CHICAGO — The Rev. Kristen Papson, Erie, Pa., was elected June 14 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 13-14 at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa.
Papson was elected on the fifth ballot, with 49 votes. The Rev. Michael Lozano, current bishop of the synod, received 45 votes. A total of 48 votes were required for election.
The bishop-elect has served as pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Erie, Pa., since 2015 and Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Erie since 2024.
Papson earned a Bachelor of Arts from Mercyhurst University in Erie in 2011 and a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary) in 2015. United is one of seven ELCA seminaries
She will take office on Sept. 1 and be installed on Oct. 19 at Good Hope Lutheran Church, Oil City, Pa.
Lozano has served as synod bishop since 2019.
Information about the Northwestern Pennsylvania 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
