First woman elected bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Spokane

The Rev. Gretchen Rehberg has been elected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane.

It is the first time a woman has been chosen to lead the 40 Episcopal churches in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be elected bishop of our diocese,” she said in a prepared statement. Only one person is elected bishop, but the work is all of ours.”

Rehberg will be ordained and consecrated as bishop in March at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane, succeeding the Rev. James Waggoner.

She has served as rector of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Lewiston since 2006.

Rehberg was among four nominees to lead the diocese. She is the 59th woman to be elected bishop of an Episcopal diocese.