All baptized members of the Christian faith are called into lives of love and service. Members of the diaconate are called to leadership in the formation, education, and empowerment of the baptized.

As deaconesses, we have discerned our call as one that engages people of the church and world together. We are called to serve in a wide variety of settings, depending on our passions, spiritual gifts, and education.

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” — Frederick Buechner

We serve out this vocation as teachers, counselors, administrators, health professionals, Christian educators, youth workers, information specialists, ecumenists, chaplains, musicians, and more.

We serve in congregations, synod offices, hospitals, social service agencies, outdoor ministries, caring institutions, universities, and beyond.

If you would like more information about the Deaconess Community, please contact Noreen.Stevens@elca.org.

Here are some of our stories: