by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service
The Rev. Richard J. (Rick) Foss, former bishop, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Eastern North Dakota Synod,
became director of the Contextual Leadership Initiative (CLI)
for Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., and Pacific Lutheran
Theological Seminary (PLTS), Berkeley, Calif., on Aug. 1.
Luther and PLTS are two of eight ELCA seminaries, and they
comprise the ELCA's Western Mission Cluster -- a cooperative
venture of both seminaries and other partners to coordinate
the theological education resources of the church in the
western United States. CLI places students from both
seminaries in internships and other contextual learning
assignments.
Foss, 63, served as bishop of the ELCA Eastern North Dakota
Synod since 1992 and was ineligible for re-election in 2008.
The Rev. Gary A. Wilkerson served as interim director of CLI
since July 2007.
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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
