Leader of America’s Lutherans speaks here today

The top leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is in Hawaii to join local church members in celebrating the denomination's 125th anniversary in the islands.

Bishop Mark Hanson is scheduled to speak today at Calvary-by-the-Sea Lutheran Church, 5339 Kalanianaole Highway. The 2:30 p.m. service is open to the public.

Hanson will preside at a 9 a.m. service tomorrow at Lihue Lutheran Church. The Kauai church was founded 125 years ago, the first Lutheran church in Hawaii.

Hanson is the presiding bishop of the 5 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, based in Chicago, and is president of the Lutheran World Federation, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Also participating in the celebration will be Bishop Murray Finck, head of the Pacifica Synod of the denomination.

Hanson met yesterday with a group of interfaith leaders in Honolulu.

He will speak at the annual retreat for Lutheran pastors, which will occur tomorrow through Wednesday on Kauai.