wfn.org | Walter May Named Executive for ELCA Synod, Constituent Relations

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Title: Walter May Named Executive for ELCA Synod, Constituent Relations
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>February 12, 2009  

Walter May Named Executive for ELCA Synod, Constituent Relations
09-041-FI

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Walter S. May Jr. will become
executive assistant to the presiding bishop and executive for
synodical and constituent relations for the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) on Feb. 16. He succeeds the Rev. Kathie
Bender Schwich, who on Feb. 2 became vice president of mission
and spiritual care, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park
Ridge, Ill.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, appointed
May in consultation with representatives of the ELCA Conference
of Bishops. "Pastor May will build upon the churchwide
organization's deep commitment to working collaboratively with
synods and other partners," Hanson said, announcing the
appointment.

"Pastor May's extensive experience on a synod staff will be
a strong asset in his work with the Conference of Bishops and
synodical leaders. He brings great gifts in pastoral care and
administration," Hanson said. The conference is an advisory body
of the church that includes the ELCA's 65 synod bishops,
presiding bishop and secretary.

Born in Columbia, Miss., May, 61, is a graduate of Marquette
University, Milwaukee, and the Lutheran School of Theology at
Chicago (LSTC). He earned a doctorate in pastoral care and
counseling in 1996 from LSTC, one of eight seminaries of the
ELCA.

Ordained in the former Lutheran Church in America, May
served as pastor of Christ the Mediator Lutheran Church, Chicago,
and First Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. From 1996 to 2008
he was an assistant to the bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Iowa
Synod, Iowa City. Since October he has served ELCA Synodical
Relations as director of administration and synod support.

May and his wife D. Christine May, director for racial
justice ministries, ELCA Multicultural Ministries, are the
parents of five adult children.

Bender Schwich received her clinical pastoral education at
Lutheran General Hospital while a student at Luther Northwestern
Seminary (now Luther Seminary), St. Paul, Minn. She served as
pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Traverse City, Mich.;
director for church relations, Stephen Ministries, St. Louis; and
church community director, Rapha Hospital Treatment Center,
Wheaton, Ill.

Bender Schwich was an assistant to the bishop of the ELCA
Metropolitan Chicago Synod; pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church,
Park Ridge; and executive for leadership, ELCA Division for
Outreach, before becoming director for ELCA Synodical Relations
in 2000.

Bender Schwich and her husband, the Rev. Daniel J. Schwick,
director of the office of church and government relations,
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Des Plaines, are the
parents of three sons.

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is part of Advocate
Health Care, which is a fully integrated health care delivery
system related to the ELCA and United Church of Christ.

EDITORS: "Schwich" and "Schwick" are spelled correctly.

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