DUNKIN ELECTED BISHOP IN WEST VIRGINIA-WESTERN MARYLAND
The Rev. Ralph W. Dunkin, 46, was elected to a six-year term as bishop of the West
Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on June 7. He
received 93 votes to 33 votes cast for the Rev. Phillip C. Huber on the third ballot during the
synod's annual assembly in Ripley, W.Va. Others in consideration on the third ballot were the
Rev. Louise A. Knotts, Grantsville, Md., the Rev. Charles W. Aurand, Huntington, W.Va., and
the Rev. Cecil D. Bradfield, Bridgewater, Va. There were 21 names on the nominating ballot.
Dunkin's name was submitted 71 times. He is completing a four-year term as the synod's
secretary. Dunkin has been pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wheeling, W.Va,
since 1978. He is a graduate of Thiel College, Greenville, Pa., and Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa. Dunkin was ordained in 1976 and served as pastor of The Church
of the Covenant, Grafton, W.Va., 1976-78. He succeeds Bishop L. Alexander Black, who will
retire Sept. 1. Dunkin plans to reside in Wheeling; the synod office is in Fairmont, W.Va. Huber
is formerly coordinator of the ELCA's Mid-Atlantic Region and is now a doctoral candidate. He
is also serving St. John Lutheran Church, Thurmont, Md., and the Appalachian Ministries
Educational Resources Center in Berea, Ky.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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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 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 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
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
