Metropolitan New York Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church In America Announces The Rev. Paul Egensteiner Is New Bishop

NEW YORK, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Metropolitan New York Synod (MNYS), the regional expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), announces today that The Rev. Paul Egensteiner has been named Bishop Elect of the organization. The decision was made following a vote at the organization's annual Assembly held May 16-18, in Tarrytown, New York.

Following an election process that identified seven potential candidates, final voting at the close of the Assembly has yielded the selection of The Rev. Paul Egensteiner as the new Bishop Elect of the Metropolitan New York Synod.  A pastor in Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Pleasantville, The Rev. Paul Egensteiner has spearheaded a number of community and faith-based initiatives.

At the Assembly, approximately 450+ pastors, deacons and elected voting members from each congregation also set the agenda for the Synod's strategic plan for the upcoming year, including major initiatives surrounding ecumenical efforts, inclusion of immigrants, and programming celebrating LGBTQIA+ congregants. The group also passed a resolution for consideration to the ELCA National Church Assembly in August, to declare itself as a "Sanctuary" Denomination, ready to seek justice and protection for refugees and undocumented people; and a resolution to endorse the Poor People's Campaign and encourage its members to participate where appropriate in the organizing, advocacy, and actions of the campaign.

"I am incredibly pleased and confident in the selection of The Rev. Paul Egensteiner as Bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod," states Bishop Donald McCoid. "From spearheading community initiatives such as disaster relief, hunger committees and environmental stewardship, to focusing on inclusion of immigrants and celebrating LGBTQIA+ congregants, and shepherding his parishioners and nurturing their faith, I could not think of a more capable leader to continue our Church's radically welcoming path forward."

"It is a huge honour to have been elected to serve not only the MNYS but also the ELCA in this way," added The Rev. Egensteiner, new Bishop Elect. "Former Bishop Donald McCoid has set an incredible precedent of leadership and compassion for our brothers and sisters in faith, and it is with great pride that I may continue to build upon this strong foundation. It is together that we will continue to identify the initiatives that are most important to our community, continuing to build bridges and share the word of God."

Encompassing nearly 190 congregations across New York City, Long Island and the counties of Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Dutchess, the Metropolitan New York Synod has a reputation as being radically welcoming and inclusionary. The Synod supports nearly 70,000 baptized members across 200 congregations and mission developments with a clergy roster of 350 pastors and deacons.

The formal rite of installation will take place on November 16^th in New York City following a period of transition and mentorship with Former Bishop Donald, J. McCoid.

About Metropolitan New York Synod:

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has three expressions: over 10,000 congregations, 65 regional synods, and the churchwide organization.The Metropolitan New York Synod is the regional expression of the ELCA and encompasses 190 parishes in all five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties. The 190 parishes are greatly diverse, from rural outposts to inner-city storefront churches, with a good dose of suburban mid-sized congregations as well. Worship is conducted in over a dozen languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Norwegian, German, Swahili, and American Sign Language. Progressive and highly inclusive, the Synod champions diversity and tolerance, with strong multicultural and global missions, as well as unwavering advocacy for children, the LGBTQIA+ community and displaced immigrants. Under the leadership of interim Bishop, The Reverend Donald McCoid, the Synod will be identifying a new Bishop in May of 2019, to be fully installed by Fall of 2019.

SOURCE Metropolitan New York Synod