Spokane Elects 9th Bishop

The Diocese of Spokane has elected the Rev. Canon Gretchen M. Rehberg, a rector from Idaho, as its ninth bishop. Rehberg was one of four nominees. She has served as rector of Church of the Nativity, Lewiston, since 2006.

Rehberg led in both orders on the first ballot and was elected on the sixth ballot. On the third through fifth ballots, Rehberg led among clergy but the Rev. Canon Lucinda Ashby, canon to the ordinary in the Diocese of Idaho, led among laity.

Rehberg is a native of Pullman, Washington. She has four degrees: a bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of the South, a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Minnesota, a master’s of divinity from General Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary.

In the 1990s, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the Swiss Institute of Technology and taught at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Rehberg discussed her ministry in a video during the diocese’s search.

In addition to Rehberg and Ashby, the other nominees were:

• The Ven. Christopher Athan Pappas, archdeacon for congregational development, Diocese of Edmonton, Alberta
• The Rev. Canon Neysa Ellgren Shepley, canon to the ordinary in the Diocese of Oregon

Spokane (Oct. 15)