During the last week of July I attended the Concordia Deaconess annual Conference. This four-day long gathering, held at Concordia University Chicago, was themed “Back to The Basics” this year. There were chapel services, continuing education sessions, and time to connect with fellow deaconesses from across the country. This gathering is the deaconess’ version of the district gathering or the pastor’s conferences that Pastor Albers attends throughout the year.

What are the basics?

Several sessions were led by Doxology, the Lutheran center for spiritual care and counseling, on numerous topics relating to church worker wellness. They gave tools and reminders to encourage healthy habits in our work lives and spiritual self-care.

The deaconesses who presented gave in-depth reviews of topics that seem simple but were helpful to review (i.e. making a visit, working with a pastor, diaconal virtues, etc.). As we discussed ‘the basics’ this intentional review of best practices helped me to consider changes I can make or add in to make my ministry stronger. We took a deeper look at the virtues of a deaconess and why those are important for us both to exhibit and to understand as we describe diaconal ministry to others. We also reviewed best practices for doing visitations to those who are home bound or in a hospital or facility and for serving in ministry in partnership with the pastor.

My call to St. John’s

I am grateful that St. John’s has extended my call beyond the original one-year term. My call now states, as of the Voter’s Assembly this July, that I am called to serve as deaconess until an associate pastor accepts a call from St. John’s. I look forward to continuing in ministry alongside the St. John’s community this fall as I prepare for various Bible studies and activities!