First female bishop of Mpls. synod installed

The first woman to lead the Minneapolis synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has officially begun her duties as bishop.

The Rev. Ann Svennungsen was installed during a ceremony Sunday and is already busy meeting with leaders of the 155 congregations and ministries that are part of the synod. The Minneapolis Area Synod is the largest in the ELCA.

Svennungsen said the ELCA already has a strong track record of working with other congregations to serve the common good, and it's something she said will continue under her leadership.

"Our calling is truly to serve the neighbor, especially the neighbor in need," she said. "We can be thoughtfully and caringly engaged in serving that person in need."

Svennungsen said the fact that she is the first woman to serve as the synod's bishop helps reflect the ELCA's commitment to diversity.

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