Plan ahead for the 2026 Gathering in Des Moines, Iowa!

Martha Ambarangu is a Pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and a New Testament PhD Candidate at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. An ELCA Global Mission International Leaders Program scholar, she is also a member of African Women Leaders Network in the Young Women Leaders Pillar of the United Nations and the National Director of the Circle of Concerned Women Theologians in Tanzania. Ambarangu is a wife, mother of two smart and beautiful girls, Michelle and Millicent, and the author of Heri and Nyamandi’s Summer, a children’s book.

Elyssa Salinas-Lazarski, Ph.D., MDiv., is Adjunct Faculty in Theology and Honors at Dominican University. She is a recent doctoral graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Her research focuses on theology of the body and sex, integrating her Lutheran faith, and her experience as a Mexican-American woman. Salinas-Lazarski is a graduate of Valparaiso University, where she studied theatre, and holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Alongside her studies, she is a poet, hobby baker, and an active member of Grace Lutheran Church which she has been attending since baptism. Salinas-Lazarski’s poetry and blog posts can be found at Bold Café; The Mudroom; Open Plaza by the Hispanic Theological Initiative; and We Talk, We Listen. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband, two children, and two cats.

Elise Seyfried is the author of five collections of humorous spiritual essays. Her essays have also appeared in publications including Gather, Living Lutheran, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Next Avenue, HuffPost, Insider, and The Independent. Elise has twice produced This is My Brave (live performances featuring people with mental illness telling their stories), and she is a “bipolar” book in The Human Library (an international program whose motto is “un-judge someone.”). Elise often speaks to groups on the subject of women’s mental health. She is the mom of five and grandma of three, and has retired after 20 years as Spiritual Formation Director at Christ’s Lutheran Church in Oreland, Pa.

Dr. Mary J. Streufert serves as ELCA Director for Gender Justice and Women’s Empowerment. With 20 years of experience in this role, she regularly collaborates with others throughout the ELCA, the Lutheran World Federation, and global scholars. She has published extensively as a feminist Lutheran theologian, including three books with Fortress Press:  Transformative Lutheran Theologies: Feminist, Womanist, and Mujerista Perspectives (editor, 2010); Language for God: A Lutheran Perspective (2022); and with Dr. Mary Elise Lowe, ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Faith, Sexism, and Justice (2025).

Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy, Mato Wašté Winyan [Good Bear Woman], is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation. She is the first Native Woman Theologian with a Ph.D. in the ELCA. Her work focuses on systemic theology, with a unique approach to Lakota Spirituality and how it can inform Christianity and instill healing. She is an adjunct professor at various institutions, director for MYLE (the ELCA’s Multicultural Youth Leadership Event), on the Board of Directors for the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, as Director of Public Ministry at Nativity Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, and Convenor of the Twin Cities Interfaith Movement Chaplains.

The Rev. Dr. Susan Rose founded Diakonos Solutions in 2021 with a passion for advocating for women in ministry. Diakonos Solutions supports newly ordained women by providing gently used stoles through the Stories Behind the Stoles ministry initiative. As a PC (USA) minister for 16 years, Susan brings rich credentials to her work: an MDiv from Memphis Theological Seminary, a DMin in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from Portland Seminary, certification as a Spiritual Director, and certification in Religious Fundraising from the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving. Susan lives in Florida with her husband, Dave Buck, and their two tabby cats and their Goldendoodle Grace.

The Rev. Amy Current has served the Southeastern Iowa Synod in the office of bishop since 2020. She is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN (B.A.) and Wartburg Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Prior to her role as bishop, Current served as vice president for admissions and student services at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Born and raised in North Dakota, Bishop Current was honored to serve as pastor of three Lutheran churches there. Bishop Current is married to Rev. Dr. Samuel Giere. They have two adult children.

The Rev. Minna Bothwell serves Capitol Hill Lutheran Church in the East Village of Des Moines, Iowa. Much of her ministry centers around creating authentic relationships and advocacy for Iowans. When not working she loves spending time with her husband Nat and daughter Ada. In the summer she loves to garden and paint.