Joy Mortensen-Wiebe elected bishop of ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
The Rev. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, Kewaskum, Wis., was elected Aug. 29 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.
Mortensen-Wiebe was elected on the third ballot, with 166 votes. The Rev. Stacie Fidlar, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock Island, Ill., received 165 votes.
The bishop-elect has served as pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Slinger, Wis., since 2018. Previously she served the following Wisconsin churches: First in Beaver Dam (2017); St. Paul in Mayville (2016-2017), Living Hope in Saukville (2014-2016), All Saints in Oshkosh (2000-2004); and Grace in Tomahawk (1992-1995). Mortensen-Wiebe also was interim director for evangelical mission in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin (2018), an associate to the bishop in the East Central Synod of Wisconsin (2004-2014) and pastor chaplain of Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh Inc. (1995-2000).
Mortensen-Wiebe received a Bachelor of Science degree from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis., in 1988 and a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., in 1992. Luther is one of seven ELCA seminaries.
Mortensen-Wiebe's installation is set for Oct. 11.
The Rev. Peter Rogness has served as interim bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin since September 2019.
Information about the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin is available at scsw-elca.org.