wfn.org | Minneapolis Lutheran Bishop Remains Hospitalized Following Surgery

[NEWS@ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 2, 2004

Minneapolis Lutheran Bishop Remains Hospitalized Following Surgery
04-032-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Craig E. Johnson, bishop of the
Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA), remains hospitalized following successful surgery March 2 to
repair a brain aneurysm, said Kristi R. Mitchell, communications
coordinator for the synod.
     Another surgical procedure to repair a second brain aneurysm is
planned for a later time, once Johnson has recovered from the first
surgery, said Mitchell, in an e-mail message to pastors and lay leaders in
the synod.  Johnson is expected to remain hospitalized for at least a few
weeks, she said.
     "Three clips were inserted and the surgeons have successfully sealed
the first aneurysm," Mitchell's message said.  "The surrounding vessels
look good. The surgery generally went as well as can be expected."
     The aneurysms were found after Johnson was hospitalized Feb. 26 at
Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis. Earlier that day, he attended a
meeting at a synod congregation and after the meeting concluded, Johnson
said he had lost the feeling in his legs.  He went to the hospital
immediately, Mitchell said.
     Johnson was originally scheduled for surgery on March 1, but it was
postponed one day because Johnson's sodium levels were low.
     The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, and the Rev. Lowell
G. Almen, ELCA secretary, visited Johnson, Johnson's wife, Cindy, and
other family members in the past few days, and met with the synod staff.
The Rev. Peter Rogness, bishop of the Saint Paul (Minn.) Area Synod, also
visited Johnson, Mitchell said.
     The synod is planning a "Gathering for Healing, Support and
Encouragement," at 2 p.m., March 5, at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church,
Minneapolis, Mitchell said.
     The family has asked friends not to send flowers, make phone calls or
visit Johnson.	Updates on Johnson's condition are posted at
http://www.mpls-synod.org and http://www.caringbridge.org/mn/craigjohnson
on the Web.  Messages can also be sent to Johnson and his family via the
Web or to the synod office.
     Johnson was elected to serve a six-year term as bishop of the
Minneapolis Area Synod in 2001.  He previously was associate vice
president for church relations at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter,
Minn., one of the 28 ELCA colleges and universities.
     The Minneapolis Area Synod has 226,776 members in 168 congregations.

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