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Diaconal Ministry - Canadian Connections from 1912-2023

The many ministries of Sister Anne Keffer

In this video, one of two in a companion set, Stephen Larson interviews Sister Anne Keffer  who recalls experiences as a Diaconal Minister working across Canada in emerging ecumenism/multi-faith ministry, parish, camp and Campus Ministry as well in the role of Directing Deaconess of the Deaconess Community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) also serving the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). 


Anne's life growing up on the farm in the 1940s set her up well for young adult life in Luther League and Camp development then leading to her B.A. from Waterloo Lutheran University College (1963) and consecration as a Deaconess in 1964. Sister Anne achieved her B.Ed. (1975) and M.Ed. (1977) from the University of Western Ontario, and then her Staff Associate training in 1993-1994 from Loyola in Guelph. Anne completed her doctorate  (D.Min) in Spiritual Direction from Graduate Theological Foundation in Donaldson Indiana (2001). 

Diaconal Ministry: Anne Keffer

 In this video, one of two in a companion set, Sister Anne Keffer is interviewed by Sister Michelle Collins, Deacon Scott Knarr and Deacon Sherry Coman regarding Sister Anne's life of diakonia. These four ELCIC leaders who are all active in Diaconal Ministries in Canada, join together in mutual conversation spanning from history to hopes for the future. 


As Anne, from her palliative care suite, tells it like it has been in her experience, viewers get a sense of her wisdom, her sense of urgency to share the Good News, her many passions and her abiding faith.   


In this video, the legacy Anne inherited from her mother who "told her the stories", and her father and sister who invested in her calling into "God's service" is front and center as Anne passes on the faith to her colleagues and all viewers urging us to enter into diakonia service like Jesus.  


In the closing, Sister Anne offers a prayer of blessing as Stephen Larson (Script Developer and Editor) and Karen Kuhnert (Producer and A/V Editor join in).

Diaconal Ministry in Photos - right click the image and ask for "open image in new tab"

 Installation of Directing Deaconess, ELCA chapel, Chicago: Rev. Dr. Rebecca Larson (Executive Director of Church and Society, ELCA), Rev. Dr. Stan Olson (Executive Director of Division for Ministry, ELCA), Sister Dr. Anne Keffer and Bishop Ray Schultz ELCIC.

    Writings of Note - click on the underlined portion

    by Gordon Jensen

    by Lisa Chisholm-Smith

    by Gretchen Peterson

     The Diaconal Church: Anglican and Lutheran Perspectives 

    by Gretchen Peterson

    by Lisa Chisholm-Smith

    by Gretchen Peterson

    My Sense of Call as a Deacon 

    by Lisa Chisholm-Smith

    by Lisa Chisholm-Smith

    by Lisa Chisholm-Smith

     My Ministry as a Deacon 

    by Michelle Collins

    by Michelle Collins

    by Lisa Chisholm-Smith

     Models of a Diaconal Church 

    by Maylanne Maybee

    by Michelle Collins

    by Maylanne Maybee


    The Marks of a Diaconal Church 

    by Iain Luke

    by Michelle Collins

    by Maylanne Maybee

     
    Practising Our Diaconal Ecclesiology: An Anglican Perspective 


    by Michael Jackson

    by William H. Harrison

    by William H. Harrison

     
    The Diaconate in the Anglican and Lutheran Traditions: An Anglican Perspective 

    by William H. Harrison

    by William H. Harrison

    by William H. Harrison


    Theological Education in a Diaconal Church 

    More Images Available

    The ULCA Archives has a Great Flickr Account - Seek out Canadian Connections with the Search Bar

     

    Back Row: Velma Pomrenke, Lois Stormfeltz, Ester Brose, Bernice Pantel, Shelia Radtke, Rosanna Carr, Doris Engel, Janet Hoover
    Front Row: Dorothy Stalder, Anne Bell, Grace Faber, Mildred McClemen, Alice Bald, Sally Tschumi, Ruth Hobbs, Arlene Shumaker

    More Images With Names Here

    Developing a Timeline on Diversities in Diaconal Ministry

    Sr. Ella Koch - Philadelphia: Provisional in 1908, Graduated 1914, Consecrated 1915

    Sr. Ella Koch - Philadelphia: Provisional in 1908, Graduated 1914, Consecrated 1915

