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Rev. Craig A. Miller

Bishop

The Rev. Craig A. Miller began his six-year term as the fourth bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod on September 1, 2022. Bishop Miller served as Assistant to the Bishop…

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Rev. Stina Schaeffer

Assistant to the Bishop for Mobility and Transition

Pastor Stina Schaeffer is excited to serve as the new Assistant to the Bishop for Mobility and Transition. She will work with congregations and pastors, meeting with councils, call committees…

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Rev. Karla Leiby

Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Formation

The Rev. Karla Leiby is the pastor at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northumberland, PA.  Karla graduated from United Lutheran Seminary in May of 2021 with a Master of…

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Sue Ellen Spotts

Director of Evangelical Mission

Sue Ellen Spotts began her work in November 2023 as the Director for Evangelical Mission in our synod. This is a part-time position. She will also work part-time doing the…

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Brenda Krouse

Administrative Assistant to the Bishop

Brenda K. Krouse started her ministry with the synod as a volunteer in 1989 and became a part-time staff person in 2000. In January 2012, she began serving as Office…

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Chad Hershberger

Director of Communications

Chad Hershberger serves as the part-time Director of Communications. He works with the synod staff on communications pieces, including: the monthly print newsletter, USS Ark; the email newsletter, Headwaters; and…

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Linda Aurand

Bookkeeper

Linda Aurand is no stranger to synod work. She worked for the synod from 1991-1996 in a shared arrangement with Camp Mount Luther. From 1996 to 2019, she served as…

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Marianne Brock

ELCA Gift Planner

Sister Marianne Brock is our Regional ELCA Gift Planner, supported by the synod. Most recently she served a dual role as the Associate Executive Director of the Lutheran Camping Corporation…

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Tara Lynn

Portico Regional Representative

Many congregations use Portico Benefit Services for their benefit needs of the congregation.  Our Regional Representative is Pastor Tara Lynn. While the Portico Customer Care Center (800.352.2628) remains the primary…

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The synod is divided into six geographical conferences.  The conference elects a dean who serves as deployed synod staff, working with congregations in transition, convening regular clergy conference meetings, and communicating with those pastors. 

  • Buffalo Valley Conference Dean Gary Schaeffer
  • Juniata Valley Conference Dean Carla Volland
  • Middle Creek Conference Dean Robert Doll
  • North Branch Conference Dean Joel Zeiders
  • Tulpehocken Conference Dean Sarah Hershberger
  • West Branch Conference Dean Karl Runser
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