News

Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will gather for the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, July 28–Aug. 2 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz. Meeting under the theme “For the Life of the World,” the assembly will participate in plenary discussions to make decisions about the work of this church. They will also spend time in worship and engage in various ways of theological reflection.

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Bishop Eaton responds to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, calling the scope of the bill "generation-defining and life-altering for many, with provisions that will harm the well-being of local communities and the lives of many individuals for decades to come."

The Rev. Kristen Papson, Erie, Pa., was elected June 14 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 13-14 at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa.

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The Rev. Scott A. Dalen, Underwood, Iowa, was elected June 14 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 13-14 at the Nativity Parish Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

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The Rev. Keith A. Marshall, Enumclaw, Wash., was elected on June 14 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 13-14 at the Olson Auditorium at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash.

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The Rev. Melissa L. Stoller, Pittsburgh, was elected on June 13 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 12-14 at La Roche University in Pittsburgh.

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The Rev. Stephen R. Herr, Gettysburg, Pa., was elected June 7 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 5-7 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in York, Pa.

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The Rev. Donna J. Simon, Kansas City, Mo., was elected June 7 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 5-7 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Olathe, Kan.

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The Rev. Philip C. Hirsch, Chicago, was elected June 7 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Metropolitan, D.C., Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 6-7 at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Convention Center in Hyattsville, Md.

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The Rev. Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt was reelected June 6 to serve a third six-year term as bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 6-7 at the Africa Event Center at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio.

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The Rev. Christa M. Compton, Chatham, N.J., was elected June 7 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 5-7 at the Hilton East Brunswick Hotel & Executive Meeting Center in East Brunswick, N.J.

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The Rev. Benjamin K. Quanbeck, Billings, Mont., was elected May 31 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Montana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 30-31 at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls, Mont.

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The Rev. Constanze Hagmaier was reelected May 30 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 30-31 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, S.D.

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The Rev. Yehiel Curry was reelected May 30 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 30-31 at the Q Center in St. Charles, Ill.

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The Rev. William “Bill” Tesch was reelected May 31 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 31–June 1 at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.

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The Rev. Kevin L. Strickland was reelected May 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 29-31 at the Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center in Columbus, Ga.

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ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has responded to the Trump administration’s travel ban scheduled to go into effect June 9. The ban restricts entry into the United States from 12 countries, several of which are majority Muslim countries.

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The Rev. Emily Hartner, Charlotte, N.C., was elected May 31 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 29-31 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C.

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