2025 Nominations & Elections

2025 MNYS Annual Assembly: Nominations & Elections

Nominees are listed in the order their submissions were received.

BALLOT 1: ELCA Church Council | Lay Man (2)

John Litke

St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Huntington Station

Church Leadership

Synod Council, Synod Vice President, Synod Treasurer

Community Leadership

Science fair Judge, Bookkeeping training for Congregations.

Statement

I have service experience in multiple congregations, denominations, and national and synodical task forces and committees. My training is in both science and theology.

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Mark Nocero

Calvary Lutheran Church, Hauppauge

Church Leadership

Strategic Planning Leader for Lutheran Churches, Synod Diaconate Intern, Past Council President, St. Andrew's, Smithtown.

Community Leadership

Served for 9 years as School Superintendent. Now retired.

Statement

I am a diaconal intern who guides churches in strategic planning and Spirit-led renewal, offering experience that would enrich the Churchwide Council’s mission and leadership.

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Roberto Lara Aranda

St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Manhattan

Church Leadership

Member of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC – ELCA); Board Trustee of the ELCA Foundation; President of the Latino Ministries Association of the ELCA

Community Leadership

Choreographer in Residence, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company (NYC); Volunteer Translator, New Sanctuary Coalition of New York; Chair, Antiracism Committee, Metropolitan New York Synod–ELCA

Statement

Latino, immigrant, and queer lay leader committed to a just, inclusive church—already serving this mission nationally with vision rooted in the Gospel.

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Christopher Vergara

St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Manhattan

Church Leadership

Metro NY Synod, Vice-president; Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, board member

Community Leadership

Accountability Committee, Member, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance; Queer Faculty Affinity Space, Co-Founder, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance; Queer Student Affinity Space, Co-Founder

Statement

Rooted in faith and community, I bring years of synod leadership, cultural insight, and a deep commitment to equity as we envision the church of the future together.

BALLOT 2: MNYS Consultation Committee | Two -Year Unexpired Term (2021-2027) | Clergy Female (1)

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The Rev. Dr. Elsa Marty

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rocky Point

Church Leadership

I previously served as Pastor at St. Lydia's Dinner Church in Brooklyn (2018-2019). I provided pulpit supply 2020-2023 in MNYS while on leave from call to complete my doctorate.

Community Leadership

Chair of the North Shore Clericus ecumenical group; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Religion at Hofstra University.

Statement

I have studied conflict transformation, I care deeply about the health and well-being of our congregations, and I would be honored to serve on the consultation committee.

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The Rev. Lisa Stephens

First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Poughkeepsie

Church Leadership

Pastor; Served as an Upstate New York Synod member of the team to mediate conflicts in congregations

Community Leadership

Past Chair of the Town of Poughkeepsie Ethics Board; Chair of the Northeast Association of Advisors for the Health Professions Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Statement

I feel it is important to be involved in the life of the greater synod and national church. I believe this committee would be a good use of my skills and gifts.

BALLOT 3: MNYS Consultation Committee | Four-Year Unexpired Term (2023-2029) | Clergy Female (1)

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The Rev. Sonja Maclary

Christ’s Lutheran, Woodstock

Church Leadership

Consultation Committee, Conference Dean, Synod Council

Community Leadership

Daily Bread Meal Program Steering Group

Statement

I am trained as an Interim Minister, Healthy Congregations, and in managing conflict. I also bring contextual (rural) and geographical diversity to this position.

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The Rev. Rebekah V. Swanson

Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Port Washington

Church Leadership

Interim Assistant to the Bishop (British Columbia Synod, ELCIC 2022-2023), Program Committee for Leadership and Ministry (National church appointment, ELCIC, 2019-2023), Committee for Theological Education 2019-2023 (British Columbia Synod, ELCIC)

Community Leadership

Port Washington Interfaith Clergy Group (Member), Greater Middletown Interfaith Coalition (Former member), Covenant House Volunteer Spiritual Director (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 2019-2023).

Statement

Dedicated to fostering environments of care and trust, I bring a listening heart, thoughtful discernment, and a commitment to collaborative, faithful service.

