ELCA News Blog
June 12, 2007
Ralph Jones re-elected bishop of ELCA Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod
by Lauren A. Lamb*, ELCA News Service
The Rev. Ralph E. Jones was re-elected June 7 to a six-year term as bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at the synod assembly in Greenville, Pa., June 7-9. Jones, 52, was elected on the first ballot with 152 of 179 votes. There were 14 names on the first or nominating ballot. Jones' new term begins Sept. 1.
Jones was born in Kittanning, Pa. He earned a bachelor's degree in biblical studies from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pa., a master of divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG), and a master's degree in systematic theology from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. Gettysburg College is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities; and LTSG is one of eight ELCA seminaries. Before he was elected bishop in 2001, Jones was pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Corry, Pa.
The ELCA Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod has 28,469 baptized members in 88 congregations. The synod office is in Oil City, Pa.
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*Mary Housholder, Administrative Coordinator, ELCA Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, provided information.
* Lauren A. Lamb is a senior public relations and speech communication major at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog