Election of a Bishop

Update from the Committee:

On February 27^th, the Committee for the Election of a Bishop met to review the commentary from election-related discussions and Bishop nominee voting results from the five Conference Annual Assemblies held on February 16^th. The only nominee is our current Bishop Regina Hassanally. On the basis of those results plus the advice of the Synod Council, the Committee has determined to cancel election discernment conversations that were previously planned to take place in May in preparation for the ecclesiastical ballot at the May 30-31 Synod Assembly.

Nominee Information

The time period for nominating candidates for synod bishop closed on January 30. Thank you to those who completed the process. All nominations received were for the same individual, the incumbent Bishop Regina Hassanally. Biographical information for the solo nominee can be found here.

Resources

• Synod Site Profile: Includes detailed information about this synod.
• Bishop Profile: Includes detailed information about the role of the bishop.
• Study Guide for Congregations: Provides critical questions for your congregation to ponder as you discern any potential nominees.

Important Dates

• January 30, 2025: Deadline for nomination forms (see above).
• February 16, 2025: Conference Assembly voting members will vote on candidates submitted by congregations (see above). No new names can be nominated at Conference Assemblies. (Learn more about Conference Assemblies.)
• May 30-31, 2025: SEMN Synod Assembly will be held in Mankato with the election of the bishop by ecclesiastical ballot.

Nomination Forms

Nomination Form for Congregations: a congregation may complete this form to nominate a candidate for bishop.  The form can be filled out electronically online for immediate submission or may be completed as a hard copy and mailed to the Committee Chair. The deadline for receipt of completed forms was January 30, 2025.

Biographical Form for Nominees: individuals who are lifted up by a congregation as potential nominees are invited to complete this form. It may be filled out electronically online for immediate submission or may be completed as a hard copy and mailed to the Committee Chair. The deadline for receipt of completed forms was January 30, 2025.

The Committee for the Election of a Bishop

Elected at the 2022 Synod Assembly, serving a 6-year term.

• Dr. Joyce A. Thompsen, Chair – Minnesota River Conference
• Barb Anderson, Secretary – Zumbro River Conference
• Rev. Kurt Bockoven – Root River Conference
• Paul Jacobson – Canon River Conference
• Rev. Kristi Mitchell – Blue Earth River Conference
• Rev. Mike Walerius – At-Large (member of Minnesota River Conference)
• Jean Wichmann – At-Large (member of Blue Earth River Conference)