2001 Synod Assembly

New Bishop Elected

The Rev. Harold L. Usgaard, St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Austin, MN, was elected to a six-year term as bishop. On the fifth and final ballot he received 312 votes to 250 votes for the Rev. James A. Arends, Trinity Lutheran Church, Spring Grove, MN.

The Rev. Norm W. Wahl, Bethel Lutheran Church, Rochester, and the Rev. Richard L. Jorgensen, First English Lutheran Church, Faribault, were also considered on the fourth ballot. There were 53 names on the nominating ballot.

During the speaker's time prior to the fourth ballot Pastor Usgaard reminded the assembly that the Lord is with us and that the Church is in God's hands. Therefore we need not be afraid nor think we have to save ourselves. It was a sentiment that he reiterated after accepting the results of the election stating that, "When God calls us he doesn't call us to be alone."

Pastor Usgaard succeeds Bishop Nycklemoe as the synod's bishop on September 1. Nycklemoe was elected in 1987 as the synod's first bishop and was reelected again in 1991 and 1995. He plans to retire at the end of August.

The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, will install Pastor Usgaard as bishop in a ceremony October 21 at St. John Lutheran Church, Owatonna, MN.

Pastor Usgaard is a graduate of Luther College, Decorah, IA, and Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. He served as pastor of Mount Hope Lutheran Church, West Allis, WI, and Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, MN, before moving to Austin in 1991.

Back to 2001 Synod Assembly