New Bishop Elected
Kevin T. Jones elected bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod
Congratulations to the Rev. Kevin T. Jones, Mason City, who has been elected to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place June 12 during the online Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly.
Jones was elected on the fifth ballot, with 168 votes. The Rev. Stacey Nalean-Carlson, pastor of Glenwood and Canoe Ridge Lutheran Churches, Decorah, received 118 votes.
The bishop-elect has served as pastor to Youth, Families and Education for Trinity Lutheran, Mason City, since 2014. Prior to that, Jones served as pastor for Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marion, from 2001-2014 and as pastor to Blair Lutheran Churches, Blair, Wis., from 1993-2001.
A graduate of Dubuque Senior High School, Dubuque, Jones received his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Mich., in 1986 and his Master of Divinity degree from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St Paul, Minn., in 1993. Jones currently serves as chair of the Northeastern Iowa Synod Candidacy Committee, is a member of the synod’s Consultation Committee, and is vice president of the Ewalu Camp & Retreat Center Board of Directors.
Jones will take office Sept. 1. His installation is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Trinity Lutheran, Mason City, and online.
Bishop Election Results
Bishop Installation
The installation of the Rev. Kevin T. Jones as Bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod took place Sept. 25, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton presided and preached, with music performed by the Wartburg Choir.
Watch The Full Installation Service
Bishop Installation Bulletin
Synod Assembly Recap
Some 324 voting members and 30 registered visitors attended the virtual 2021 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly, with the theme “Celebrating Renewal: Johannes Bugenhagen, Parish Pastor of the Reformation. Other visitors watched the event live on the synod’s Facebook page. The assembly included the election of a bishop, special recognitions, reports, worship and more.
Read a recap in the July/August 2021 Star Newsletter:
Star Newsletter – July/August 2021 1.78 MB 1249 downloads
Bishop-elect Kevin Jones is ready to lead …Read a blog wrap-up of the 2021 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly.
View the Synod Assembly on Facebook.
2021 Synod Assembly Resources
2021 Synod Election Results 79.77 KB 908 downloads
Results for synod council members, committees, and voting members for the 2022 ELCA…- 1
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Synod Profile 358 KB 671 downloads
An overview of the Northeastern Iowa Synod’s ministries, rostered ministers and…Assembly Offering
The Synod Assembly offering is a vital funding source for synod ministries designated by the Northeastern Iowa Synod Council. This year’s offering will support these ministries:
FUND FOR LEADERS — provides scholarships for seminarians from the Northeastern Iowa Synod. Scholarships totaling $89,982 were given to nine seminary students in 2020.
COMPANION SYNOD TRAVEL FUND — helps cover travel expenses for guests from companion synods in Hungary and Namibia to visit the Northeastern Iowa Synod.
BISHOP CRISIS FUND — used at the discretion of the Bishop to directly aid individuals and families within the synod territory in times of need. Aid may include providing food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance, moving or transportation expenses, or other assistance.
How to Give to the Assembly Offering
Gifts to the Assembly offering can be made online through the donate button below or by sending a check to: Northeastern Iowa Synod, 201 20th St. SW, P.O. Box 804 Waverly, IA 50677-0804.
Celebrating the Ordination of Women
The Synod Assembly honored the milestone anniversaries from 2020 of women being ordained in the ELCA:
- 50th anniversary of U.S. Lutheran churches’ decision to ordain women
- 40th anniversary of the ordination of the first women of color
- 10th anniversary of the ELCA’s decision to officially ordain people in same-gender committed relationships.
This video features women who are rostered ministers of Word and Sacrament from the Northeastern Iowa Synod to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women.
Men who are rostered ministers of Word and Sacrament from the Northeastern Iowa share a message of support for their women colleagues, to celebrate 50 years of faith ministry alongside one another.
Letter of Support for Female Rostered Ministers —
Nearly 60 male pastors from the Northeastern Iowa Synod signed this letter of support for the care and concern for their female rostered colleagues and to celebrate 50 years of ministry alongside one another.
