ELCA NEWS SERVICE June 2, 2008 Samuel Zeiser Elected Bishop of ELCA Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod 08-077-FI CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Samuel R. Zeiser, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown, Pa., was elected May 31 to a six-year term as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod at the synod assembly May 29-31 in Lake Harmony, Pa. On Aug. 1 he succeeds the Rev. David R. Strobel, who announced earlier his plans to retire at the end of his term as bishop. Zeiser's installation as bishop is planned for Sept. 27 at Elm Park United Methodist Church, Scranton, Pa. On the fifth and final ballot for bishop Zeiser received 366 votes, and the Rev. Mary W. Gade, Ziegels Lutheran Church, Breinigsville, Pa., received 289 votes. The Rev. Carl D. Shankweiler, Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley View, Pa., a candidate on the fourth ballot, led the voting on the second and third ballots. There were 114 names on the nominating ballot. Zeiser, 56, was born in Coaldale, Pa., and graduated from Albright College, Reading, Pa. He earned master of divinity and master of sacred theology degrees from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) and a doctor of philosophy degree from Drew University, Madison, N.J. LTSP is one of eight ELCA seminaries. Ordained in 1979, Zeiser was pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Nanticoke, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Bangor, and Bethany Lutheran Church, West Reading, all in Pennsylvania, before Christ Lutheran Church called him in 2002. Zeiser and his wife Linda are the parents of an adult daughter. The ELCA Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod consists of approximately 165,000 Lutherans in 293 congregations across 14 counties. The synod office is in Wescosville, Pa. -- -- -- The home page of the ELCA Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod is at http://www.godslove.org/ on the Web. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog