ELCA NEWS SERVICE May 25, 2005 Skrenes Re-Elected Bishop of ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod 05-096-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Thomas A. Skrenes, 50, was re- elected May 23 to a six-year term as bishop of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Skrenes was re-elected on the second ballot for bishop at the synod assembly in Marquette, Mich. On the second ballot for bishop Skrenes received 210 of 271 votes. Runners-up were the Rev. Kim L. Beckman, Bethany Lutheran Church, Amasa, Mich., and Trinity Lutheran Church, Stambaugh, Mich., 28 votes; the Rev. Nancy I. Amacher, Messiah Lutheran Church, Marquette, 25 votes, and the Rev. Nancy A. Kauppi, Grace Lutheran Church, Gwinn, Mich., eight votes. There were 23 names on the nominating ballot. Skrenes' new term begins Sept. 1. Skrenes was first elected in 1999, succeeding the Rev. Dale R. Skogman, who served two terms as bishop before retiring. Skrenes had been assistant to the bishop under Skogman since 1993. Skrenes is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. Ordained in 1980, he served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ishpeming, Mich. Skrenes and his wife, Luanne, are the parents of four sons. They are members of Faith Lutheran Church, Ishpeming. The ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod includes 40,420 Lutherans in 94 congregations across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and six counties in northeastern Wisconsin. --- Information about the ELCA Northern Great Lakes Synod is at http://www.nglsynod.org/ on the Web. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news