wfn.org | Hofstad Elected Lutheran Bishop of Southwestern Washington

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 11, 2001

HOFSTAD ELECTED LUTHERAN BISHOP OF SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON
01-154-FI/RL*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Robert D. Hofstad was elected to a six-
year term as bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) June 9 when the synod met
in assembly at the Sheraton Convention Center, Tacoma, Wash.  He has
served as assistant to the bishop since 1996.
     Hofstad will succeed the Rev. David C. Wold as bishop on Sept. 1.
Wold, 65, will retire after 14 years as bishop of the Southwestern
Washington Synod and will continue as chair of the Good Samaritan
Hospital Foundation, Puyallup, Wash.
     On the assembly's fifth ballot for bishop, Hofstad received 252
votes to 89 votes for the Rev. Philip L. Rue, Gloria Dei Lutheran
Church, Olympia, Wash.  The Rev. Richard W. Rouse, director of church
relations, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, was also a candidate on
the fourth ballot.  There were 52 names on the nominating ballot.
     Born in Sioux Falls, S.D., Hofstad, 53, is a graduate of Augustana
College, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.  He
received a master of theology degree from Saint John's University,
Collegeville, Minn.
     Ordained in 1973, Hofstad has served as pastor of Christ Lutheran
Church, Palatine, Ill.; and the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd,
Olympia.  He is a member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd,
Olympia.
     The date and place of Hofstad's installation as bishop have not
been determined.
     Hofstad and his wife, Linda, are the parents of two daughters.
     The Southwestern Washington Synod includes 43,757 Lutherans in 94
congregations across 14 Washington counties.  The synod office is
located on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University -- a university of
the ELCA.
-- -- --
[*Richard Londren is correspondent for The Lutheran magazine from the
Southwestern Washington Synod.]

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