Hofstad Elected Lutheran Bishop of Southwestern Washington

     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 Londgren is correspondent for The Lutheran magazine from the Southwestern Washington Synod.]

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