Synod Staff
About > Synod Staff
The Reverend Anne Edison-Albright
Bishop of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin—ELCA
The Rev. Anne Edison-Albright serves as bishop of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin. She previously served as Director of College Ministries and College Pastor at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and as pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. She earned a BA in English and a BA in journalism from Michigan State University; completed her MDiv at Yale Divinity School, and a year of Lutheran formation at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary).
Bishop Anne has been a regular writer and curriculum editor for Augsburg Fortress and Sparkhouse since 2008. Her current ministry has been enriched by experience teaching high school ESL and English; her time as a short term missionary in China and Slovakia; and a year of residency as a hospital chaplain. Growing up connected to the ELCA churchwide expression through her parents–Paul and Sue Edison-Swift, and their work in communication and IT for the churchwide organization–formed Bishop Anne’s active faith and lived experience of the wide and radically inclusive Body of Christ.
The Edison-Albright Family—Anne, Sean, Walter and Sally—live in Appleton, Wisconsin and are members of Christ the King in Combined Locks and Christus in Greenville. The Edison-Albrights love Star Trek, Star Wars, baking and gardening together, and sharing their favorite new music and podcasts.
Email: bishopanne@ecsw.org
Phone: (920) 903-9679 (call or text) or (920) 734-5381 (Support with scheduling)
Central Office: First English, Appleton (North Site)
Please contact Bishop Anne or Director for Administration and Operations Jeanne Jerks to schedule an appointment.
The Reverand Nate Gauerke
Associate to the Bishop, Director for Transitions
Email: nate.gauerke@ecsw.org
Phone: (920) 734-5381
Central Office:
Pastor Nate Gauerke accepted the call to serve as Associate to the Bishop, Director for Transitions for the East Central Synod of Wisconsin in 2025. This role accompanies congregations, ministry contexts, rostered leaders, and other leaders through seasons of leadership transition, focusing on mobility and interim ministry as opportunities for developing and equipping healthy leaders. In all aspects of ministry, the Associate to the Bishop witnesses to the Gospel and embodies God’s liberating mission for the church in the world.
With deep roots in this synod, Pastor Nate is a familiar face to many: raised in faith by Trinity in Waupaca, and having served previously at Zion in Appleton, Hope in Wautoma, and Christ the King in Combined Locks. Through his years of ministry he has served on committees, synod council, the executive team, and as synod secretary, gaining deep knowledge of the ECSW.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse he became a cartographer and GIS specialist, making maps. God revealed more gifts in that vocation and began to map new directions that led him to Wartburg Theological Seminary. He is a spouse to Sara and dad to Esther and Aryn, both in college. Spending time with family is important, as is being outdoors—including off-roading with their Jeep. Seriously, it’s a Jeep thing!
Talk to Pastor Nate about: Mobility Process, Calling a new pastor, First call support
The Reverend Dara Clifford
Associate to the Bishop, Director for Evangelical Mission
Pastor Dara Clifford was called by the churchwide organization and the East Central Synod of Wisconsin in October 2022. Prior to serving as Associate to the Bishop, Director for Evangelical Mission, Pastor Dara served as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Innovation at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Combined Locks, WI. Pastor Dara brings a wealth of experience to her role as DEM. Prior to ordination, she served as a lay leader who collected a variety of experiences, including mission development, education, innovation, and work with new and emerging ministries. She has built deep and abiding relationships through many years in lay ministry across the synod at Peace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, Christus Lutheran Church in Greenville, and as Site Director at Imago Dei Village for Crossways Camping Ministries in Clintonville.
A graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA, Pastor Dara’s other vocations include that of spouse and parent. Together they love to travel and build things with a variety of materials whether they be sticks, magnatiles, wood planks, or blankets. Pastor Dara has also taken up horseback riding, and loves to talk horses with whoever she can!
Email: dara.clifford@ecsw.org
Phone: (920) 903-9676 (call or text) or (920) 734-5381 (for scheduling)
Central Office: Christus, Greenville
Talk to Pastor Dara about: Discerning a call to ministry, Candidacy for new leaders, Dreaming up and trying new things in ministry
The Reverend Jenn Pockat
Associate to the Bishop, Director for Relationships and Resources
Pastor Jenn Pockat (pronounced, pa-KOYT) was called by the East Central Synod of Wisconsin Council to serve as Associate to the Bishop in April of 2021. Pastor Jenn works to curate resources for the synod: everything from stewardship to policy and practical aspects of ministry. She also tends to our communal life: convening cohorts, providing one on one care or consultation. From 2012 - 2021, Pastor Jenn served Saint Andrew in Wausau, first as associate and then, starting in 2019, as lead pastor. She is a graduate of Luther College and Wartburg Seminary and has served as treasurer on the board of Crossways Camping Ministries and is the staff liaison for the ECSW lay school. Pastor Jenn is married to Don and lives on a hobby farm in Caroline, in rural Shawano County. She loves spending time with her cats and working in the garden.
Email: jenn.pockat@ecsw.org
Phone: (920) 903-9678 (call or text) or (920) 734-5381 (for scheduling)
Central Office: Imago Dei Village, Clintonville
Talk to Pastor Jenn about: Stewardship, Policy Development, Governance and Ministry, Continuing Education, or for one on one support and consultation.
Jeanne Jerks
Associate to the Bishop, Director for Administration and Operations
Called to serve in July of 2019, Jeanne provides administrative support and connects people to the details of our synod life through coordinating events, record keeping, office management, and hospitality. Coming to the synod with a wealth of experience in administrative work and deep faith in the mission of the gospel, Jeanne has worked in a variety of fields to provide leadership. Jeanne is married to Paul and they live in Suamico, They enjoy spending time with their adult children, fishing, and home projects.
Email: jeanne.jerks@ecsw.org
Phone: (920) 734-5381 or (920) 841-7328 (call or text)
Talk to Jeanne about: Synod Assembly, Fall Conference, Continuing Education Events and Trainings, Database management and reports, Maintenance of Synodical Records, Reports and Roster, Administrative support for synod council
Nancy Salzwedel
Financial Administrator
Called to serve in November of 2017, Nancy provides administrative financial support to the Bishop and oversees administration of synod finances, insurance, contracts, coordination of payroll and personnel records. She provides staff support for financial aspects of ministry and assists with budgeting and tracking mission support and the synod’s endowment fund, as well as coordinating the annual audit with an outside CPA firm. Nancy is married to Dave and she enjoys spending time with her married adult children and her seven energetic grandchildren. She loves quilting, yoga, and cooking and is a member of First United Methodist Church in Appleton.
Email: nancy.salzwedel@ecsw.org
Phone: (920) 903-9675 (call or text)
Talk to Nancy about: Mission Support, Congregation Financial Questions, Endowment Funds
additional SUPPORT staff
of the ECSW Synod
Rev. Jennifer Hoffman
ECSW Lay School Director
Email: layschool@ecsw.org
Talk to Jennifer about: Lay Education, Leadership Development, Adult Education Programs, and Church Training Initiatives
DR. Kartika Putri
Synod Worship Coordinator
Email: kartika.putri@ecsw.org
Talk to Kartika about: Worship Planning, Liturgy, Music, and Coordinating Worship Events for Synod
JENS BRINGSJORD
Synod Design Coordinator
Email: jens.bringsjord@ecsw.org
Talk to Jens about: Brand Identity, Communications, Graphic Design, User Experience, AI, and Creative Thinking