    Sr. Ella Koch - Philadelphia: Provisional in 1908, Graduated 1914, Consecrated 1915



    Sr. Janice Drews, Missouri Synod, LCIC Directory

    Sr. Ella Koch - Philadelphia: Provisional in 1908, Graduated 1914, Consecrated 1915

    Sr. Ella Koch - Philadelphia: Provisional in 1908, Graduated 1914, Consecrated 1915









    Sr. Florence Weicker Baltimore, Consecrated and working in Canada Synod in 1946

    Sr. Ella Koch - Philadelphia: Provisional in 1908, Graduated 1914, Consecrated 1915

    Sr. Florence Weicker Baltimore, Consecrated and working in Canada Synod in 1946



    Lila De Waal,

    Sr. Helen Erikson, Immanuel, Omaha

    Sr. Florence Weicker Baltimore, Consecrated and working in Canada Synod in 1946

    Biographical Details Pending:  2003 p. 160 

    Sr. Helen Erikson, Immanuel, Omaha

    Sr. Helen Erikson, Immanuel, Omaha

    Sr. Helen Erikson, Immanuel, Omaha

    Biographical Details Pending

    ELCIC Yearbook Deaconesses/Diaconal Ministers 1988-2002

    Sr. Anna Brandt

    Sr. Frieda Kiel - Immanuel, Omaha

    Sr. Joan Cole (1988 Cole-Heine)

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Joan Cole (1988 Cole-Heine)

    Sr. Frieda Kiel - Immanuel, Omaha

    Sr. Joan Cole (1988 Cole-Heine)

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Anne Keffer, Baltimore

    Sr. Frieda Kiel - Immanuel, Omaha

    Sr. Frieda Kiel - Immanuel, Omaha

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Frieda Kiel - Immanuel, Omaha

    Sr. Frieda Kiel - Immanuel, Omaha

    Sr. Frieda Kiel - Immanuel, Omaha

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Laufrey Olson

    Sr. Ginger Patchen

    Sr. Ginger Patchen

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Ginger Patchen

    Sr. Ginger Patchen

    Sr. Ginger Patchen

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Valerie Sander

    Sr. Ginger Patchen

    Sr. Valerie Sander

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Linda Wedman

    Sr. Ginger Patchen

    Sr. Valerie Sander

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Monika Denk

    Sr. Debra Johnston

    Sr. Susan Lembke

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Susan Lembke

    Sr. Debra Johnston

    Sr. Susan Lembke

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Debra Johnston

    Sr. Debra Johnston

    Sr. Debra Johnston

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Frieda Gatzke

    Sr. Debra Johnston

    Sr. Debra Johnston

    Biographical Details Pending

    ELCIC Yearbook Entries for Deaconesses/Diaconal Ministers 88

    Sr. Esther Brose

    Sr. Esther Brose

    Sr. Esther Brose

    Biographical Details Pending

    Eleanor Damkar

    Sr. Esther Brose

    Sr. Esther Brose

    Biographical Details Pending

    LeRoy Haynes

    Sr. Esther Brose

    Connie Landstrom

    Biographical Details Pending

    Connie Landstrom

    Sr. Esther Brose

    Connie Landstrom

    Biographical Details Pending

    Margarate Olson

    Lily-Linda Slobod

    Lily-Linda Slobod

    Biographical Details Pending

    Lily-Linda Slobod

    Lily-Linda Slobod

    Lily-Linda Slobod

    Biographical Details Pending

    Cameron Befus

    Lily-Linda Slobod

    Cameron Befus

    Biographical Details Pending

    Marie Frick

    Lily-Linda Slobod

    Cameron Befus

    Biographical Details Pending

    Pamela Harrington

    Sr. Elizabeth Chittim, Missouri Synod, LCIC Directory 1990

    Sr. Elfriede Hilchier

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Elfriede Hilchier

    Sr. Elizabeth Chittim, Missouri Synod, LCIC Directory 1990

    Sr. Elfriede Hilchier

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Faith Reiner Missouri Synod, LCIC Directory 1987

    Sr. Elizabeth Chittim, Missouri Synod, LCIC Directory 1990

    Sr. Elizabeth Chittim, Missouri Synod, LCIC Directory 1990

    Biographical Details Pending

    Sr. Elizabeth Chittim, Missouri Synod, LCIC Directory 1990

    Sr. Elizabeth Chittim, Missouri Synod, LCIC Directory 1990

    Sr. Elizabeth Chittim, Missouri Synod, LCIC Directory 1990

    Biographical Details Pending

    Or Check out Canadians in the Deaconess Photo Albums

    Or Check out Canadians in the Deaconess Photo Albums

    Or Check out Canadians in the Deaconess Photo Albums

     

    Canadaian Sister Alice Bald (later Missionary Alice (Bald) Lang) leads the Luther League Executive in a photo from the Baltimore Motherhouse Album

    More Images With Names Here

    Here is the "LCA Deaconess Community" Album

    Or Check out Canadians in the Deaconess Photo Albums

    Or Check out Canadians in the Deaconess Photo Albums

    This one album has 937 Images

    Search the images

    Or Check out Canadians in the ELCA Archivesin all aspects of life and minsitry

    Or Check out Canadians in the ELCA Archivesin all aspects of life and minsitry

    Or Check out Canadians in the ELCA Archivesin all aspects of life and minsitry

     

    Diaconal Ministers can be found by searching for names. Here Anne Keffer is presenting to the National Convention, a less specific album.

    Diaconal Ministers Search

    Here are "Philadelphia" and Mary J. Drexel images

    Or Check out Canadians in the ELCA Archivesin all aspects of life and minsitry

    Or Check out Canadians in the ELCA Archivesin all aspects of life and minsitry

    This album has almost 400 imagess including a trip by Canadian and American Deaconesses to the original Deaconess Motherhouse started by Fliedner in Kaiserwerth, Germany. The Album is identified as:  ULCA 60/13/x Mary J. Drexel Home and Philadelphia Motherhouse of Deaconesses, Non-ULCA Diaconate slides, ca 1950s. 

    Search the images

    Where to Find Information

    The ELCA Archives

    Digital Online Canadian Archives: Documents & Images

    Biographies of Deaconesses, Diaconal Ministers

     References to Diaconal Ministry for Canada historically may be found in the Archives of the ELCA in the United States as the Diaconal Movement on the continent has been organized largely as a North America-wide movement.

    Under "Deaconess" or "Deaconesses" the Archives has 495 items to investigate. 

     

    Under the Subject Title of "Deacon" the ELCA Archives has 26 items to investigate. 


    Under the term "Diaconal" the ELCA Archives has 40 items. 

    See: https://ar.elca.org/webcat/request/DoMenuRequest?SystemName=Archives+of+the+Evangelical+Lutheran+Church+in+America&UserName=wa+public&Password=&UniqueID=0&TemplateProcessID=6000_20820_6086&bCachable=1&MenuName=Public+keyword+search&ControlLoc=T&ControlPer=20&_ga=2.233057822.1221840938.1674054034-490473538.1674054034

    Find out more

    Biographies of Deaconesses, Diaconal Ministers

    Digital Online Canadian Archives: Documents & Images

    Biographies of Deaconesses, Diaconal Ministers

    The subject term: Deaconesses - Lutheran Church - Directories.  relates to a publication on the stacks in Waterloo  that provides content related to Diaconal Ministry as prepared by the Gladwyne, Pennsylvania: Lutheran Deaconess Community, 1991. The work features "Biographical sketches of the deaconesses..." The publication can be accessed by searching the author "Frederick S. Weiser , Pioneers of God's Future." This publication has been recommended by Anne Keffer and includes American and Canadian biographies:  https://ocul-wlu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma9928049043505156&context=L&vid=01OCUL_WLU:WLU_DEF&lang=en&search_scope=Laurier_Guelph_Waterloo&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=LaurierWaterlooGuelph&query=any,contains,Pioneers%20of%20God%27s%20Future

    Find out more

    Digital Online Canadian Archives: Documents & Images

    Digital Online Canadian Archives: Documents & Images

    Digital Online Canadian Archives: Documents & Images

    Laurier Archives provides online access to significant collections of materials on Diaconal Ministry, Deaconesses, Deacons...


    As of January 2023, 

    "Deaconess" = 47 items

    "Deacon" = 58 items (though a few are a surname

    "Diacon" = 15 items and leads to "diaconate" and "diaconal"


    https://images.ourontario.ca/Laurier/results?q=Deaconess&st=kw


    Digitized items show evidence of how Diaconal Ministry was on the agenda for Canadian Lutherans as can be seen in the 1914 report of the 11th Luther League convention by Rev. M. J. Bieber. in The Canada Lutheran.

    Find out more

    Canadian Digital Documents for Downloading

    Canadian Hard Copy Documents Searchable through the work of Laurier Archives

    Digital Online Canadian Archives: Documents & Images

    Through Laurier Archives, historical documents are available online, such as the program guide for the May 19, 1963, Baccalaureate Service for Margaret Kreller and Anne Keffer (General Pre-Theological Program, Waterloo University College) as well as for those receiving degrees, diplomas and certificates from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary.

    Find out more

    Canadian Hard Copy Documents Searchable through the work of Laurier Archives

    Canadian Hard Copy Documents Searchable through the work of Laurier Archives

    Canadian Hard Copy Documents Searchable through the work of Laurier Archives

    Information on Diaconal Ministry in Canada can be found through many different Finding Aids at Laurier Archives. It is best to contact the staff and ask for support.


    Details on Diaconal Ministry within the Church Bodies can be found, for example, in the Minute Books - e.g. 1947 Minutes of the 85th Annual Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Canada (Canada Synod) p. 20 reports on Florence Weicker as "First Deaconess" (Baltimore) to serve in a Canadian Lutheran congregation." She was preceded in training by other Canadians who did not return to Canada to serve.


    Details on Diaconal Ministry can also be found within the Congregational Records. See for example, the Finding Aid for St.  John's Lutheran Church (Waterloo, ON) fonds (S2077)  : https://libarchives.wlu.ca/downloads/new-st-johns-lutheran-church-waterloo-on-fonds.pdf


    Understanding what is meant by the terms in context is key.

    The Canada Lutheran (that began in 1912) was at first a publication "in the interest of English Lutheranism in Canada, by the Authority of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Central Canada." The St. Lawrence Lutherans had the tradition of the "elders and deacons" from the time Governor Simcoe gave the local "elders and deacons" a license of occupation for their church in 1793.


    The October 1912 (Vol 1. No. 4) edition of The Canada Lutheran deals with Deacons in the context of a congregational constitution for St. Peters OTTAWA, in a way that is different than the May 1912 Minutes of the Women's Missionary Society of St. Peter's CAMBRIDGE.


    In Cambridge, the affirmation of women as "missionaries and deaconesses" is explicitly noted in the handwritten and transcribed Constitution of the Women's Missionary Society of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church [CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO], May 22, 1912.  This is a reference to "deaconesses" who will serve in the professional sense such as women who train at a Motherhouse for professional ministry. 


    Alternately, the publication of the constitution of St. Peters Ottawa by the Synod of Central Canada (English) as an example constitution includes Articles related to "Deacons" more in keeping with the role referred to by Governor Simcoe and these Articles would not refer to those trained for professional service such as at a Motherhouse.


    1912 congregational constitution reference at: https://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/WLU/0024149621T.PDF


    1912 local Mission Society constitution (auxiliary to the congregation) at:  https://images.ourontario.ca/Laurier/2686480/data?n=1 and its objective reads: 

    "Its object shall be to zealously aid the Women's Missionary Society of the Synod and of the General Council in prosecuting the great work at home and abroad by developing the missionary activity of its own members, and of the congregation to which it belongs. This shall be done by discussions at its meetings, by circulating missionary literature, by seeking out devoted women to become missionaries or deaconesses, and if possible by annually conducting an every-member canvass of the congregation for an offering for missions."

    Searchable Publications at Laurier Archives

    Canadian Hard Copy Documents Searchable through the work of Laurier Archives

    Canadian Hard Copy Documents Searchable through the work of Laurier Archives

    The original publication called The Canada Lutheran began in July 1912, As such, it dates back to the time before the 1918 (re)union of the General Synod and General Council in the form of the ULCA or United Lutheran Church in America (which after 1918 included the Augustana Synod). 


