Synod Assembly

Eric D. Barreto is Weyerhaeuser Associate Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. As  an ordained Baptist minister, he has pursued scholarship for the sake of the church, and he regularly writes for and teaches in faith communities around the country. He is the author of Ethnic Negotiations: The Function of Race and Ethnicity in Acts 16 (Mohr Siebeck, 2010), the co-author of Exploring the Bible (Fortress Press, 2016), and editor of Reading Theologically (Fortress Press, 2014).

Mary Campbell is the Director for AMMPARO, the ELCA strategy to accompany migrants with protection, advocacy, representation and opportunities. ELCA AMMPARO accompanies companions in 21 programs in 17 countries in the world in countries of origin, transit, contention and destination and includes significant work in the US in congregations and synods. As a lawyer passionate about justice, her legal career has involved work in international human rights and civil, criminal defense and immigration cases in the United State and in El Salvador where she was an ELCA missionary for 5 years in the Department of Human Rights of the Iglesia Luterana Salvadorena.

Deacon Kristen Barnes has served as a board certified chaplain in hospital and hospice settings. She is actively involved at St. John, Hoernerstown and Shells, Grantville and supplies regularly throughout the synod.

The Rev. Andrew Berdahl was born in Allentown, PA and attended Muhlenberg College. In 2017, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and religion studies (dual major). Shortly before graduating, Andrew enlisted in the PA Army National Guard where he served from 2016-2024 in the Chaplain Corps and reached the rank of Captain. He graduated United Lutheran Seminary with his Master’s of Divinity in 2021 and began parish ministry in Newville, PA in 2020. In October of 2021, he was called to Advent Lutheran Church to serve as the Associate Pastor. He began his ministry at Advent in November of that same year. He was elected Secretary of the York Conference in June 2024 and subsequently was elected Dean when a vacancy in the position occurred in 2025. In November of 2024, Andrew married his wife, Alexa. Andrew believes in the radical grace and mercy of God. It his hope and belief that the church is the vehicle for sharing this love.

Pastor Libby Baker-Mikesell serves as Parliamentarian for the Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly and as Pastor of Word and Sacrament at St. James Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Libby’s passion for parliamentary procedure began in high school through her involvement with the National FFA Association, where she competed at the national level in Parliamentary Procedure. She is a Certified Parliamentarian with the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE) and has provided parliamentary consulting services to PAAE as well as a variety of church organizations and community groups.

Libby is committed to helping organizations run their meetings effectively and efficiently and takes pride in making parliamentary procedure accessible and approachable for everyone.

Kimberly Todd will be ordained into the Office of Word and Sacrament Ministry during a Service of Holy Communion with the Rite of Ordination on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 West Market Street, York, during worship at the 2026 Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly. Rostered ministers are invited to vest and process. The color for the day is red. Kimberly Todd has been called to serve as pastor of Friedens Lutheran Church, Myerstown, PA.

We ask that rostered ministers planning on vesting and processing let us know their intent by filling out the form here.

Many Streams, One Body in Christ 

As we gather for Synod Assembly under the theme Confluence in Christ, we invite you to bring a small vial of water from a place near you: a stream, river, or lake. This water represents your community, your context, and the places where God is already at work in your life and ministry. You will be invited to pour your water into a shared baptismal bowl. As these waters flow together, we will witness a visible sign of our unity in Christ – many places, many stories, becoming one.

Remembering Those Who Serve 

As part of our shared life together in Christ, we also want to hold in prayer those who serve. We invite you to bring a photo of someone you know who is serving in the U.S. military, active duty or reserve. This may be a family member, friend, or member of your congregation. These photos will be placed on a prayer wall, creating a visible space of remembrance, gratitude, and prayer.