Metropolitan Chicago Synod
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Pastoral Staff Biographical Information

Bishop Miller • Pastor Breimeier • Pastor Garfias • Pastor Hileman • Pastor Legania
 

Full Synod Staff
 

• Serve as the Executive Administrative Assistant to Pastoral Associates for Candidacy and African-American Strategies
• Primary communication about and oversight of the candidacy process
• Coordinates candidacy process and relates to the synod’s Ministry Committee, Illinois Multisynodical Candidacy Committee, and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Ph: 773-248-0021 - Extension #13
E-mail: cbreimeier@mcselca.org 

• Oversee the accurate maintenance of the professional rosters and mobility process for professional leaders of the synod
• Relate to the Proclamation Team
• Convene a planning and implementation team for transformational ministry and congregational health strategies
• Relate to a table of pastors in congregations with 50 to 200 in average attendance
• Relate to Consultation Team in developing conflict resolution strategies
• Preach and teach regularly in congregations of the synod
• Serve as primary pastoral contact for the congregations of the North, Northwest, and Northeast Conferences

Mr. Jeff Drake
Associate to the Bishop

Ph: 773-248-0021 - Extension #16
E-mail: jdrake@mcselca.org 

• Create and maintain all general communication mechanisms for the synod, including the synod Web site and news publications

• Work with the bishop to create and review all communications to the general public that represent the “public face” of this synod and this church

• Work with the communications specialists in the churchwide office to connect public positions of this synod with the work of the ELCA

• Consult with congregations to improve or enhance their electronic and print media communications

• To serve as primary staff contact person for Ecumenical Concerns, Social Ministry Organizations, Partner and Companion Synod relationships

• Relate to the Assembly Planning Committee as an advisor on matters of media and communication
   

The Rev. Héctor Garfias-Toledo

• Relate to the ELCA Program Unit for Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission in developing a strategic plan for new mission congregations in this synod
• To convene a table of Mission-Centered pastors to provide vision, insight, and practical application experience for the planting and nurture of new congregations
• To coordinate the development of multicultural and ethnic-specific mission strategies
• To relate to the synod Discipleship Team
• Serve as primary pastoral contact for the congregations of the West and Southwest Conferences
   

The Rev. Cynthia K. Hileman

• Oversee the Candidacy Process for all professional rosters of this synod
• Relate to the Ministry Committee of the synod
• Relate to the Professional Leaders Conference
• Relate to the Justice Team and its various sub-committees
• Relate to a table of staff pastors of multiple-pastor congregations
• Work with the staff team to develop and implement a strategic plan for leadership development
• Preach and teach regularly in the synod
• Serve as primary pastoral contact for the congregations of the Central and Near West Conferences

Mr. Steve Homberg
Associate to the Bishop

Ph: 773-248-0021 - Extension #20
E-mail: shomberg@mcselca.org

• Relate to the ELCA Program Unit for Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission in developing a strategic plan for stewardship development in the congregations in this synod

• To convene a table of dedicated leaders in stewardship to plan and implement programs that connect congregational stewardship with increased commitment and enthusiasm for supporting synodical and churchwide partnerships

• Work with the treasurer of the synod and the Finance Committee to create an annual budget for adoption by the assembly at its June meeting

• Oversee the purchasing, accounts receivable, and accounts payable functions of the synod maintaining adequate records of all transactions to ensure conformity with GAAP standards

• Gather or prepare documents as needed for an annual financial audit of the synod

• Establish and maintain a close working relationship with outside resources for payroll
  management, insurance coverage, real estate transactions, and investment strategies

• Prepare, at the request of the treasurer, all reports necessary for clear communication with the Synod Council and the Executive Committee

Ph: 773-248-0021 - Extension #10
E-mail: skatonaking@mcselca.org

• Provide initial hospitality for all those contacting the synod office in person or by telephone
• Provide clerical support for synod staff as needed
• Information and material requests

The Rev. Raymond Legania

• To oversee the development and implementation of the African-American mission strategy

• Preach and teach regularly in congregations of the synod

• Serve as primary pastoral contact for the congregations of the South Conference

The Rev. Wayne N. Miller
Bishop

Ph: 773-248-0021 - Extension #11
E-mail: wmiller@mcselca.org

Responsibilities as outlined in the synod constitution under S8.12

• Supervise and annually review all program staff members
• Arrange for staff team development retreats at least annually
• Relate to a table of Lead Pastors of multiple-pastor congregations
• Relate to a table of pastors for congregations with 50 or fewer in average attendance
• Relate to a table of Retired Clergy
• Convene the table of Conference Deans
• Relate to the Social Ministry Organizations affiliated with this synod
• Oversee all professional misconduct cases
• Convene the annual Assembly Planning Team
• Preach and teach regularly in synod congregations

Ph: 773-248-0021 - Extension #25
E-mail: mrichardson@mcselca.org 
 

• Serve as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the bishop
• Maintain online calendar for the bishop
• Attend to all official correspondence from the bishop and to the bishop
• Oversee the maintenance of online and hard copy synod filing system
• Create a climate of courtesy and hospitality for guests visiting the synod office and for those contacting the bishop by telephone
• Serve at the behest of the Synod Secretary as an auxiliary recording secretary at all meetings of the Synod Council and the Executive Committee
• Relate to the Assembly Planning Committee to insure the orderly preparation and distribution of documents, reports, and general information, and to serve as staff liaison with hotels or other host institutions for the Synod Assembly

Ms. Dina E. Tannous
Associate Administrative Assistant

Ph: 773-248-0021 - Extension #14
E-mail: dtannous@mcselca.org 


 

• Serve as the Executive Administrative Assistant to Pr. Breimeier and Pr. Héctor Garfias

• Maintain records for professional roster, databases, and financial ledgers of the synod