On Saturday, June 10, the North Carolina Synod celebrated the graduation and commissioning of the first SAM (Synod Authorized Ministers) class at Haven, Salisbury. The road has been long for these folks, many of whom began by completing the synod’s lay preaching program and then applying to continue in the SAM program. Bishop Tim Smith recently wrote a reflection about this newly-established program of the synod—Advanced Lay Ministries—“What Is a SAM?” His conclusion? “SAMs are exceedingly faithful people who see ministerial needs, usually beyond their own congregation, and are gifted and called to help in this specific ministerial way.”

Special thanks to Pastor Pam Northrop and her team for leading this cohort over the last 18 months.

Congratulations to these SAM graduates—some of who are currently serving as SAMs and others who will be SAM candidates until a need arises and they are appointed to serve.

Brad Alexander 
Home Congregation: Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Gastonia
Serving: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Cherryville

Karyn Dalton
Home Congregation: Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church, Concord

Wayne Giese
Home Congregation: Calvary Lutheran Church, Morganton

Susan Harris
Home Congregation: Salem Lutheran Church, Lincolnton

Mark Howell
Home Congregation: Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Hickory

Rebecca Moretz
Home Congregation: First Lutheran Church, Lexington

Deb Rosenberg
Home Congregation: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Lumberton
Serving: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Lumberton

Kathe Schwab
Home Congregation: Christ the King, Cary

Ted Scott
Home Congregation: St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Andrews

Ned Thigpen
Home Congregation: Macedonia Lutheran Church, Burlington
Serving: Grace Lutheran Church, Liberty