    The story of Deaconess Ella Koch is worth noting in this regard.  In the 1913 Handbook of the Mary J. Drexel Home and Philadelphia Motherhouse (available online) Ella Koch (later Sister Ella Koch) entered professional training as a Probationer Deaconess in 1908, See p. 7  https://ia800900.us.archive.org/26/items/handbookofmaryjd00mary/handbookofmaryjd00mary.pdf  


    The 1920 American Census records Sister Ella at the Philadelphia Motherhouse as a Deaconess whose occupation was "nurse" and indicates that she was born in Canada. Weiser's Directory indicates that Sister Ella served through the Philadelphia Motherhouse of Deaconesses from 1915-1923 and concurs with family histories in Ancestry.ca note that Ella M. Koch was born in the United States. 


    Sister Ella was claimed in the Centennial Publication by St. Matthews Berlin/Kitchener as a "consecrated daughter" of the congregation which was part of the Canada Synod of the General Council. 


    The 1913 Deaconess history includes the following: "The institution is connected with the Lutheran Church (General Council), inasmuch as the Pastor must be a member of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, and annually reports to that body on the work of the Motherhouse. The inmates of the house constitute a congregation, in which the Pastor performs all ministerial acts. Pastor and Oberin together constitute the Directory of the Motherhouse with all its branches.  A Deaconess is a Christian woman (unmarried, or widow without children) who, from love to her Lord and in gratitude to her Saviour, has made it her life-work to serve Him in His poor and needy members, and who, in order to carry out this vocation of ministering love, has voluntarily joined the Deaconess Motherhouse, performing her functions under its direction and retaining her membership in it as long as she serves the Lord in this ministry. Deaconesses are called Sisters because of their fellowship of faith and love in Christ as the daughters of one Motherhouse, and because they are to minister to those who are committed to their care, in true sisterly love. To designate their office, the Sisters wear a special garb which is, however, not the habit of an order. This garb or habit is meant to be nothing more than a dignified, practical, plain, and inexpensive dress, not subject to the changes of fashion, and corresponding in the main to the plain attire in vogue during the first half of this century, when the Female Diaconate was revived. The habit is of value not only because of its neatness, but also because it secures to the Sisters a large measure of support and protection in their work. In the Sisterhood are Nursing Sisters, Teaching Sisters, and Parish Sisters, according to the three principal spheres of their ministry, the care of the sick and the needy, the instruction and training of the young, and the assistance of pastors in such work as these may assign them. (p.  13).


    Koch is noted in Weiser's Directory as serving at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia from 1915-1923. In this work Koch is not referenced as a Canadian Deaconess, perhaps because Weiser thought her to be born in the United States.


    The November 1914 edition of The Canada Lutheran highlights the tour of Guest Speaker Rev. P. W. Rath, of the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Motherhouse of Deaconesses speaking on "Deaconess Work" through Eastern Canada (Montreal, Ottawa, Berlin/Kitchener) and to various audiences including the Sunday School Institute.

    Check Out Church and Secular Sources

    Learning More About Canadian Diaconal Ministers

    Learning More About Canadian Diaconal Ministers

    Learning More About Canadian Diaconal Ministers

    Information on Diaconal Ministers and Diaconal Ministries are found in a variety of places - so it is worth contacting Laurier Archives.



    Laurier Archives holds the Church Records including Minute Books by year which hint at the focus for the years in context and across time


    Eg. 1947


    CHURCH RECORDS regarding Professional Training

    The Canada Synod Deaconess Committee Report in the 1947 Minutes of the Canada Synod indicates that Waterloo College and the Baltimore Motherhouse have an arrangement regarding theological training in Canada before leaving for the US, and "an arrangement is also pending between our College and the Philadelphia Motherhouse.". 


    "At present our synod has Miss Selma Lemp of Baden attending the Baltimore Motherhouse. This fall Miss Bertha Becker will enter the same institution as a Junior. Also Miss Leona Nabert and Miss Hazel Prensler, who have been attending Waterloo College, will enter training as parish workers in the fall."


