CHICAGO (June 4, 2025) — The Rev. Emily Hartner, Charlotte, N.C., was elected May 31 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, May 29-31 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C.
Hartner was elected on the fifth ballot, with 288 votes. The Rev. Lucille “CeCee” Mills, assistant to the bishop in the North Carolina Synod, received 211 votes.
The bishop-elect has served as pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Charlotte, since 2017. Hartner served as a pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Charlotte, from 2010 to 2017.
Hartner earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology and French from Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., in 2003; a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Conn., in 2007; and a Master of Sacred Theology in Lutheran Studies from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary) in 2012. United is one of seven ELCA seminaries.
She will take office on Aug. 1 and will be installed at Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte, on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m.
The Rev. Timothy M. Smith is retiring after having served as synod bishop since 2015.
Information about the North Carolina Synod is available here.
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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
