New England District (LCMS)

New England District of the LCMS
Location
Country United States
Territory Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Headquarters Springfield, Massachusetts
Statistics
Congregations 70
Schools
  • 53 preschool
  • 49 elementary
  • 3 secondary
Members 21,391 Baptized
19,030 Confirmed[1]
Information
Denomination Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
Established 1972
Current leadership
President Rev. Timothy Yeadon
Map
Website
www.ned-lcms.org

The New England District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), and encompasses all six New England states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. In addition, three congregations in southwest Connecticut are in the non-geographic SELC District. The New England District includes approximately 70 congregations and missions, subdivided into 9 circuits, as well as 24 preschools and 5 elementary schools. Baptized membership is over 22,000; with New England's total population standing at 14,240,000 as of 2005, the District's membership represents only 0.16% of the local population – the lowest of any of the LCMS' 33 geographical districts.

The New England District was formed in 1972 out of the Atlantic District. District offices are located in Springfield, Massachusetts. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years in Springfield to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers. The Rev. Timothy Yeadon was elected to his first term as District President at the 16th Regular Convention, June 14–16, 2012, succeeding the Rev. James Keurulainen, who served from 1997-2012.

Presidents

  • Rev. Robert J. Riedel, 1972–1976
  • Rev. Martin Dienst, 1976–1985
  • Rev. David Mulder, 1985–1991
  • Rev. Osmar Lehenbauer, 1991–1997
  • Rev. James E. Keurulainen, 1997–2012
  • Rev. Timothy Yeadon, 2012–present

Riedel was among four district presidents who were removed from office by Synod President J. A. O. Preus on April 2, 1976, for non-compliance with synodical directives on the ordination and placement of improperly endorsed ministerial candidates from Seminex.[2]

Riedel (1961–72), Mulder (1981–85), and Lehenbauer (1986–91) had all previously served as pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bristol, Connecticut.[3]

Oldest congregations

Oldest in Vermont: Community Lutheran Church, South Burlington, Vermont, 1952
Oldest in Maine: Redeemer Lutheran Church, Gorham, Maine, 1962

Largest congregations

Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.

References

  1. ↑ http://lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=456&reid=KnsCBn1FEBLwGMsPByNLiw%3d%3d&bbsys=0&bbrt=0
  2. ↑ "Concordia Historical Institute: Department of Archives and History, LCMS". chi.lcms.org.
  3. ↑ "The 125-Year History of Immanuel Lutheran Church". Immanuel Lutheran Church & School. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
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