Joy Mortensen-Wiebe elected bishop of ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin

​CHICAGO — The Rev. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, Kewaskum, Wis., was elected Aug. 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

Mortensen-Wiebe was elected on the third ballot, with 166 votes. The Rev. Stacie Fidlar, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock Island, Ill., received 165 votes.

The bishop-elect has served as pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Slinger, Wis., since 2018. Previously she served the following Wisconsin churches: First in Beaver Dam (2017); St. Paul in Mayville (2016-2017), Living Hope in Saukville (2014-2016), All Saints in Oshkosh (2000-2004); and Grace in Tomahawk (1992-1995). Mortensen-Wiebe also was interim director for evangelical mission in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin (2018), an associate to the bishop in the East Central Synod of Wisconsin (2004-2014) and pastor chaplain of Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh Inc. (1995-2000).

Mortensen-Wiebe received a Bachelor of Science degree from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis., in 1988 and a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., in 1992. Luther is one of seven ELCA seminaries.

Mortensen-Wiebe's installation is set for Oct. 11.

The Rev. Peter Rogness has served as interim bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin since September 2019.

Information about the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin is available at scsw-elca.org.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.5 million members in more than 9,100 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org