    Non-CHURCH RECORDS regarding Professional Life

      The Alumni Notes section of the December 1950  Waterloo College Cord of  follows up with post-graduation news for the graduates in 1950: "Three members of this graduating class are doing church work on full-time basis: Leona Nabert is serving as parish worker at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Kitchener; Hazel Prensler is parish worker for the Synod of Nova Scotia with headquarters  at Bridgewater; Sister Bertha Becker, who was consecrated as deaconess at the United Lutheran Church Convention in Des Moines in October, is serving with the Lutheran Synod of Western Canada.." See  https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1106&context=thecord


    Non-CHURCH RECORDS regarding Life and Ministry

    1947 "Alumni Notes" on Florence Weicker and Selma Lemp from April 1947, reads:  

     "About two months ago, January 26th to be exact, two girls arrived in New York for the beginning of five-day visit. One was Sister Florence Weicker, Waterloo College student two years ago. Sister Florence is in training at the Baltimore Lutheran Motherhouse, Baltimore, Md., and will graduate this spring as full-fledged deaconess. Upon graduation she will be coming to Kitchener to serve as parish deaconess in St. Matthew's Lutheran Congregation. Sister Florence says, "It will be nice to live at home and be with my friends." "Home" is 281 Wellington North. 


    The other was Selma Lemp. Selma, who hails from Baden, is also in training at the Baltimore Motherhouse. She attended Waterloo during the two school years '44, '45 and '46. Selma will return to Waterloo next fall for the completion of her course. She will then be a qualified parish worker ready to enter into the social and educational work of the church. But it seems to me we were talking about a trip. We'll tag along and see what happens. It begins on Sunday, high-lighted by the hearing of an address by Dr. Martin Niemoeller at service from which more than thousand people were turned away. Also, late Sunday evening, there were few moments of confusion in the New York subway with the result that two girls were separated for short while. Now Selma can say with pride that she was in New York's Time's Square all by herself on late Sunday evening even though she was under it down in the subway. 


    Monday, among other things, Sister Florence and Selma saw the opera "II Trovatoro". Tuesday saw a grand inspection tour of Rockefeller Centre, including the witnessing of program of the National Broadcasting Company. Tuesday night our busy sightseers marveled at the Sonja Henie's Ice Show in Madison Square Gardens. Wednesday they went to the Radio City Music Hall, and saw The Yearling, followed by an extravagant program of orchestra, ballet, organ and trained puppy dog. They also visited the Hayden Planetarium. By this time the two had eaten in several exotic restaurants including the Stockholm Smorgasbord Restaurant and the Miyako Japanese Restaurant. 

    Information in Public Print Media

    Learning More About Canadian Diaconal Ministers

    Learning More About Canadian Diaconal Ministers

    The online version of the Waterloo College Cord, for example,  is searchable from a home computer. It is one of many "public" sources for information in addition to a general Google Search. 


    Laurier Archives holds many kinds of Archival Records which the staff are very familiar with and they are also research librarians who can help you with research design.


    For example, the university Student Paper


    April 1947, p. 7 "Alumni Notes" (as quoted opposite) : 


    May 1948: "The church needs more pastors, deaconesses, parish workers, and missionaries. From everywhere the call comes for more men and women to labour for Christ." See https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1097&context=thecord


    May, 1949: "Characters at College" features Deaconess Alice Bald while she was a student in May 1949:, see p. 15: 

     https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1500&context=thecord


    December 1950: The Alumni Notes section of the December 1950  Waterloo College Cord of  follows up with post-graduation news for the graduates in 1950: "Three members of this graduating class are doing church work on full-time basis: Leona Nabert is serving as parish worker at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Kitchener; Hazel Prensler is parish worker for the Synod of Nova Scotia with headquarters  at Bridgewater; Sister Bertha Becker, who was consecrated as deaconess at the United Lutheran Church Convention in Des Moines in October, is serving with the Lutheran Synod of Western Canada.." See  https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1106&context=thecord


    November 1953: The Cord Feature Article: "SCHOOL WITH A DIFFERENCE" written by Sister Alice Bald and Shirley Lohnes. See pp. 7, 21: Cord "EDITOR'S NOTE: Now attending Waterloo College, two graduates from Baltimore Lutheran Deaconess School, describe from experience, the life of the girls who are preparing for full-time Christian Service."

    https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1115&context=thecord


    December 1953: The advancement of women in professions including the training of women for the diaconate is referenced in Dr. Ulrich Leupold's tribute to Helmut Lehmann at Lehmann's departure. See pp. 11-12    https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2385&context=thecord


    November 1954: Deaconesses are affirmed as welcome and attending Chapel services by Dr. Houser, see p. 13 https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1117&context=thecord