BALLOT 4: MNYS Discipline Committee | Two-Year Unexpired Term (2021-2027) | Lay Male (1)

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Robert Lewis

Calvary Lutheran Church, Hauppauge

Church Leadership

Deacon of Visitation, Deacon of Worship, Music & Worship committee

Community Leadership

None currently

Statement

I would be honored to serve in this capacity. It is my firm belief that conflicts can be resolved when grace is shown.

BALLOT 5: MNYS Discipline Committee | Two-Year Unexpired Term (2021-2027) | Clergy Female (1)

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The Rev. Abby Ferjak

Grace Lutheran, Scarsdale

Church Leadership

Pastor, Grace Lutheran, Scarsdale

Community Leadership

Tuckahoe Pride Planning Committee, Eastchester Cultural Committee

Statement

The work of the Committee on Discipline is sacred and important to the life of the greater church. It would be an honor and a privilege to serve the church in this way.

BALLOT 6: MNYS Discipline Committee | Two-Year Unexpired Term (2021-2027) | Clergy Male (1)

The Rev. John Flack

Our Saviour's Atonement Lutheran Church

Church Leadership

I was Dean for a bit

Community Leadership

Muscota Class Parent

Statement

I hope that I can help the committee navigate the difficult problems it faces.

BALLOT 7: MNYS Discipline Committee | Three-Year Unexpired Term (2022-2028) | Lay Male (1)

George Guinan

St. Andrew's, West Hempstead

Church Leadership

Currently Chairperson of Synod Diaconate

Community Leadership

Peer counselor for FDNY Counseling Services Unit

Statement

Serving people in time of need has been my lifelong calling. Working now in retirement, for our church and for our Synod Deacons has been a rewarding and amazing experience.

BALLOT 8: MNYS Discipline Committee | Three-Year Unexpired Term (2022-2028) | Clergy Female (1)

The Rev. Lena Warren

St. Peter's, Port Jervis

Church Leadership

Pastor, Good Shepherd, Pearl River; Pastor, Immanuel and Salem Lutheran, Naugatuck, CT (New England Synod)

Community Leadership

Teaching "Healthy Congregations" in Synodical and Churchwide "Growing in Faith" program; Rockland Interfaith Social Action clergy member; Naugatuck Youth and Family Services, Board member

Statement

If called to serve, I will do my best to offer curiosity, a desire for healing justice, and conflict resolution skills for the hopeful work and witness of beloved community.

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The Rev. Dr. Martha Cruz

First Lutheran Church, Throggs Neck

Church Leadership

Currently interim at First Lutheran Church of Throggs Neck and coverage pastor at Saint Barnabas Church, Howard Beach; Interim Ministry Coordinator, MNYS

Community Leadership

Participant and leader in summer interfaith study group; spiritual director

Statement

Throughout my years of ministry, I have sought to create a spirit of reconciliation and healing rooted in a core belief that God calls us to lives of mercy, grace, and love.

BALLOT 9: MNYS Discipline Committee | Three-Year Unexpired Term (2022-2028) | Clergy Male (1)

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The Rev. Lorie B. Tatum

Grace Lutheran Church, Malverne

Church Leadership
Pastor

Community Leadership

Community Organizer

Statement

Christ centered, Spirit filled clergy leader who has experience in faith rooted and community based organizing, civic engagement and policy advocacy.

BALLOT 10: Churchwide Assembly | Young Adult (18-30) (1)

No nominations submitted.

BALLOT 11: MNYS Synod Council | Four-Year Term (2025-2029) | Young Adult (1)

No nominations submitted.

BALLOT 12: MNYS Synod Council | Two-Year Term (2025-2027) | Youth (1)

No nominations submitted.

BALLOT 13: MNYS Consultation Committee | Two -Year Unexpired Term (2021-2027) | Lay Female (1)

No nominations submitted.

BALLOT 15: MNYS Consultation Committee | Four-Year Unexpired Term (2023-2029) | Lay Female (1)

No nominations submitted.