We continue our 50·40·10 celebration with a message from Eileen Ruppel-Doan, Master Divinity Student, United Lutheran Seminary. Ruppel-Doan shares her appreciation of growing up blessed with female pastors her entire life.
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We continue our 50·40·10 celebration with a message from Pastor Lu Cantrell of Peace Lutheran Church in Morris, Illinois. Pastor Cantrell shares the special circumstances of her unique ordination.
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We continue out 50·40·10 celebration with a video from Pastor Connie Mentzer, Advent Lutheran, York, Pennsylvania. She shares her story of Bishop Eaton’s influence on her ministry.
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We continue out 50·40·10 celebration with a message from Pastor Sarah Anderson-Rajarigam, Grace Lutheran, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. She shares who helped her get where she is today.
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We continue out 50·40·10 celebration with a message from Pastor Elizabeth Ekdale, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco. Her message: Take more risks, be a prophet.
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We’ve gathered all the Grand Canyon Synod women pastors in one place—a celebratory video! With gratitude for those who have gone before and hope for the future, we give thanks to God for the ministry of women.
We celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely.
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Bishop Eaton writes: “Words matter. Words matter in our Scripture, in our hymns, in our governing documents, and beyond. Fifty years ago, on June 29, 1970, the Lutheran Church in America voted to change the word “man” to “person” in its bylaws and opened the door for the ordination of women. The American Lutheran Church achieved the same thing by resolution a few months later. The church was led by the Spirit to change. At the time it was scary for some. Fifty years later, it is now part of our heritage.”
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With gratitude for those who have gone before and hope for the future, the ELCA gives thanks to God for the ministry of women. In 2019 and 2020 we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely. Scroll through this timeline (PDF) to view milestones and reflections.
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With gratitude for those who have gone before and hope for the future, the ELCA gives thanks to God for the ministry of women. Watch this moving video as we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States.
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In 2019 and 2020 we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely.
We lament that women have been barred from serving and have been bullied, dismissed and excluded. We also celebrate the gifts and service that women have brought to our church and our world as pastors.
Congregations are encouraged to hold commemorative events throughout the year! Resources are available to help congregations observe these anniversaries.
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