    April 1962: The Philadelphia Associates in Deaconess Services (AIDS) program is featured and promoted. Suggesting that an arrangement with Philadelphia was achieved by 1962 . See p. 2  https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2414&context=thecord



    Diversity in Diakonia

    Deaconess Jone Cole-Heine

    DOTAC (Diakonia of the Americas and Caribbean)

    1849 Deaconess Motherhouse in Pittsburgh - the first workplace of Deaconesses in North America

    1849 Deaconess Motherhouse in Pittsburgh - the first workplace of Deaconesses in North America

    Here Deaconess Joan Cole-Heine addresses the delegates to the 2002 DOTAC Conference in Winnipeg. Images of Cole-Heine's years in parish ministry with Holy Cross Lutheran in Inuvik, Northwest Territories,. can be found at the Provincial Archives in Alberta.. INcluding are sermons by Cezar Heine translated into Inuvialuktun by Donald Kaglik contributing to the preservation and resurgence  of the Inuit dialect.

    DOTAC on FLICKR

    1849 Deaconess Motherhouse in Pittsburgh - the first workplace of Deaconesses in North America

    1849 Deaconess Motherhouse in Pittsburgh - the first workplace of Deaconesses in North America

    1849 Deaconess Motherhouse in Pittsburgh - the first workplace of Deaconesses in North America

    In the ELCA Archives FLICKR Album called "Institute of Protestant Deaconesses" the  Milwaukee Wisconsin Deaconess efforts are featured: https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157615624977061/with/3383525840/


    In the Album called ""LCA Deaconess Community the Deaconess home at Gladwyn is featured: https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157615859696340


    In the Album called "Norwegian Lutheran Deaconesses" Minneapolis Deaconesses are featured: https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157615719089288

    Diaconal Ministers get advanced education for specialized service

    1849 Deaconess Motherhouse in Pittsburgh - the first workplace of Deaconesses in North America

    Diaconal Ministers get advanced education for specialized service

    There are 1675 Images in the Flickr Album for the "Baltimore Motherhouse of Deaconesses." These show the nursing (hospital) legacy and parish ministry.

     

    See also:

    Lutheran Deaconess Hospital Chicago: https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157607905387710


    Norwegian Lutheran Deaconess Home and Hospital, Brooklyn: 

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157607912226307


    Omaha Immanuel Deaconess Institute: https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157607886943051

    Deaconess Centers - A Place For Clergy to Teach and Learn

    The Philadelphia Motherhouse of Deaconesses had Canadian men and women as students and teachers. See: (Cord April, 1934, p. 1): https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1462&context=thecord.

     Beginning in the 1930s, some graduates from the Lutheran College and also the Seminary in Waterloo, did their next academic "steps" in Philadelphia including at Mt. Airy/Philadelphia in connection with the Deaconess training Centre. According to the Waterloo College Cord, Brothers Fred Goos (Waterloo '31) and Walter Goos (Waterloo '30), notably both nephews of Juergen Goos of the Seminary in Saskatoon, as well as Art Buehlow (Waterloo '30) all moved on to study at Philadelphia. 


    In 1934, Fred Goos was "Called to the Motherhouse Staff" with duties at the Lankenau General Hospital, the Children's Hospital, and the Mary J. Drexel Home for the Aged."  Fred writes: in October, 1934, "Since July lst I am Assistant Pastor at the Mary J. Drexel Home and the Philadelphia Motherhouse of Deaconess. The duties· of the office are many but diversified. They include preaching-bilingual-, teaching visitation in the Old Folks Home and hospitals - General and Childrens- conducting Matins and Vespers during the week, occassional editorial work and general ministrations which belong to the pastoral office. This work gives me many opportunities of studying human nature in all its forms since I am dealing with all classes and ages-doctors, nurses, deaconesses, patients, old folk and school girls. The work also brings me in contact with many of he leaders of the Church and various institutions of the Church where our Sisters are in charge. Am I in "active" ministry? Call sometime between 6 a.m. and midnight when I am at work and see for yourself.      

     Frederick H. Goos

    Fred Goos (top right), is pictured here with classmate Gerald Hagey, later founding president of the University of Waterloo (lower left). The obituary below addresses Fred's career with the International Deaf Community.

     "In Christian Memory"

    The Rev. Frederick H. Goos died on March 11, 1981.  Pastor Goos was born in Walkerton, Ontario in 1904. He attended Waterloo College, Ontario and the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia. He was ordained in 1934 and served as Assistant Pastor at the Mark J. Dexel Deaconess Home, Gladwyne, Pa.

    From 1937 until 1943 he was pastor of Zion. Lutheran Church; Eggharbor City, N.J.. Pastor Goos then began his chaplaincy ministry as the Service Pastor to Military personnel for the National Lutheran Council in Newport News, Virginia from 1943 to 1947.   From 1947 to 1979 Pastor Goos served as Chaplain for the Board of Social Ministry, Lutheran Church In America. He served as Pastor of St. Philip's Congregation (Deaf) which met at Ascension Church. ...


    For Pastor Goos, we offer Thanks to God.


    From The Good News newsletter Delaware Valley L.C. Deaf, Pastor Joe Varsany in the  Official Publication of the International Lutheran Deaf Association & the Board for Missions of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

    Key Publications and Timeline Coming - Contact Karen Kuhnert

    Files coming soon.

    Recommended Reading

    Recommended by Sister Anne Keffer

    The link to Judy Whaley's history is under repair, in the interim see: :


    https://dwfmembers.org/north-america/canada-diaconal-ministers-of-the-evangelical-lutheran-church-in-canada-elcic/


    Geography and Ethnicity - Contexts

    The 1849 Deaconess Motherhouse in Pittsburgh was - the first workplace of Diaconal Ministers in North America. It was launched after an ill William Passavant travelled to the "Kaiserwerther Diakonie" Institute in Europe in 1847. There Passavant met Theodor Fliedner, his wife Friederike and the Deaconneses of the Institute in Kaiserwerth. Notably Henry Melchior Muhlenberg had been trained at a Halle Orphanage before coming to North America one hundred years earlier in 1742.

    In the ELCA Archives FLICKR see the collection on Lutheran Deaconesses and Diaconal Ministry in North America.


    Institute of Protestant Deaconesses, featuring the Milwaukee Wisconsin Deaconesses

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157615624977061/with/3383525840/


    Bethesda, St. Paul, Minnesota

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157615719071532


    Bethpage, Axtell, Nebraska

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157615719032190


    Baltimore Motherhouse of Deaconesses

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157607879659948


    Philadelphia Motherhouse of Deaconesses

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157607879639934




    DANISH Eben-Ezer, Brush, Colorado

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157615719348718


    SWEDISH Augustana Omaha Immanuel Deaconess Institute

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157607886943051 


    NORWEGIAN Lutheran Deaconess Hospital, Chicago

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157607905387710


    NORWEGIAN Lutheran Deaconess Home and Hospital, Brooklyn

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/albums/72157607912226307

    Coming Soon

    1 (pdf)Download
    2 (pdf)Download
    3 (pdf)Download
    1987 DTEL pp 220-224 Anne Keffer Vice Chair (pdf)Download
    5 (pdf)Download

    Coming Soon

    1989 DTEL Report pp 277-285 (pdf)Download
    2 (pdf)Download
    3 (pdf)Download
    4 (pdf)Download
    5 (pdf)Download

    Coming Soon

    1991 This Church Shall Have Pastors, Bishops, Diaconal Ministers," ; "one ordained ministry" p36-37 (pdf)Download
    1991 DTEL Report 312-318, Anne Keffer on Division (pdf)Download
    1993 DTEL pp 276-283 (pdf)Download
    1993 Diaconal Ministry Guidelines 284-289 (pdf)Download
    5 (pdf)Download

    Coming Soon

    1995 DTEL Guidelines for Diaconal Ministry pp 41-44 (pdf)Download
    1997 TEL Interim Working Group pp 274-276 (pdf)Download
    1999 Working Group on Mission pp 153-154 (pdf)Download
    2001 Working Group On Leadership for Ministry pp151-152 (pdf)Download
    2003 Guidelines for Call p. 167 (pdf)Download
    Program Committee for Leadership for Ministry 56-57 (pdf)Download

    Copyright © Remembering Today For The Church Of Tomorrow Project (Canadian Lutheran History).This site is developed with the presumption of grace. It relies on the documents of many sources and the opinions of many individuals..  Should you have concerns about any of our content please contact us. 

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