Our Mission
For the sake of the Gospel and all of God’s creation,
the Deaconess Community of the ELCA fosters
intentional community,
diaconal leadership development,
and dynamic partnerships within the church and the world.
Our Vision
Compelled by the love of Christ and sustained by community,
the Deaconess Community of the ELCA works for
justice and flourishing for all of God’s creation.
Guiding Principles
We are rooted in the living Word and love of God
We are emboldened by our history
We are accountable to intentional community
We practice courageous leadership
We practice radical welcome
We practice cultivating partnerships
Statement of Welcome
The Deaconess Community of the ELCA, compelled by the love of Christ and sustained by community, recognizes and affirms the beauty of the diversity of God’s image reflected in humanity. We seek to be a community of women that is diverse in age and body type, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicity and race, sexual orientation, ministerial passions, and our creative ideas about how to change the world.
In the richness of diversity, we are unified in our commitment to work for justice and flourishing of all God’s creation. Our world can be one of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to be agents of healing and reconciliation, making us one. We better proclaim the Gospel and better serve our world when we are whole; we, therefore, are becoming a community that lifts up safety and celebration of a sisterhood for cis- and trans- women together.
The Deaconess Community of the ELCA commits
to wholly serve all people, without exceptions;
to the continued work of education and living into our guiding principle of radical welcome;
to consistently choose to become a safe space for our staff, board, all sisters and candidates who share this call, and all whom we serve.
Deaconess Community of the ELCA Assembly August 2023
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