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Makipag-ugnayan sa amin

Salamat sa pagsumite!

Connect with a Synod Staff Member Directly

Bishop Claire S. Burkat

Bishop, Sierra Pacific Synod

Email: bishop@spselca.org

Rev. Manda Truchinski 

Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership & Strategic Organization

Email: manda@spselca.org

Rev. Dr. Dawn Roginski

Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM)

Email: dawn@spselca.org

Rev. Ron Valadez

Interim Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and First Call

Email: ronv@spselca.org

Deacon JJ Godwin

Director of Operations

Email: jj@spselca.org

Carolyn Hanrahan

Director of Finance

Email: carolyn@spselca.org

Melanie Gordon

Administrative Assistant

Email: melanie@spselca.org

Debbie Cook 

Finance Assistant Contractor

Email: debbie@spselca.org

Lance Kelly

Synod Statistician

Email: statistics@spselca.org

Property Director

Email: ​Property@spselca.org

Connect with your Conference Dean Directly

Rev. Ben Colahan 

Dean, Redwood Mountain Conference 1

Email: conference1@spselca.org

Rev. Dave Miller

Dean, Bridges Conference 2

Email: conference2@spselca.org

Rev. Dr. Gabriele Schroeder

Dean, Capitol Valley Conference 3

Email: conference3@spselca.org

Rev. Charlane Lines

Dean, Sierra Nevada Foothills Conference 4

Email: conference4@spselca.org

Rev. John Kuehner

Dean, San Francisco Peninsula Conference 5

Email: conference5@spselca.org

Rev. Cristina Beauchemin

Dean, El Camino Real Conference 6

Email: conference6@spselca.org

Rev. Dr. John Valentine

Dean, Mt. Diablo Conference 7

Email: conference7@spselca.org

Rev. Mark Price

Dean, Sierra Central Valley Conference 8

Email: conference8@spselca.org

Rev. Jodi Golden-Lund

Dean, Central San Joaquin Conference 9

Email: conference9@spselca.org

Rev. Cindy Beck

Dean, Interim Ministry

Email: interims@spselca.org

Report Misconduct

All individuals can report Clergy Misconduct directly to Barbara Keller at 773-380-2568, or email,

and/or Bishop Claire S. Burkat bishop@spselca.org.

Reporting child abuse

In the United States most states require allegations of abuse against a minor to be reported immediately to state authorities. The ELCA encourages immediately reporting to the civil authorities all instances of child abuse regardless of personal confidentiality issues. Each state has a different mandatory reporting process. You should call local law enforcement authorities or go to your state government website and find the appropriate office for reporting child abuse.

 

Reporting sexual misconduct in the ELCA

Sexual misconduct committed by congregational employees should be reported to the pastor, council president, or other congregational officer. Congregations are encouraged to have policies in place for addressing allegations against church staff and to respond with compassion and care to anyone reporting abuse by clergy or lay leaders.

Synods of this church usually have responsibility for addressing allegations of clergy sexual abuse, administering appropriate discipline, and responding to those who have been harmed. Procedures and policies in place in the synods of this church provide for compassionate and resolute response to those wounded by clergy sexual misconduct, and appropriate discipline for those who offend.

What is misconduct?

Sexual misconduct: Federal and state laws make distinctions among various types of sexual misconduct, such as “sexual harassment,” “sexual abuse,” and “sexual assault.” Similarly, the governing documents of the ELCA define what types of sexual misconduct can result in a pastor or other rostered person facing ecclesiastical discipline. These distinctions should not concern a person who is troubled about the sexual conduct of a pastor or rostered layperson. This church is concerned about all types of sexual misconduct by these individuals, regardless of whether or how the misconduct is characterized by the law or by the governing documents of the ELCA.

Any time a minister uses his or her position in the church for personal sexual gratification it is a misuse of the pastoral office and a betrayal of the nature of the pastoral relationship. Any sexual misconduct committed by a rostered church leader should be reported to the appropriate synod, including, but not limited to, any sexual contact between the rostered person and a congregant, counselee, employee or volunteer. It should be noted that the synod may not be able to assume primary responsibility for addressing all allegations of sexual misconduct. For example, law enforcement authorities would have responsibility for investigating and addressing criminal allegations, while congregations would have to deal with accusations of sexual harassment by the congregation's employees. Nevertheless, the appropriate synod office should be notified of all cases of inappropriate sexual behavior in the congregation.

Any suspected sexual contact with a minor must be reported to the appropriate governmental agency as required by state laws concerning reporting of child abuse.

You can find more Resources here.

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