MetroLutheran

Kathryn M. Lohre was installed as president of the National Council of Churches (NCC) November 9 at a service held at the Lutheran Center in Chicago. A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lohre is the first Lutheran and ELCA member to serve as president of the council and the youngest woman to serve in that role.
While her presidency marks these two historic firsts, it will also be the first time a woman succeeds a woman as president of the council. Lohre follows the Rev. Canon Peg Chemberlin, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Churches, as president of the NCC.
Lohre said her presidency also provides a unique opportunity for the ELCA. It will “visibly demonstrate [this church’s] commitment to the ecumenical vision, as well as its commitment to lifelong ecumenical formation, leadership development, and women’s leadership,” she said.
Lohre joined the ELCA churchwide staff in October as part of the ecumenical and inter-religious relations team under the leadership of the Rev. Donald McCoid, assistant to the presiding bishop, ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations.
Lohre is a summa cum laude graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and earned a Master of Divinity degree at Harvard Divinity School.

Tags: Donald McCoid, Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, ecumenism, ELCA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Harvard Divinity School, Kathryn Lohre, Kathryn M. Lohre, Lutheran, Lutheran Center, Minnesota Council of Churches, National Council of Churches, NCC, Peg Chemberlin, Rev. Canon Peg Chemberlin, Rev. Donald McCoid, St. Olaf College