wfn.org | Wangberg Elected Lutheran Bishop of Northwestern Minnesota

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 11, 2001

WANGBERG ELECTED LUTHERAN BISHOP OF NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA
01-156-FI/SM*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Rolf P. Wangberg, interim pastor, Grace
Lutheran Church, Ada, Minn., was elected to a six-year term as bishop of
the Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) June 10 when the synod met in assembly at Trinity
Lutheran Church and Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.
     Wangberg will succeed the Rev. Arlen D. Hermodson as bishop on
Sept. 1.  Hermodson, 64, had announced he would not seek re-election as
bishop.  He is considering several opportunities for the future of his
ministry.
     On the assembly's fifth ballot for bishop, Wangberg received 331
votes to 320 for the Rev. Charles R. (Chick) Lane, assistant to the
bishop, ELCA Northwestern Minnesota Synod.  The Rev. Larry A. Gedde,
Hawley Lutheran Parish, Hawley, Minn., was also a candidate on the
assembly's fourth ballot.  There were 98 names on the nominating ballot.
     Born in Omaha, Neb., Wangberg, 55, is a graduate of Luther
College, Decorah, Iowa, and Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.  Ordained
in 1971, he has served as pastor of Lake Andes Lutheran Parish, Lake
Andes, S.D.; Zion Lutheran Church, International Falls, Minn.; and
Underwood Lutheran Parish, Underwood, Minn.
     Wangberg has served the synod as an interim pastor since 1994.  He
is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, and will be installed
as bishop Oct. 20 at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead.
     Wangberg and his wife Pat are the parents of four children and
have one grandchild.
     The Northwestern Minnesota Synod includes 112,767 Lutherans in 285
congregations in 21 northwest Minnesota counties.  The synod office is
on the campus of Concordia College, a college of the ELCA.
-- -- --
[*Stevie Mathre is director of communication for the Northwestern
Minnesota Synod.]

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