wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Receives Greetings from Federal Chaplains

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 14, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY RECEIVES GREETINGS FROM FEDERAL CHAPLAINS
01-CWA70-LRJ

     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 AMaking
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."

-- -- --
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