From Pastor Steve …

Our New Bishop

As of September 1, the Rev. Stacie Fidlar will begin a six year term as bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod.

Here is some biographical information about bishop-elect Fidlar, and some excerpts from the profile that she submitted to the Synod Assembly.

The Rev. Stacie R. Fidlar of Rock Island, Ill., was elected June 18 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, which met online on June 5 and 12 and then in person at Augustana College in Rock Island June 17-18. 

Fidlar was elected on the fifth ballot with 219 votes to 111 votes for the Rev. Dr. Janet Hunt, pastor of First Lutheran Church in DeKalb, Ill. A total of 166 votes was needed for election. 

The bishop-elect has served as pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock Island since 1999. She was pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Seneca, Ill., from 1995 to 1999 and interim pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Forreston, Ill., in 1995. 

Fidlar earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in religion with an Asian studies concentration from Augustana College in 1991 and her Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1995. She completed the Shalem Institute Group Leaders Program in 2002 and participates in ongoing continuing education with foci on leadership, spirituality and foundation management. The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is one of seven ELCA seminaries.

Fidlar will take office on Sept. 1. Her installation is scheduled for Oct. 8 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockford, Ill. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will officiate at the installation. 

Stacie Fidlar’s reflections on her call to ministry:

I begin and travel daily remembering that I am a beloved child of God. I am called to a life of love and service, striving always to live God's promised kingdom here and now. I seek to hear God's call for reconciliation and being a 'repairer of the breach'. That call requires listening to the Spirit and listening to God's people. There are wounds out there that run deep; there are people who do not trust that they will be heard; there are surprises that God is waiting for us to recognize. God's Spirit calls me to bring the gift of resurrection hope. That call requires a gentle boldness, grounded in prayer and faith.

To watch a conversation with her and retiring Bishop Clements, use this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEJg6GL22Xk