The Rev. Robert F. Humphrey will be installed as bishop of the Virginia Synod – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on Saturday, September 9, 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Waynesboro. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton of the ELCA will preside over the installation.
Humphrey was elected to a six-year term as bishop of the Virginia Synod during the Synod Assembly June 9-11, 2017 at Roanoke College. At the time Humphrey was serving as co-pastor of Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He had previously served as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Waynesboro, VA, from 1990 to 2010 and Zion Lutheran Church from 1981 to 1988. He also served as a counselor at Valley Pastoral Counseling Center, in Waynesboro, from 1989 to 1990.
Bishop Humphrey graduated from The University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Arts double major in History and Political Science in 1977 and from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary with a Master of Divinity in 1981. He interned at Hothorpe Hall in England in 1979-80. He also enjoyed post-graduate studies in Counseling at The University of Virginia from 1989-90. Over the years he has also served in a variety of civic and church leadership roles.
Special music at Bishop Humphrey’s installation will be offered by a choir made up of members of Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg, Grace Lutheran Church in Waynesboro and Christ Lutheran Church in Staunton. Members of the Lutheran Youth Organization of the Virginia Synod will also participate in the service, including LYO Board president, Isaac Wilson.
In addition to the Presiding Bishop Eaton, Bishops of the Virginia, and South Carolina Synods of the ELCA will participate in the service. Five ELCA Bishops and seven other ecumenical church leaders plan to attend the service.
The Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America consists of 150 congregations across the state. It is one of the 65 synods of the ELCA, which has nearly 10,000 congregations. The Virginia Synod office is located in Bittle Hall on the campus of Roanoke College. To learn more, visit www.vasynod.org or www.ELCA.org online.
-Submitted by Emily Pilat, Virginia Synod Director of Communications
