Wilma Kucharek

, PA. Before her ordination as a pastor, (Sister) Kucharek was consecrated as a deaconess by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. She served as pastor of Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Mahanoy City, PA, from 1982 to 1986; St. John Lutheran Church, St. Clair, PA, from 1982 to 1986; and St. John Lutheran Church, Nanticoke, PA, from 1983 to 1986. Kucharek is the first woman bishop of Slovak descent.

Bishop Kucharek served on the board of the ELCA's Division for Global Mission for 5 years, and as its secretary from 2001 to 2002 when she resigned to accept a call as bishop. [https://archive.elca.org/assembly/03/unitreports/307DGMfinal.pdf] In 2000 she was one five in a National Council of Churches Ecumenical Delegation Of Women To North Korea. [http://www.ncccusa.org/news/00news80.html]

Bishop Kucharek is married to The Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Drobena. Together, they have been co-pastors at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Torrington, Connecticut, since 1986. She and Rev. Drobena are co-authors of the book "Heritage of the Slavs," and translators of "Evangelical Churches in Slovakia" as well as authoring numerous other works and articles. They are the parents of two sons: Thomas and Joshua. [http://www.valpo.edu/valpomag/archive/pdf/Vol.19%20No.%202%20Spring%202003.pdf]