A new RIC community: The ELCA Deaconess Community

deaconnessIt is with great JOY ReconcilingWorks welcomes its newest Reconciling in Christ community, The Deaconess Community of the ELCA/ELCIC! The following statement was presented and approved by the 2016 assembly:

“The Deaconess Community of the ELCA/ELCIC, 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 that is diverse in age and body type, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicity and race, sexual orientation and gender expression, ministerial passions, and our creative ideas about how to change the world.

“In the richness of diversity, we are unified in our commitment to proclaim the Gospel and to lives of mercy and servant leadership. 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. We commit ourselves to wholly serve all people, without exceptions. The Deaconess Community ELCA/ELCIC commits 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.”

“Through the centuries, deaconesses have served to lift up the dignity and celebrate the diversity of God’s beautiful people, compelled by Christ’s own example. I am so excited for this step of public welcome and partnership with ReconcilingWorks as one that invites us to be more deeply who we are.” – Sister Clare Josef-Maier LMHCA

Join ReconcilingWorks in welcoming and celebrating the ELCA Deaconess Community and their faithful commitment to proclaim the Gospel and to lives to mercy and servant leadership!