wfn.org | David Mullen Elected Bishop of ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 29, 2002

DAVID MULLEN ELECTED BISHOP OF ELCA SIERRA PACIFIC SYNOD
02-102-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. David G. Mullen was elected to a six-
year term as bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at the synod assembly in Fresno,
Calif., April 25-27.  Mullen will succeed the Rev. Robert W. Mattheis,
who announced in October he would resign as bishop May 31.
     Mattheis, who was treated for kidney and prostrate cancer, expects
to make a full recovery, he said in a letter to synod congregations.
But because the treatment and recovery process had taken longer than
anticipated, Mattheis said he felt his decision to resign was necessary.
     Mattheis was elected to a six-year term as bishop of the synod in
1994 and re-elected to a second six-year term in 2000.
     Mullen, 59, is pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church, Rio Linda,
Calif., where he has served since 1994.  He was elected on the sixth
ballot for bishop with 348 votes over the Rev. Richard O. Johnson, Peace
Lutheran Church, Grass Valley, Calif., 133 votes, and the Rev. Brian H.
Hughes, assistant to the bishop, Sierra Pacific Synod, Oakland, Calif.,
101 votes.  There were 87 names on the nominating ballot.
     Mullen's installation as bishop is planned for June 15 in
Stockton, Calif.
     Born in Bloomer, Wis., Mullen earned a bachelor's degree in 1965
from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., one of 28 ELCA colleges and
universities.  He earned a master of divinity in 1969 from Luther
Seminary, St. Paul., Minn., one of eight ELCA seminaries.
     Following his ordination in 1969, he served as associate pastor of
Christ Lutheran Church, Minot, N.D., until 1974, when he was called to
serve as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Westhope, N.D.  In 1984 he
became pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Eureka, Calif.,
 where he served until he was called to Calvary, Rio Linda.
     Mullen and his wife Susan reside in Antelope, Calif.  They are
parents of three grown children.
     The ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod has 74,301 baptized members in 214
congregations.  The synod office is located in Oakland.

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John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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