SIOUX FALLS - The senior pastor at Lutheran Memorial Church in
Pierre and Grace Lutheran Church in Hayes, the Rev. David Zellmer,
was installed Saturday as bishop of the South Dakota Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The ELCA, the largest Protestant denomination in South Dakota,
has nearly 123,000 members in 253 congregations statewide and more
than 4.8 million members nationwide.
Zellmer succeeds the Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, who served
the maximum of two six-year terms as bishop and was the first
female head of the synod.
He was installed at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls
during a morning service that included representatives of other
Christian denominations as well as the Jewish and Muslim
faiths.
In remarks near the end of the service, Zellmer said he was
gratified that those of other faiths were on hand at his
installation.
He also told Lutherans he will work hard for them.
"I promise you that I will be diligent in the means of grace,"
Zellmer said, "and will be diligent in using all the gifts and
abilities and talents that I have in being your bishop."
Zellmer addressed Pierre residents - many of them state
government leaders - who attended the service, telling them it has
been his privilege to live among them, to be one of their pastors
"and to watch people of faith do their work for the people of South
Dakota."
One of those attending from Pierre was Gov. Mike Rounds.
"Today is truly a celebration of faith," the governor told
those assembled. "And it is a recognition of a freedom that we have
here that is very special."
Rounds noted that ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson stressed unity in
his installation sermon while recognizing that the many faiths have
their differences.
"Our opportunity to worship the good Lord the way that we see
fit, whether it be in a church, synagogue, mosque, mountain top or
cathedral, is something that we should never, ever take lightly or
forget," Rounds said.
Zellmer will work out of the synod headquarters in Sioux
Falls.
"It has been a pleasure and a privilege serving in this state
for 26 years," he said. "And I look forward to the years to
come."
Zellmer joked that people shouldn't believe some stories they
might hear about his youth.
"Today, I've been surrounded by people I have known, some of
you my whole life long. … There are people that have known me since
I was little. None of you talk to them, please," Zellmer said as
the assembled Lutherans laughed. "They are filled with stories that
should not ever be repeated again. And none of them are
true."
Delegates to the synod convention elected Zellmer June 1 on
the second ballot.
