News

Torrential rains in Central America this past October affected nearly 3,600 people in western Nicaragua, depriving many people of their homes and livelihoods. Subsistence farmers are especially hard-hit: Not only did the rains destroy the current crop, it also destroyed the seeds to plant the next crop.

We in the South Dakota Synod have the opportunity to forestall famine in Nicaragua. There is an immediate need for contributions for Replanting Assistance and Food Assistance. Click here to download a bulletin insert that outlines how people and congregations can help!

Installation of Bishop David B. Zellmer

Click here to view a selection of unedited photos from Bishop Dave's September 15 installation.

Bishop Election News and Information

South Dakota Lutherans Elect New Bishop

Sioux Falls, S.D. - Voting members of the twentieth annual assembly of the South Dakota Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) tonight elected a new bishop to a six-year term.

The bishop-elect is the Rev. David B. Zellmer, who currently is Senior Pastor of Lutheran Memorial Church, Pierre, and Grace Lutheran, Hayes, South Dakota. He will be formally installed as bishop on September 15 in a service at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.

The South Dakota Synod constitution restricts a bishop to no more than two six-year terms. The Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, outgoing bishop of the South Dakota Synod, has served two terms and so was ineligible for reelection.

Zellmer was elected on only the second ballot, receiving 444 votes; 370 were needed to be elected

Voting members narrowed a slate of five nominees at the start of the assembly--the Rev. Olaf Roynesdal, Sioux Falls; the Rev. Jeff Sorenson, Garretson; the Rev. Paul Stjernholm, Sioux Falls; the Rev. Lawrence Wohlrabe, Moorhead, MN; and Zellmer--to three nominees on the second ballot--Sorenson, Wohlrabe, and Zellmer.

In his comments after the result was announced, Zellmer said to the assembly, "What were you thinking?"

Zellmer then asked for prayers for outgoing Bishop DeGroot-Nesdahl and for his family as well: his wife, LaDonna, and their children and granddaughter.

The theme for this year's assembly was "Living in God's Amazing Grace: Thanks Be to God." It was attended by an estimated 900 voting members, visitors, and guests, who will resume business on Saturday morning with the consideration of several resolutions and the adoption of a Mission Plan (budget) in excess of $2 million.

The South Dakota Synod, ELCA, numbers 122,758 baptized members in 253 congregations. Membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is 4,850,776.

 

 

South Dakota Synod, ELCA
Augustana College
Sioux Falls SD 57197
605/274-4011
605/274-4028 (fax)
sdsynod@augie.edu

 

 
120707