Nebraska District (LCMS)

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The Nebraska District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), and comprises the state of Nebraska with the exception of its Panhandle, which is in the Wyoming District; the district also includes one congregation in Kansas. In addition, one congregation near the state's western border is in the Rocky Mountain District, and another in Lincoln is in the non-geographic English District. The Nebraska District includes approximately 243 congregations and missions, subdivided into 22 circuits, as well as 38 preschools, 39 elementary schools and 4 high schools. Baptized membership in district congregations is approximately 110,000; with the total population of the district's area (Nebraska, excepting its 11 western counties) standing at 1,674,000 as of 2005, the district's membership represents 6.5% of the local population – the highest of any of the LCMS' 33 geographical districts.

The Nebraska District was formed in September 1970 when the Northern Nebraska and Southern Nebraska Districts merged; a portion of the Northern Nebraska District was simultaneously separated to create the Wyoming District. An earlier Nebraska District had existed from 1882 to 1922, before dividing until the 1970 reorganization. District offices are located in Seward, Nebraska; the Rev. Russell Sommerfeld has been the district president since 2003, and was reelected to a second term in 2006 [1]. 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.

Concordia University, Seward, part of the LCMS' Concordia University System, is located within the district.

Contents

[edit] Presidents

  • Rev. Frederick A. Niedner, 1970–78
  • Rev. Eldor W. Meyer, 1978-91
  • Rev. Eugene V. Gierke, 1991-2003
  • Rev. Russell L. Sommerfeld, 2003-present

[edit] Oldest congregations

Only congregation in Kansas: First Lutheran Church, Summerfield, Kansas, 1947

[edit] Largest congregations

Membership totals are c. 2006.

Only congregation in Kansas: First Lutheran Church, Summerfield, Kansas, 92

[edit] 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 (Ainsworth)

Circuit 2 (Beatrice)

Circuit 3 (Columbus)

Circuit 4 (Deshler)

Circuit 5 (Falls City)

Circuit 6 (Fremont)

Circuit 7 (Grand Island)

Circuit 8 (Hastings)

Circuit 9 (Holdrege)

Circuit 10 (Kearney)

Circuit 11 (Lincoln)

Circuit 12 (McCook)

Circuit 13 (Norfolk)

Circuit 14 (Omaha, North)

Circuit 15 (Omaha, South)

Circuit 16 (Omaha, West)

Circuit 17 (Plainview)

Circuit 18 (Seward)

Circuit 19 (Wayne)

Circuit 20 (West Point)

Circuit 21 (Western Sandhills)

Circuit 22 (York)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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Districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod