wfn.org | Dunkin Re-elected ELCA W.Va.-Western Maryland Synod Bishop

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 10, 2003

DUNKIN RE-ELECTED ELCA W.VA.-WESTERN MARYLAND SYNOD BISHOP
03-120-JAC*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Ralph W. Dunkin, 52, was re-elected to
a six-year term as bishop of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), at the synod assembly
at Potomoc State College, Keyser, W.Va.
     Dunkin has served as bishop of the synod since 1997.  He was re-
elected on the first ballot.  Dunkin received 105 votes of the 120
ballots cast.  The Rev. David A. Twedt, St. Matthew Lutheran Church,
Benwood, W.Va., and Trinity Lutheran Church, Wheeling, W.Va., and the
Rev. Richard G. Mahan,	St. Timothy Lutheran Church, South Charleston,
W.Va., each received three votes.
     Before becoming bishop, Dunkin served as pastor at Christ
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheeling, W. Va., and pastor at the
Church of the Covenant, Grafton, W.Va.
     Dunkin was born in Pittsburgh.  In 1972 he received a bachelor of
arts degree in history from Thiel College, Greenville, Pa., and later
received a master of divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Gettysburg (LTSG), Pa.	Thiel College is one of 28 ELCA colleges and
universities; LTSG is one of eight ELCA seminaries.
     Dunkin and his wife, Teresa, currently reside in Wheeling, W.Va.
They have two grown sons, Russell and Eric.
     The ELCA West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod has 15,448 baptized
members in 62 congregations.  The synod office is in Fairmont, W.Va.
-- -- --
*Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at Concordia
College, Moorhead, Minn.  This summer she is an intern with ELCA News
and Media Production.

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John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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