Timothy Oslovich Elected Bishop of the ELCA Alaska Synod

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CHICAGO (April 30, 2024) — The Rev. Timothy R. Oslovich, Vernon, Conn., was elected April 27 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Alaska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, April 26-28, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Anchorage.

Oslovich was elected on the fifth ballot, with 52 votes. The Rev. Susan Halvor, manager of the Spiritual Care Department at Providence Alaska Medical, Anchorage, received 49 votes.

The bishop-elect has served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vernon since 2003. From 1997 to 2003, he was pastor of Shishmaref Lutheran Church in Shishmaref, Alaska, and from 2009 until this year he was an adjunct professor at Bay Path University, Longmeadow, Mass.

Oslovich earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa., in 1991; a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., in 1993; and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary) in 1997. United is one of seven ELCA seminaries. In 2008, Oslovich earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from Bay Path.

He will take office July 1 and be installed Aug. 24 in Anchorage (location to be determined).

The Rev. Shelley R. Wickstrom is retiring after serving as bishop since 2012. Her last day will be June 30.

Information about the Alaska Synod is available at elcaalaska.net/.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org