CHICAGO — Deacon John Weit has accepted a call as assistant to the bishop, executive for worship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Weit has served in the role in an interim capacity since July 2019.
"For Lutherans, worship stands at the center of our life of faith," said the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA. "John brings to this role a deep commitment to how worship and liturgy help us grow in our faith. His gifts of music and leadership will ensure that the worship life of this church will continue to be grounded in our Lutheran roots while also providing relevance for today's world."
In his role as assistant to the bishop, executive for worship, Weit will oversee the work of the Worship team within the Office of the Presiding Bishop and provide leadership on the bishop's behalf in churchwide matters related to worship. This work includes developing and implementing strategies that support worship in synods, congregations and other local worship assemblies across the ELCA. He will oversee and participate in developing and reviewing worship resources intended for use throughout this church.
Since 2016 Weit has served as ELCA program director for music in the Office of the Presiding Bishop. Prior to joining the ELCA churchwide organization, he served as cantor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Worcester, Mass., from 2009 to 2016 and at Christ Ascension Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, Pa., from 2008 to 2009.
Weit earned a Bachelor of Science in electronic media, concomitant in music, from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in 2007. He earned a Master of Arts in religion with a concentration in liturgy and music from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 2009. The seminary became part of United Lutheran Seminary in 2017.
As part of his position with the ELCA, Weit works closely with the board of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
