The Rev. Melissa Stoller has been elected as the third bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and will replace Bishop Kurt Kusserow in September.

Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania announced Friday, June 13, that Stoller will take office on Sept. 1 and will be formally installed on Oct. 18 as bishop. Stoller has served as the synod’s director for evangelical mission and assistant to the bishop since 2017.

“Bishop-Elect Stoller shines forth the love of God in her wise, warm, pastoral spirit,” the Rev. Liddy Barlow, executive minister of the association, said.

Kusserow was first elected bishop in 2007 and will retire at the close of his third six-year term. During his tenure, he served as president of the Council of Bishops & Judicatory Executives in 2016-17 and chaired commitees for the association.