Getting to know the Synod staff...

Bishop Gregory Pile
Pastoral Oversight and Care, Congregational Transition, Conference of Deans, Reconciliation, Outreach, Evangelism, Constitution and Bylaws Committee, Synod Outreach, Global Missions and Partners, Finance

Rev. Lynn Miller
Candidacy, Pastoral Care, Leadership, Congregational Transition, Lay Worship Leaders, Reauthorization Committee, Discerning Your Discipleship (DYD)

Rev. Timothy H. Knauss
Assistant to the Bishop, Director of Evangelical Mission (Deployed Staff ELCA-Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission), Outreach Committee, Revitalization Team, Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Team, Evangelism, Global Ministry Committee

Michelle Bossler
Office Manager, Administration, Communications

Synod Committees & Teams

Congregational Ministries Committee: deals with the many facets of ministry in congregations including: learning, evangelism, worship, stewardship, social ministry, and children, youth, and family ministry.

Leadership Committee: deals with support for rostered and lay ministers.

Synod Outreach Committee: deals with ministries which relate to the synod, such as partner ministries, Global Missions, ecumenical relations, and Mid-Atlantic Region 8.

Finance Committee: has responsibility for developing and administering an annual program proposal (budget).

Candidacy Committee: provides support for individuals in the synod who are studying to be pastors, associates in ministry, diaconal ministers and deaconesses.

Reconciliation Team: assist congregations moving from conflict to reconciliation.

Revitalization Team: assist congregations to focus their ministry.

Transition Team: assist congregations in times of pastoral or staff vacancy.

What is the Allegheny Synod?

The root words of synod basically mean "on the road together". A synod is a grouping of congregations who collectively do the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are 65 synods in the ELCA.

The Allegheny Synod is a grouping of 130 congregations with more than 44,000 total baptized members, whose mission is to inspire, encourage, and support those churches.

The Allegheny Synod consists of seven counties in central Pennsylvania which are: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon, and Somerset. The Allegheny Synod is also made up of eight conferences, or groups of congregations, cooperating to do ministry.


Synod Organization & Officers

Synod Assembly: the highest legislative authority of the synod.
Synod Council: serves as the synod's board of directors between annual assemblies.

Bishop: Rev. Gregory R. Pile
Vice President: Sara (Sally) Williams
Secretary: Robert E. Thomas
Treasurer: Spence Garvin

Where We're At

Our churches are located in the Central Pennsylvania. Click here to locate a church near you.

Allegheny Synod, ELCA

701 Quail Ave.
Altoona, PA 16602

Phone: 814.942.1042
Fax: 814.941.9259

Email: alleghenysynod@atlanticbbn.net

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00a-12:00p, 1:00p-4:00p