CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Anel G. "Gib" Fjellman, 82, bishop of the Pacific Northwest Synod of the former Lutheran Church in America (LCA) from 1962 to 1983, died Jan. 20 at a Seattle hospital from complications of pneumonia. Prior to becoming bishop, Fjellman served six years as regional director of American Missions for the former Augustana Lutheran Church.
In his mission work with the Augustana Lutheran Church, Fjellman assisted new congregations in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
In 1988 the LCA, The American Lutheran Church and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Fjellman was a retired ELCA pastor.
He remained active in the Lutheran church following his service as bishop. Fjellman was chair of the LCA's Division for Professional leadership, an ELCA world mission interpreter, director of continuing education at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., and a member of the ELCA Appeals Committee.
Pacific Lutheran is one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA.
Fjellman served as interim president at several church institutions, including Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, (now Luther Seminary) St. Paul, Minn.; Lutheran Bible Institute, Issaquah, Wash.; and Trinity Lutheran Theological Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.
He organized "Pacific Northwest Lutheran History Days" held twice
annually since 1992.
Fjellman, born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, attended Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., from 1938 to 1942. He completed his seminary education at Augustana Lutheran Seminary, Rock Island, in 1945. Following his ordination in Moline, Ill., Fjellman served congregations in Sun Valley, Calif., and Duluth, Minn.
Fjellman is survived by his wife, Cecilia; daughter, Ruth; son, Jon; sister, Burnice; brother, Carl; and three grandchildren. He was a member of Magnolia Lutheran Church, Seattle.
Memorial services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 29 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Seattle. Memorial gifts may be given to the Millionair Club Charity, Seattle, or to the scholarship fund of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif.
[*Information for this story was supplied by Donene V. Blair, executive
assistant, ELCA Northwest Washington Synod, Seattle.]
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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.
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Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
