New England District Lcms Article Index for
New England
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New England
 

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New England District Lcms




The New England District is one of the , 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 32 preschools and 6 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 ; the Rev. James Keurulainen has been the district president since 1997, and was elected to a fourth term in 2006 {Link without Title} . Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers; the last convention was held on June 1-3, 2006, and the next will be held in 2009.


PRESIDENTS

  • Rev. Robert J. Riedel, 1972-76

  • Rev. Martin Dienst, 1976-85

  • Rev. David Mulder, 1985-91

  • Rev. Osmar Lehenbauer, 1991-97

  • Rev. James E. Keurulainen, 1997-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 {Link without Title} .

Riedel (1961-72), Mulder (1981-85) and Lehenbauer (1986-91) had all previously served as pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bristol, Connecticut {Link without Title} .


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 are c. 2006.


Largest in Rhode Island: Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Providence, Rhode Island , 513

Largest in New Hampshire: Grace Lutheran Church, Nashua, New Hampshire , 435

Largest in Vermont: Community Lutheran Church, South Burlington, Vermont , 378

Largest in Maine: Redeemer Lutheran Church, Gorham, Maine , 304


CONGREGATIONS AND MISSIONS

Congregations established prior to 1930, or having 600 or more members, are noted (membership figures are c. 2006); in the absence of one or both of these within a circuit, the oldest and/or largest congregation is noted.


Circuit 1 (Northeast New England)

Circuit 2 (Greater Boston )

Circuit 3 (North/West New England)

Circuit 4 (South/East New England)

Circuit 5 (Western Massachusetts)

Circuit 6 (Connecticut, Upper Central)

Circuit 7 (Connecticut, Lower Central)

Circuit 8 (Connecticut, Lower East)

Circuit 9 (Connecticut, Lower West)


EXTERNAL LINKS