Marie Jerge Elected Bishop of ELCA Upstate New York Synod

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Marie C. Jerge was elected June 4 to a six-year term as bishop of the Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).   She was elected during the synod's assembly June 2-4 at the State University of New York, Oswego, N.Y., June 2-4.
     Jerge (YER-gee), 49, has served as an assistant to the bishop of the Upstate New York Synod since 1988.  Before she was on the synod staff, Jerge served as pastor of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mayville, N.Y., and co-pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Silver Creek, N.Y.
     Jerge was elected on the fifth ballot with 376 votes over the Rev. Nelson W. Gaetz, Atonement Lutheran Church, Syracuse, N.Y., who received 171 votes. Jerge led on the fourth ballot with 272 votes, over Gaetz with 174 votes, and the Rev. Charles "Rusty" May, First Lutheran Church, Jamestown, N.Y., with 104 votes.  There were 16 names on the nominating ballot.
     Jerge will succeed the Rev. Lee M. Miller, who announced last fall he would not seek re-election and retire. Miller has served as bishop of the synod since 1992.  Jerge begins her term Sept. 1 and she will be installed as bishop Sept. 21 in Syracuse.
     Jerge was born in Mineola, N.Y.  She earned her bachelor of arts degree from Smith College, Northhampton, Mass., and a master of divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, one of eight ELCA seminaries.
     Jerge is married to the Rev. James N. Jerge, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Depew, N.Y.
     The ELCA Upstate New York Synod has 84, 510 baptized members in 197 congregations.  Its main office is located in Syracuse. -- -- -- EDITORS: Jerge is the sixth woman to be elected as a synod bishop in the ELCA.

*Amy Wineinger is a junior at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa.  She is
an intern this summer with ELCA News and Media Production.

*Mary Luisi is the editor of The Lutheran and Upstate Uplink for the
ELCA Upstate New York Synod.

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