WEST COLUMBIA, SC — The Rev. Wade Thomas Roof, III, currently serving as Senior Pastor at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia, S. C., was elected June 13 as bishop-elect of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The...

by Deacon Kathleen Cartledge Since current Bishop Virginia Aebischer will retire at the end of August, this Assembly with electing the next Bishop. Deacon John Weit, ELCA Executive for Worship, serving as the ELCA Representative, guided the election process. This...

by Pastor Rebecca Wicker https://www.youtube.com/live/USy9bb6O8H0?si=W6ZevgdB9Wit3H1y&t=3682 Saturday morning’s Worship and Necrology service echoed Jesus’ words from John 14, “Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled: A service of comfort and healing.” Led by Pastor...

by Pastor Lisa Isenhower https://www.youtube.com/live/USy9bb6O8H0?si=a5WqgYYOBxZYJ5Lo&t=922 Session four began with a motion from the floor to suspend the rules in order to allow both Rev. Rick Carter and Rev. Wade Roof, the final two candidates for bishop, to...

by Pastor Matt Titus The 2026 SC Synod Assembly considered and voted on a resolution brought by pastors from the Saxe Gotha Conference. The Revs. Gregory Brown, Jason Antley, Stephen Mims, Wade Roof, Ralph Hill, and Rebekah Boatwright asked the Assembly to consider a...

by Pastor Heather Apel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJBPx3AvsMQ Friday evening’s “Created to Create” art show honoring Bishop Ginny Aebischer was a highlight of this year’s Assembly, featuring works from 26 artists from the SC Synod. There were paintings, quilts...

by Beth Trump With 394 voting members and 40 visitors present, the first ballot for general elections was conducted. The results were as follows: Synod Council Lay Woman Eastern Area - Silke PyrlikSynod Council Lay Woman At Large - Beth TrumpSynod Council Lay Woman...

by Nancy Appel Addressing the Assembly, Bishop Ginny Aebischer emphasized joy for the Assembly's theme, "Created to Create," which calls us to weave together our talents to bring the church to people in all places and in all ways. She shared examples of the joys of...

By Pastor Kris Litman-Koon The keynote speaker of the 2026 South Carolina Synod Assembly was The Rev. Dr. Chad Rimmer. Doctor Rimmer is the rector and dean of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC. In this capacity,...