Nearly 900 people gathered at Split Rock Resort for the 21st annual assembly of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod May 29-31, 2008.

On the final ballot Saturday morning, Pastor Samuel R. Zeiser was elected to be the third bishop of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod since the ELCA was formed in 1988.

Pastor Zeiser received 366 votes on the final ballot. Pastor Mary Gade (Ziegels, Breinigsville) received 289 votes.

Meet the Bishop-Elect
The Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Zeiser will take office as the new bishop of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod on August 1, 2008.

Currently serving as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown, Pastor Zeiser formerly served as pastor of St. John, Nanticoke, Prince of Peace, Johnsonville, and Bethany, West Reading.

Pastor Zeiser's wife, Linda, a homemaker, is a native of Allentown. She enjoys providing volunteer caregiving at nursing facilities, new adventures in cooking, and using her gifts in a variety of ways in the congregational setting.

He and Linda are the parents of a daughter, Samantha, who completed a master's degree in elementary education at the University of Georgia and now teaches first grade in Athens, Georgia.

Pastor Zeiser received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Albright College, Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology degrees from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and a Ph.D. from Drew University.

Writing about the gifts he brings to the office of bishop, Pastor Zeiser lists these: “a deep faith that Christ is risen and is present among us; a passion for the mission of Christ’s church in our time; a commitment to discern and articulate a vision for that mission; a readiness to motivate support that will help carry out that mission; patience in the face of challenge; focus in matters of organization and goal setting, and a conviction that the Spirit will accomplish God’s intention in all that is begun in Jesus’ name.”

Pastor Zeiser will be installed as bishop of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod on September 27 at Elm Park United Methodist Church in Scranton. Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson will be the installing bishop.

In a note to people in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Bishop-Elect Zeiser writes,

To my brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod:

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I write to you still somewhat stunned and in disbelief. The realities of the transition, however, are taking effect and there is little time for sitting and gazing into space.

So many of you have sent notes or have called with congratulatory messages of support and promises of prayer. Be assured that I am deeply grateful for the kindnesses extended to my family and me.

It is important for you to know that our synod is being remembered in prayer across the ELCA. I ask you to join me in thanksgiving to God for the extraordinary bond of faith we share with nearly 5 million people in this church.

The days ahead hold the promise of new life in Christ, and I look forward to sharing the days and the promise with you in the mission of the gospel.

Your servant in the Lord,
Samuel