INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Brigadier General, David H. Webb, an ELCA chaplain, greeted the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America churchwide assembly on behalf of the federal chaplaincies program on Aug 14.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center. There are about 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
ELCA chaplains work in federal prisons, Veterans Administration hospitals and the Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard). You can also find ELCA chaplains serving in state prisons and local hospitals, but these chaplains are called by their own synod's church council rather than the church council of the ELCA.
According to Webb, federal chaplains have all of the same responsibilities of any other ELCA pastor: to preach the gospel, lead worship, administer the sacraments, marry, counsel, teach and bury the dead. In addition, federal chaplains advise government leaders (wardens, military commanders, doctors and nurses) on how to uphold the spiritual life of prisoners, patients, staff members and military personnel.
"We are the visible reminder of the holy, the opportunity for peace and reconciliation," Webb said, "we are very, very proud to serve on your behalf."
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Information about assembly actions is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded
updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
