by Katherine Hinck*, ELCA News Service
The Rev. James A. Justman was elected to a second six-year term
as bishop of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at the synod
assembly June 9-10 in Appleton, Wis. Justman, 50, was re-elected
on the fourth ballot for bishop with 261 of 400 votes. The next
highest vote totals on the final ballot were 95 votes for the
Rev. John W. Meachen, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wausau,
Wis.; and 44 votes for the Rev. Kim L. Beckmann, Trinity Lutheran
Church, Iron River, Mich., and Bethany Lutheran Church, Amasa,
Mich. There were 28 nominees on the first or nominating ballot.
Justman's new term begins Aug. 1.
Born in Oshkosh, Wis., Justman graduated from the University of
Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and earned a master of divinity degree from
Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. Wartburg is one of
eight ELCA seminaries. Ordained in 1983, Justman served as
pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Appleton, and Our Savior's
Lutheran Church, Oshkosh. He was first elected bishop in 2000,
succeeding the Rev. John C. Beem, who retired. Justman and his
wife Vicki are the parents of three sons and reside in Appleton.
The ELCA East Central Synod of Wisconsin includes 99,173 baptized
members in 141 congregations from Wausau to Fond du Lac, Green
Bay and Wisconsin Rapids. The synod office is in Appleton.
*Katherine R. Hinck is a senior journalism and religion major at
Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. This summer she is an
intern with the ELCA News Service.
Links
The East Central Synod of Wisconsin: http://www.ecsw.org
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church: http://www.gswausau.org/
Bethany Lutheran Church: http://www.trinity-bethany.org/
Wartburg Theological Seminary: http://www.wartburgseminary.edu/
eight ELCA seminaries:
http://www.ELCA.org/theologicaleducation/seminaries
Zion Lutheran Church: http://www.zionlutheranonline.com/
Our Savior's Lutheran Church: http://www.oslcosh.org/
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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
