FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Constanze Hagmaier Reelected Bishop of the ELCA South Dakota Synod
SIOUX FALLS, SD (May 30, 2025) – The Rev. Constanze Hagmaier was reelected May 30 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the synod assembly, held May 30th and 31st in Sioux Falls, SD.
The Rev. Constanze Hagmaier was re-elected on the first ballot, with 312 votes out of 376 legal votes cast. Her first term was guided by the theme Journeying Together, and was marked by the pandemic, a focus and support for rural ministry, and receiving two grants from the Lilly Foundation to support digital learning and nurturing children in faith and prayer throughout the state.
Bishop Hagmaier received her Master of Divinity degree in 1999 from Ruprecht Karl’s University in Heidelberg, Germany, and affiliated with Luther Seminary, Saint Paul, MN, after emigrating to the United States in 2000. She was ordained on February 10, 2001.
About the South Dakota Synod:
The South Dakota Synod is composed of nearly 200 congregations and worshiping communities across the state of South Dakota with over 100,000 members. The bishop serves as the synod’s pastor and is called to administer sacraments, preach, provide pastoral care, advise, ordain, advocate, interpret, and serve as the ecumenical officer. You can find out more about the South Dakota Synod at www.sdsynod.org.
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
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Media Contact:
Aaron Matson
Director of Communications
Office: 605-274-5035
