wfn.org | DUNKIN ELECTED BISHOP IN ELCA'S WEST VIRGINIA-WESTERN MARYLAND

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

             Maryland Synod

ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF

June 12, 1997

DUNKIN ELECTED BISHOP IN WEST VIRGINIA-WESTERN MARYLAND

The Rev. Ralph W. Dunkin, 46, was elected to a six-year term as bishop of the West
Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on June 7.  He
received 93 votes to 33 votes cast for the Rev. Phillip C. Huber on the third ballot during the
synod's annual assembly in Ripley, W.Va.  Others in consideration on the third ballot were the
Rev. Louise A. Knotts, Grantsville, Md., the Rev. Charles W. Aurand, Huntington, W.Va., and
the Rev. Cecil D. Bradfield, Bridgewater, Va.  There were 21 names on the nominating ballot.
Dunkin's name was submitted 71 times.  He is completing a four-year term as the synod's
secretary.  Dunkin has been pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wheeling, W.Va,
since 1978.  He is a graduate of Thiel College, Greenville, Pa., and Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.  Dunkin was ordained in 1976 and served as pastor of The Church
of the Covenant, Grafton, W.Va., 1976-78.  He succeeds Bishop L. Alexander Black, who will
retire Sept. 1.  Dunkin plans to reside in Wheeling; the synod office is in Fairmont, W.Va.  Huber
is formerly coordinator of the ELCA's Mid-Atlantic Region and is now a doctoral candidate.  He
is also serving St. John Lutheran Church, Thurmont, Md., and the Appalachian Ministries
Educational Resources Center in Berea, Ky.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html