About the NWPA Synod

Our synod is comprised of 70 congregations in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania. Our territory covers all or part of 15 counties: Armstrong, Cameron, Crawford, Clarion, Elk, Erie, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, Warren, and Westmoreland.

Meet the Bishop

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).

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Contact Bishop Papson

bppapson@gmail.com | (724) 931-4848
Facebook: Search Bishop Kristen Papson
Instagram: @bishoponthemove

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Rev. Sara Cogsil

Director of Evangelical Misson and Assistant to the Bishop

The Rev. Sara Cogsil comes to the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod having served congregations and outdoor ministries in Ohio and Michigan. A graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary and Muskingum College, Pastor Cogsil loves learning and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at United Lutheran Seminary.

Within ministry, Pastor Cogsil brings a deep commitment to serving God’s people and God’s church with a passion for cultivating inclusive and life-giving faith communities. She loves preaching and leading worship, hearing the stories of the people of God, and engaging in conversations that invite us to imagine ministry in new and faithful ways.

Beyond ministry, Pastor Cogsil loves to be outdoors whether it is laying in a hammock, sitting around a fire, or going on a hike. She enjoys traveling, reading, writing and won’t say no to a coffee and a sweet treat. 

Pastor Cogsil looks forward to serving in the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod and with the ELCA and cannot wait to begin connecting with people across this church. She is excited to make Oil City her home with her wife, Gail, and, as they await the arrival of their first child in July, they look forward to discovering all that the synod and the state have to offer together.

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Meet Our Executive Committee

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Meet Our Support Staff

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Ellen Shulin-Rutherford
Office Manager

(814) 589-7660
​nwpasynodelca@gmail.com
Monday—Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also works remotely and is available by text at: (814) 758-4025

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Ann Warner, CPA
Accountant

(814) 589-7660
nwpasynod@gmail.com
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to Noon

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Meet Our Conference Council Leaders

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