The Rev. Kristen Papson of Erie, Pa., was elected June 14, 2025 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the NWPA Synod, ELCA.She is the first woman and the youngest person to be elected Bishop for the NWPA Synod. Her election took place during the 2025 synod assembly at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa. She was installed on Oct. 19, 2025 at Good Hope Lutheran Church, Oil City, Pa.Bishop Papson has served as pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Erie, Pa., since 2015 and Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Erie since 2024. Papson holds a Bachelor of Arts from Mercyhurst University in Erie and a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary).