2026 Conference of Presidents

The Rev. Carla Christopher (she/they) is a social worker specializing in trauma-informed and peacebuilding practice centering marginalized groups turned community organizer turned diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI/B) trainer turned ELCA Pastor. Also a certified redeveloper and congregational vitality specialist, Carla currently serves as Assistant to the Bishop for Justice Ministries for DE-MD Synod and pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Frankford, DE. A frequent speaker and consultant, Carla co-founded Pride and the Rainbow Rose LGBTQIA+ Resource Center in York, PA. They have supported more than a dozen ELCA synods, multiple national partner organizations, and teach cultural competency and trauma-informed boundaries with United Lutheran Seminary and Lutheran School for Theology at Chicago. More about Carla can be found at carlachristopher.org.

The Rev. DaMisha McFarland-Pollock (she/her) pastors two churches in Burlington, Ia.,- Bethany Lutheran and Messiah Lutheran. She is an eco-womanist theologian who seeks to name the voices in scripture that are often overlooked, misunderstood, or misrepresented so often in sermons and bible studies. She is an ELCA Coach with certifications in Creation Care and Discipleship. She believes that the youth in our churches are the church of today, not the church of the future. They should be included on councils, committees, serving teams, and the life of the church in general. DaMisha loves to read, take hikes, write poetry, and dance. A belief that we are all God’s children and should be treated accordingly guides her daily interactions with herself and those she encounters.