The New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America elected Rev. James E. Hazelwood as bishop over the weekend.

Rev. Hazelwood, who was elected on the fifth ballot at the synod's assembly June 9 in Springfield, Mass, will serve a six-year term.

On the fifth ballot, he received 325 votes while the Rev. Timothy R. Oslovich of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vernon, Conn., received 235 according to ELCA.

He is currently pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Charlestown, R.I. and succeeds Rev. Margaret G. Payne, who is retiring after serving two terms.

Since his ordination in 1987, Rev. Hazelwood previously served within ELCA in positions in Iowa, California and New York.

Rev. Hazelwood earned a doctorate at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. and earned a Master of Divinity Degree at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, Calif.