CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Craig E. Johnson, bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), remains hospitalized following successful surgery March 2 to repair a brain aneurysm, said Kristi R. Mitchell, communications coordinator for the synod.
Another surgical procedure to repair a second brain aneurysm is planned for a later time, once Johnson has recovered from the first surgery, said Mitchell, in an e-mail message to pastors and lay leaders in the synod. Johnson is expected to remain hospitalized for at least a few weeks, she said.
"Three clips were inserted and the surgeons have successfully sealed the first aneurysm," Mitchell's message said. "The surrounding vessels look good. The surgery generally went as well as can be expected."
The aneurysms were found after Johnson was hospitalized Feb. 26 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis. Earlier that day, he attended a meeting at a synod congregation and after the meeting concluded, Johnson said he had lost the feeling in his legs. He went to the hospital immediately, Mitchell said.
Johnson was originally scheduled for surgery on March 1, but it was postponed one day because Johnson's sodium levels were low.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, and the Rev. Lowell G. Almen, ELCA secretary, visited Johnson, Johnson's wife, Cindy, and other family members in the past few days, and met with the synod staff. The Rev. Peter Rogness, bishop of the Saint Paul (Minn.) Area Synod, also visited Johnson, Mitchell said.
The synod is planning a "Gathering for Healing, Support and Encouragement," at 2 p.m., March 5, at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, Mitchell said.
The family has asked friends not to send flowers, make phone calls or visit Johnson. Updates on Johnson's condition are posted at http://www.mpls-synod.org and http://www.caringbridge.org/mn/craigjohnson on the Web. Messages can also be sent to Johnson and his family via the Web or to the synod office.
Johnson was elected to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod in 2001. He previously was associate vice president for church relations at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn., one of the 28 ELCA colleges and universities.
The Minneapolis Area Synod has 226,776 members in 168 congregations.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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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
