By John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service
The Rev. Gregory R. Pile was elected June 5 to a fourth term as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Allegheny Synod during the synod assembly June 4-6 in Altoona, Pa. Pile was re-elected on the first ballot, receiving 217 votes of 258 cast. Eighteen nominees were on the first ballot.
Pile, 60, was born in Somerset, Pa. In 1971 he earned a bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pa. In 1975 Pile earned a master of divinity degree at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG). Gettysburg College is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities; LTSG is one of eight ELCA seminaries. Pile served as pastor of Lutheran congregations in New Centerville and Davidsville, both in Pennsylvania, before he was elected bishop.
Pile and his wife Barbara are parents of three adult children. They reside in Davidsville, Pa. The ELCA Allegheny Synod has 40,514 baptized members in 127 congregations across seven counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. The synod office is in Altoona, Pa.
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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
