Bishop Jon Anderson installed

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

ST. PETER -- Hymns, prayers and sermon echoed through the chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College, as friends, family and colleagues of Rev. Jon Anderson welcomed him as their new bishop.

Anderson, a pastor from Christ The King Lutheran Church in New Ulm, was selected to the position this past summer.

As bishop, Anderson will sit in Redwood Falls, where the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America is based.

During his remarks to the congregation, Anderson said he is "grateful, overwhelmed and surprised --still" that the Synod chose him to succeed Bishop Stanley Olson, who resigned last year to take a position with the ELCA national office in Chicago.

Dr. James Peterson, president of Gustavus Adolphus College, said Anderson's arrival marks "an important moment in the life of the church" and said the weekend is particularly important for families because the installation is also on a Gustie homecoming weekend.

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson gave a sermon about the importance of having faith in light of all life's duties and personal goals and expectations. He said pastors are often expected to be caregivers who are sensitive and who are active in the Synod, but that expectation, along with self-doubt and illusion, can cause someone to loose heart. He asked Anderson to believe and "have the courage to be a Christian leader."

Once Hanson finished, many different people came to the altar. Some were dressed in work uniforms. Others wore the clothing of Lutheran clergy past. Representatives from many other denominations, including the Catholic, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches, were also at the altar when it came time for Anderson to kneel and take his vows.

They each took turns laying their hands on Anderson, saying silent prayers for him, as a choir sang "Veni Sancte Spiritus," a Latin hymn that translates as "Holy Spirit, come to us." The congregation sang a hymn following the choir.

Then it was time for Anderson to get out his acoustic guitar and do some singing with a group of kids sitting around him on the altar steps. During the children's sermon, Anderson introduced the kids to everyone standing behind him, apologizing for not remembering everyone's names. He told the kids they are an important part of the life of the church and that he hopes they would choose to be a part of the church in the future.

The southwestern Minnesota synod is one of six ELCA synods in the state. Two are in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and the other four are at each corner of Minnesota.

Anderson will oversee about 279 churches in the area. The synod he is in charge of stretches from Judson to St. Peter to Cokato.

Anderson, a native of Belgrade in Kandiyohi County, was elected by the Annual Synod Assembly, which met at Gustavus Adolphus College on June 12. He served as pastor of Christ The King Lutheran in New Ulm for seven years. Before that, he was a pastor in St. Cloud. He returned to Minnesota after working in churches in Houston, Texas, and Dickinson, Texas.

Anderson's term as bishop will last for six years, after which time he is eligible to serve one more term.