Philip Hirsch Elected Bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan, D.C., Synod

CHICAGO — The Rev. Philip C. Hirsch, Chicago, was elected June 7 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Metropolitan, D.C., Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, June 6-7 at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Convention Center in Hyattsville, Md.

Hirsch was elected on the fourth ballot, with 175 votes. The Rev. Karen Brau, pastor of Luther Place Memorial Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C., received 70 votes.

The bishop-elect has served as executive director of the ELCA Christian Community and Leadership unit (formerly Domestic Mission) since 2019. Previously, Hirsch served as director for evangelical mission and assistant to the bishop with the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod (2009-2019). He also was pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fairfax, Va. (1999-2009); Christus Evangelical Lutheran Church in Camden, N.J.; and Epiphany Lutheran Church in Camden (1990-1999).

Hirsch earned a Bachelor of Arts from Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa., in 1986; a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) in 1990; and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, in 1997. Susquehanna is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities. LSTC is one of seven ELCA seminaries.

He will take office on Sept. 1 and will be installed in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. (Eastern time).

The Rev. Leila Ortiz has served as synod bishop since 2019.

Information about the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod is available on their website.