CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Ralph W. Dunkin, 52, was re-elected to a six-year term as bishop of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), at the synod assembly at Potomoc State College, Keyser, W.Va.
Dunkin has served as bishop of the synod since 1997. He was re-elected on the first ballot. Dunkin received 105 votes of the 120 ballots cast. The Rev. David A. Twedt, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Benwood, W.Va., and Trinity Lutheran Church, Wheeling, W.Va., and the Rev. Richard G. Mahan, St. Timothy Lutheran Church, South Charleston, W.Va., each received three votes.
Before becoming bishop, Dunkin served as pastor at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheeling, W. Va., and pastor at the Church of the Covenant, Grafton, W.Va.
Dunkin was born in Pittsburgh. In 1972 he received a bachelor of arts degree in history from Thiel College, Greenville, Pa., and later received a master of divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG), Pa. Thiel College is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities; LTSG is one of eight ELCA seminaries.
Dunkin and his wife, Teresa, currently reside in Wheeling, W.Va. They have two grown sons, Russell and Eric.
The ELCA West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod has 15,448 baptized members in 62 congregations. The synod office is in Fairmont, W.Va.
-- -- --
*Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. This summer she is an intern with ELCA News and Media Production.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
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
