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Biographies for theELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ(arranged alphabetically)Bruce BergSouthwestern Minnesota SynodI am a Lutheran pastor on leavefrom call in Marshall, Minnesota. Iam married and have both childrenand grandchildren. My interest inthe Women and Justice: One inChrist task force is grounded in mybelief that all people are created equal: this includeswomen. While serving in the United States Navyfor almost 30 years I was part of several efforts toensure that women had equal access to everyopportunity the men of the Navy enjoyed. In my offtime I play tuba and euphonium and build in mywoodshop.Diane BrauerNebraska SynodI recently moved to McCook andam not currently employed. Priorto moving I was anadministrative assistant in theexecutive suite of a regionalhospital. I enjoy cross-stitchingand jig saw puzzles in my free time.I am a member of Our Savior’s, McCook,Nebraska. I served on the executive board ofWomen of the ELCA (2005-2011).Additionally, I served on the synodical board inMT and as synodical president Western NorthDakota. I have served as Vacation Bible Schooldirector, Lutheran Youth Organization advisor,and played in hand bell choirs in previouscongregations.My interest in women’s issues grew over theyears as I served on the board of the county’swomen’s advocacy and abuse center,encountering the daily struggle many womenface. Participation in global education andadvocacy seminars with women fromcompanion synods and in synodical eventsacross all regions of the ELCA has impressed1upon me the concerns, issues, and difficultieswomen face throughout the world. While theconcerns and problems are many, we share ourhope for the future and our faith that God walkswith us into that future.My hope is to produce a statement thatacknowledges the issues, seeks to make change,challenges the church to live out equality, andbrings hope of an equitable and just future to allGod’s people.Darren DiggsSoutheastern Pennsylvania SynodI am a Solution Designer currentlyliving in Philadelphia. I was drawnto taking part in the task forceparticularly because of my years ofexperience in the entertainmentindustry. I hope for a strong, clearand resounding statement. My hobbies includepracticing martial arts and kettleballs. My favoritemovies include Amadeus, The Raid, and Inception.I also enjoy reading—my favorite books includeInfinity, Under the Black Flag, and Things to ThinkOn.Bethany FayardSoutheastern SynodI am a member of Chhristus VictorLutheran Church in Ocean Springs,Mississippi. I enjoy spending timewith my family, reading, increasingsocial awareness of those aroundme, and traveling. The ELCA socialstatements were what attracted meto the church years ago and I feel very privileged tobe a part of this current process. Our society’sjourney out of a patriarchal society has stalled and,in some ways, backtracked recently. It is my goalthat the task force is able to create a strong and clearstatement that raises awareness of continuedinequities that women suffer in our society. I hopeLast updated: 6/14/2017
that the social statement will lead to practices andpolicies in both the Church and society at largewhich will help lead to the eradication of theseinequities.justice that God intends for all. I am thankful for thestructure of the task force that provides me with theopportunity to contribute to this on-going work forwomen on behalf of all.Fern Lee HagedornMetropolitan New York SynodLinda HerreraGrand Canyon SynodI have served on staffs and boardsand in advisory capacities withorganizations including the LutheranWorld Federation, ELCAMulticultural Ministries and GlobalMission, Lutheran Church inAmerica-Mission in North America, Lutheran WorldMinistries, ELCA Asian and Pacific IslandersAssociation, and the American Bible Society, whereI headed the New Media research program. I was afounding member of the Asian AmericanInternational Film Festival which began in NYC in1978, and is still going strong. I am a local morninghost on WJFF, an NPR affiliate station withlistenership in the Catskills (NY) and NortheasternPA. As an active member of St. Paul’sNarrowsburg, NY, I serve on the church council,teach Sunday School, play the guitar, and bake forevents. I co-chair an ad hoc coalition of Lutherancongregations in the Catskills. I am grateful for thework of this task force toward a social statement,and ask for the prayers