Rev. Marie C. Jerge was elected in 2002 to a six-year tem as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Upstate New York Synod. She is the sixth woman to be elected as a synod bishop in the ELCA.
Jerge (YER-gee), succeeded the Rev. Lee M. Miller, who did not seek re-election after serving as bishop of the synod for 10 years.
Jerge was born in Mineola, N.Y. She earned her bachelor of arts degree from Smith College, Northhampton, Mass., and a master of divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, one of eight ELCA seminaries.
Jerge is married to the Rev. James N. Jerge, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Depew, N.Y.