Title: Blom Re-Elected Bishop of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 8, 2001

BLOM RE-ELECTED BISHOP OF THE ELCA TEXAS-LOUISIANA GULF COAST SYNOD
01-148-RM*/JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Paul J. Blom was re-elected June 7 to a
six-year term as bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at the synod assembly in
New Orleans.  Blom, 60, has been serving as bishop of the synod since
1991.
     Blom was re-elected on the first ballot for bishop with 197 of 263
votes.  Others who received votes on the first ballot were the Rev.
Herbert E. Palmer, Faith Lutheran Church, Bellaire, Texas, 10 votes; the
Rev. Lawrence H. Bade, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Brenham, Texas, 8
votes; and the Rev. Craig W. Borchardt, Peace Lutheran Church, College
Station, Texas, 8 votes.  There were 26 names on the nominating ballot.
     Blom's new term begins Oct. 1.
     Blom, who was born in Green Bay, Wis., received a bachelor's
degree in history from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., an ELCA
higher education institution.  He earned a master of divinity degree at
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., an ELCA seminary.  Blom was ordained
in 1967.
     Before he was elected bishop, Blom served several years as senior
pastor at Kinsmen Lutheran Church, Houston.  He also served California
congregations in Lakewood, Del Mar and Cupertino, Calif.
     Blom and his wife, Marie, are parents of two grown children.
     The ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod has 50,487 members in
137 congregations.  Its offices are in Houston.
-- -- --
[*The Rev. Robert W. Moore is assistant to the bishop of the ELCA Texas-
Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod.]


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