of the people as we seek toarticulate the voice of justice for the church.I am 53 years old, born in a rural area of ElSalvador, Central America. Thirty years ago, I camewith my two kids, 5 and 2 yearsold, without documents to theUnited States, after I was denieda visa, to save myself and myfamily from the civil war thatlasted 12 years and left at least 75,000 people killed.I worked very hard to support my family in theUnited States, as well as my family in El Salvadorand, learning English and training myself to preparefor other types of jobs different from cleaninghouses, elderly care, babysitting and janitorialwork. In El Salvador I was working as a judge'sassistant in First Circuit Court, studied at theNational School of Commerce and got a diploma inBusiness Administration. I have been working withcommunity organizations, non-profits, and I havealso started and maintained my own computernetworking business in San Francisco, CA. InArizona, I dedicated myself to advocate for theundocumented community. I organized and helporganize marches, protests, lobbying, mediacampaigns and all types of community educationregarding the unjust persecution of theundocumented. I want to work towards a humane,comprehensive and just immigration reform, to stopthe separation of families and the abuse in prison,hospitals and schools that undocumented familiesare victims of in Arizona and the United States.Human rights, workers’ rights, civil rights andconstitutional rights for all working families areimportant to achieve peace with justice. I amserving a second term as a council member of FaithLutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona, where Icurrently live and continue my work as a communityorganizer.Erik HeenSoutheastern Pennsylvania SynodI was born in Montana, raised inSouth Dakota, but have lived most ofmy life on the East Coast. I teach NewTestament and Greek at The LutheranTheological Seminary at Philadelphia(LTSP), one of the 8 seminariesaffiliated with the ELCA. I am dedicated to helpingemerging leaders of an increasingly ecumenicalchurch discover their own voices in theinterpretation of Scripture. This means bringing thebest of current biblical study and theologicalreflection together. My on-going “academic” projectseeks to articulate a biblical theology that is deeplyLutheran and helpful to the ELCA of the 21stcentury. In a life that is increasingly busy and detailrich, it is important to find space to work for the2Last updated: 6/14/2017
Sister Clare Josef-MaierNorthwest Washington SynodSherry LiskeCentral/Southern Illinois SynodI am a deaconess and mental healthcounselor, currently counselingstudents at Lane CommunityCollege in Eugene, OR. Myeducation includes a M.A. inPastoral Counseling from SeattleUniversity's School of Theology and Ministry and aB.A. in Religion and Women's & Gender Studiesfrom Pacific Lutheran University. It is my greathope that this social statement be a truly propheticand incisive voice in our current cultural climate,especially in challenging systems that perpetuategender injustice and supporting the healing of thosemost deeply wounded by it. The road is hard, butfull of joys as well. In the course of this work, Imarried my partner Ryan, who is a wonderful chef,and we enjoy our beautiful Pacific Northwest homewith the recent addition of our daughter, Maeve.I was born and raised on the SouthSide of Chicago. After receivingmy BA in Sociology fromBlackburn College in 1978, Ipursued advanced degrees innursing from Rush University. Ihave been a Certified Staff Nurse at the Center forRehabilitation at Rush University Medical Centerfor over twenty years. I have taken my passion forhealthcare abroad by participating in fifteen shortterm medical missions to places such as Mexico,Panama, Nepal, and Cuba. I belong to BethlehemLutheran Church in Elgin, IL, and am also a currentChurch Council member. I also have a passion fortravel, reading, and fitness. My goal as a member ofthis task force is to be able to contribute to thedevelopment of a faith-based provocative, yetpractical, statement regarding social justice forwomen.Lori KochanksiNortheastern Pennsylvania SynodI have served the church as apastor for 11 years in a varietyof settings. Currently, I serveas an interim pastor and aspiritual director in Bethlehem,PA. I also work with theNortheastern Pennsylvania Synod’s youthorganization and spirituality team. I yearn formeaningful and creative engagement at theintersection where justice, sexism, racism and socialinequalities meet. As a member of the task force Iplan to sit in that intersection and listen to themultiple voices who speak of these issues throughword and action as we build this livingdocument. My hope is that work of the task forcewill lead us to speak from our place as LutheranChristians as we participate in the ongoing dialoguewith sisters and brothers throughout the world aboutwhat our role is in God’s kingdom.3Kit KleinhansNortheastern Iowa SynodI am a lifelong Lutheran and a fifthgeneration Lutheran pastor. Since1993, it has been my privilege toserve as a member of the religionfaculty at Wartburg College inWaverly, Iowa, where I rejoice inthe opportunity to teach and mentor young people.My scholarly work focuses on the theology ofMartin Luther and the Lutheran Confessions, whichI strive to apply meaningfully and faithfully in newcontexts. I am the editor of Together in Grace:Introducing the Lutherans, the author of Book ofFaith Lenten Journey: Seven Wonders of the Word,and a frequent contributor to Living Lutheran andChrist in Our Home. As the mother of two youngadult sons, I pray and work for a world in whichthere is equality for all persons, since we are allcreated in God’s image.Last updated: 6/14/2017
Mary LoweMinneapolis Area SynodAs a life-long Lutheran, I’m honoredto have this opportunity to helpdevelop new resources to address thedamage that gender stereotypes andinjustice inflict on women, men,families, congregations and ourbroader society. Gender injustice impacts each of usin various ways, inflicting psychological, emotional,physical or theological damage and it prevents usfrom becoming our authentic selves. I currentlyserve as Associate Professor of Religion atAugsburg College, where my research and teachingfocus on theology and the human person, images ofGod, doctrines of sin, LGBTQ and disabilitytheologies, and the theology of Martin Luther. Bornand raised in Anchorage, Alaska, I’ve lived andstudied in the Seattle area, Chicago, the Twin Cities,Berkeley, Holden Village and the southern Africancountry of Swaziland, where I did my pastoralinternship. I earned my Ph.D. in systematic theologyfrom the Graduate Theological Union, withadditional studies at Luther Seminary and PacificLutheran University. I am the author of The HumanSubject and Sin: The Anthropology of Pannenberg,Ruether and Fulkerson and have also publishedchapters in Transformative LutheranTheologies: Feminist, Womanist, and MujeristaPerspectives, and The Devil’s Whore: Reason andPhilosophy in the Lutheran Tradition.William RodriguezFlorida-Bahamas SynodI was born in PuertoRico and raised in NewYork City. I studied atCity University of NY,NY TheologicalSeminary and theFlorida StateUniversity, doing my PhD work in Philosophical &Religious Ethics. I specialize in Bioethics, War &Peace, Social/Economic/Political Theory, HumanRights and Feminist studies and teach Ethics,Christian Ethics, Theories of Justice, AfricanaPhilosophy, and Philosophy of Religion at BethuneCookman University. I co-wrote An Introduction to4Ethics, and have written a number of chapters inphilosophy and popular culture. I have written abouttopics as diverse as the ethics of human euthanasia,film theory, and religious philosophy. Presently I ama member at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church inOrlando where I work with our social justice group.I am a Hunger Specialist for ELCA World Hungerand work with my synod whenever we deal withsocial statements such as genetics and criminaljustice. I am very concerned about the political,social and religious climate that seeks to oppresswomen and roll back the achievements and stridesmade in matters of family roles, women'sreproductive freedom and equal compensation.Heber Rast, Jr.South Carolina SynodI worked as an engineer and retired as Senior ProjectManager with the Jacobs Engineering Group. Irecently retired as Executive Director of the SouthCarolina Lutheran Men in Mission, and I previouslyserved two terms as ChurchwidePresident of Lutheran Men inMission. Locally, I have servedseveral terms on our congregationcouncil, sing in the choir and chairthe stewardship committee. I amalso on the SC Synod Planting and Sustaining NewCongregations Network and serve on theEvangelism Task Force. Personally, I am deeplyconcerned about violence toward girls and women,domestic violence and persecution and lack ofopportunities for women in so many parts of theworld. I hope that the outcome of this task forceshows that our church really cares about theseissues. My wife and I like the mountains, showskiing and both serve with our local volunteer firedepartment.Last updated: 6/14/2017
