wfn.org | Skrenes Elected Lutheran Bishop of Northern Great Lakes Synod

[NEWS <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 26, 1999

SKRENES ELECTED LUTHERAN BISHOP OF NORTHERN GREAT LAKES SYNOD
99-144-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Thomas A. Skrenes, 44, was elected
bishop of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) on May 25.  He received 161 votes to 128 for
the Rev. David L. Echelbarger, 46, on the fifth ballot during the
synod's assembly at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mich.
     Since 1993, Skrenes has served as assistant to the Rev. Dale R.
Skogman, 59, current bishop of the synod.  Skrenes will succeed Skogman
on Sept. 1.  Skogman, elected in 1991 and re-elected in 1995, plans to
retire.
     Echelbarger is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Negaunee, Mich.
The Rev. Robert V. Langseth, 66, Faith Lutheran Church, Calumet, Mich.,
was also considered on the assembly's fourth ballot for bishop.  There
were 46 names on the nominating ballot.
     Skrenes is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Madison,
Wis., and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.  Ordained in 1980,
he served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ishpeming, Mich.
     Skrenes will be installed as bishop on Sept. 19 at St. Peter's
Cathedral in Marquette.
     The bishop-elect and his wife, Luanne -- a nurse at Marquette
General Hospital, Marquette -- are the parents of four sons.  They are
members of Faith Lutheran Church, Ishpeming.
     The ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod includes more than 40,000
Lutherans in 95 congregations across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and
six counties in northeastern Wisconsin.

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