Bishop Milton.

Throughout these past three years as a member of the Office of the Bishop staff I can not only say that, “It has been so good to see you,” as I travel across the Synod, but I can also say, “It has been so good to know you”: to walk with you through the highs and lows of ministry, to listen to your joys and frustrations, and to imagine and dream with you. Thank you so much for welcoming me into your communities, your ministry sites, and your lives.

Even as my role shifts away from coordinating events and ministries at the Synod level, I hope and trust that in my new role I will continue to know you more deeply; to be a co-worker and a co-missioner with you in the church in this day and in this context; and to truly be the hands, feet, and voices of God together, in and for this hurting world.

Though my ministry will now be concentrated in one geographical area, I look forward to continuing to see you all at Synod events, to hearing how things are going in your contexts, and to being able to pray with and for you as you continue to be strong and courageous stewards of God’s mission.

It has been a privilege and honor to be in this ministry, and it is hard for me to walk away from it, but I know that this is how God is calling me to serve the Virginia Synod at this time. I keep the staff of the Virginia Synod and all of you in my prayers during this time of transition, and I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Synod events, especially at Power in the Spirit next summer.

Until then, peace be with you all.

In Christ,

Pastor Liz Radtke

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

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Joshua 1:9 – “I hereby command you: Be strong, and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you where you go.” (NRSVue)

Transitions are never easy but are a natural part of this life’s journey.

We don’t know what a new experience will bring, but we do know that our God is with us every step of the way.

The Office of the Bishop is grateful for the ways in which Pastor Liz has used her gifts to minister to the needs of our congregations. Her care and concern for our Conferences and their Deans and Retired Rostered Ministers, her leadership with EPIC (Effective Practices for Innovative Congregations), her partnership with the leaders of Power in the Spirit, her creative and much appreciated emphasis on self-care and spiritual disciplines in our Rostered Minister Strong Connections Conversations and her expertise in conflict mediation have been gifts to the Virginia Synod.

May she continue to find joy as a shepherd for God’s people.

Blessings,
Bishop Phyllis Milton