Bishop John S. RothCentral/Southern IllinoisI was elected as bishop of theCentral/Southern Illinois Synod inJune 2011. Prior to that, I waspastor of Faith Lutheran Church inJacksonville, Illinois, a call Iserved for twenty-three years. Iearned my Ph.D. in New Testamentstudies from Vanderbilt University,and did a year of graduate study at the University ofTűbingen, Germany. I am the author of The Blind,the Lame, and the Poor: Character Types in LukeActs (Sheffield Academic Press). Previousemployment experience has included bussing tablesand driving a forklift. My wife, Kris, and I havebeen married for 35 years. We delight to be theparents of Maria (Drew) Snodgrass, Laura Roth, andSam Roth.Bishop Ann M. SvennungsenMinneapolis Area SynodI was elected February, 2012 as bishopof the Minneapolis Area Synod. Thishistoric vote made me the first womanto serve as bishop in any of theELCA’s six Minnesota synods. I havebeen a leader in congregations andchurch-related organizations for over 30 years. In1996, I became senior pastor of Trinity LutheranChurch in Moorhead, Minnesota, at the time thelargest ELCA congregation to be led by a femalesenior pastor. In 2003, I was named president of TheFund for Theological Education, a national,ecumenical organization devoted to raising up thenext generation of excellent and diverse ministersand scholars. From 2007 to 2010, I served aspresident of Texas Lutheran University in Seguin,Texas; most recently, I was interim college pastor atSt. Olaf College and held an appointment asResident Scholar at the Collegeville Institute forEcumenical and Cultural Research at Saint John’sUniversity. I also founded and serve as director ofThe Presidents’ Pledge Against Global Poverty—aninitiative inviting university presidents to pledge fivepercent of their annual income to end global poverty.I am married to Rev. Dr. William Russell, aReformation specialist. We are parents to Sarah5(Dan) Karlgaard, John Russell, and Mary Russell;and grandparents to John and Annika Karlgaard.Solomon TrimbleOregon SynodYouth Program CoordinatorViviane Thomas-BreitfeldTask Force Co-chairGreater Milwaukee SynodI am a pastor living inBrookfield, Wisconsin, the fourthwoman of color ordained in theLutheran Church in the UnitedStates. I am married to PastorFred Thomas-Breitfeld, who isalso an ELCA pastor. We are parents of two adultsand are blessed to have an adorable baby grandson.I have a passion for working for justice for allpeople, which I have expressed through being ananti-racist organizer with the Lutheran Church. Iardently believe in the power of God and God’spreference for those in poverty, the dispossessed,and the least.Brad WendelTask Force Co-ChairUpstate New York SynodI am a law professor at CornellUniversity specializing in legal ethicsand tort (that is, accidents and injuries)law. My graduate work is in moral,political, and legal philosophy, and Isometimes dabble in theological ethics. I amhumbled to have been asked to serve as co-chair ofthis task force, which is made up of such an amazinggroup of people. I hope this process can be open,inclusive, and healing, and that the finished productof the task force is accessible, thoughtful,informative, and rigorous. Through this group’swork, the Church can bear witness to the possibilityof genuine equality for all of God’s people. Myhome congregation is St. Luke Lutheran, a vibrantplace with ministries to the campuses of CornellUniversity and Ithaca College, as well as to theIthaca community. I recently completed service aschair of the church council and was delighted to findthat all of us were still friends at the end of eachmeeting. I am blessed to share my life with myLast updated: 6/14/2017
wife, Liz Peck, and our two children, Ben andHannah. In what spare time there is, I fly smallplanes, play drums, and enjoy cooking and eating.6Last updated: 6/14/2017
hospital. I enjoy cross-stitching and jig saw puzzles in my free time. I am a member of Our Savior's, McCook, Nebraska. I served on the executive board of Women of the ELCA (2005-2011). Additionally, I served on the synodical board in MT and as synodical president Western North Dakota. I have served as Vacation Bible School
