--- title: United Graduate Elected Bishop of ELCA Western Iowa Synod description: United Graduate Elected Bishop of ELCA Western Iowa Synod image: https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hubfs/5cd0b696dcfa7.image.jpg --- [![The Canvas Logo_Final1.png](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Canvas%20Logo_Final1.png?width=1779&name=The%20Canvas%20Logo_Final1.png "The Canvas Logo_Final1.png")](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas) - [Theology](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/theology) - [Activism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/activism) - [Arts](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/arts) - [Formation](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/formation) - [Voice](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/voice) - [Theology of Prince](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/tag/theology-of-prince) ![original-5](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/hubfs/Images/social-suggested-images/original-5.jpg "original-5") ### Subscribe to The Canvas ### Subscribe to The Canvas ## Featured Post   [Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/author/rev-dr-carolyn-pressler)   Feb 25, 2026 ## [Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler Reflects on Women’s History Month](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-rev.-dr.-carolyn-pressler-on-womens-history-month) Dear Friends of United, [immigration](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/immigration) [Feminism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/feminism) [Activism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/activism) [ICE in Twin Cities](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/ice-in-twin-cities) [Read More](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-by-rev.-dr.-carolyn-pressler-on-womens-history-month) ## Recent Posts [news](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/news) [Alums](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/alums) [ministry](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/ministry) [Voice](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/voice) [ELCA](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/topic/elca) # United Graduate Elected Bishop of ELCA Western Iowa Synod By [Max Brumberg-Kraus](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/author/max-brumberg-kraus)08, Aug 2019 Rev. Lorna Halaas was recently elected bishop of the Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Halaas is a 2008 graduate of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, where she received her MDiv. Halaas chose United for its ecumenical context and educational approach. Halaas was most recently assistant to the bishop of the Western Iowa Synod, serving in that position since 2013. Prior to that, she served as interim pastor and pastor for churches in Iowa and North Dakota. Her term as bishop will last six years. The first female bishop in the ELCA was elected in 1992. The denomination elected its first female presiding bishop in 2013. That same year, Halaas was a candidate for bishop of the Western Iowa Synod and was the only woman on the ballot. Last year synods in the ELCA elected six females bishops -- the most ever elected in one year. Two of the women elected were the denomination's first African-American female bishops. The push to amplify women's voices in faith leadership is part of United Theological Seminary's heritage. Professor Mary Farrell Bednarowski gave the opening speech at the 1993 Re-Imagining Conference, a gathering of 2,200 people from 16 denominations, including the ELCA, that addressed injustice toward women and full inclusion of women within their faith communities. Professor Christine Smith participated in a presentation at the conference, and United alumnae Mary Kay Sauter and Kathi Austin Mahle co-chaired the conference. To learn more about United, visit unitedseminary.edu. ### [Max Brumberg-Kraus](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/author/max-brumberg-kraus) Max Brumberg-Kraus is a 2020 alum of United, with an MA in Theology and the Arts. Max also works in marketing at United as a Digital Content Specialist. Max is a performing artist and writer in Saint Paul, MN, and a proud member of the queer artist scene. ## Your Comments : Previous Post ##### [New United Professor Brings Unique Perspective to Pastoral Theology](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/new-united-professor-brings-unique-perspective-to-pastoral-theology) Next Post ##### [Statement on White Nationalism](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/statement-on-white-nationalism) ### Search Blog - Latest Posts - Popular Posts ### Categories - [September 2017 (11)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2017/09) - [June 2021 (8)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2021/06) - [August 2018 (7)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2018/08) - [February 2017 (6)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2017/02) - [September 2018 (6)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2018/09) - [December 2018 (6)](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/archive/2018/12) ### Read more of what you like. ## [United Celebrates Largest New Class in Seminary’s History](https://blog.unitedseminary.edu/the-canvas/united-celebrates-largest-new-class-in-seminarys-history) ## [United Will Host Book Launch for Rev. 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