About the Program

At the ELCA 2007 Churchwide Assembly the following resolution was passed overwhelmingly:

“To urge all congregations and other expressions of the ELCA to provide a welcoming and supporting environment for returning military veterans and further urge the Conference of Bishops to partner with the ELCA Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries to explore means by which this church might effectively provide healing ministries to military veterans and their families.”

We sometimes need to be reminded to welcome and care for those who are placed on the edges of society, who in essence have become strangers in our midst. A great cadre of seemingly familiar strangers has emerged, “strangers” who may be our neighbors, our loved ones, our friends, but nevertheless strangers as a result of brokenness they have experienced through the hell of war. We are called upon to welcome the strangers at our gates, not only by this resolution from the church, but by the Lord of the church when he says, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

The “Care for Returning Veterans” workshops have been developed in response to these calls. It’s not a complete response, it might well be called “Welcoming Returning Veterans 101,” but it is a first step to assist pastors, caregivers, and any who want to put out the welcome mat for our returning veterans and their families.

I urge all who read this to be actively involved in providing care and hospitality for our brothers and sisters who have been impacted by the trauma and stress of war. Please begin by increasing your awareness of the need either through participation in one of these workshops, or another local program designed to reach out to our veterans and their families.

Pastor Darrell Morton
Assistant to the Presiding Bishop for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries

Schedule and Dates [word]      [pdf]