50 | 40 | 10
We are church. We are called. 50 | 40 | 10
Proclaiming – Reforming – Celebrating
In 2020, the ELCA is celebrating:
- the 50th anniversary of U.S. Lutheran churches' decision to ordain women, and
- continuing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ordination of the first women of color, and
- the 10th anniversary of the ELCA's decision to officially ordain people in same-gender committed relationships.
As part of this anniversary year, we lament that women have been barred from serving and have been bullied, dismissed and excluded. We also celebrate the gifts and service that women have brought to our church and our world as pastors.
Immanuel invites you into this time of “Proclaiming – Reforming – Celebrating” – please see below for the variety of ways to engage in the story of how the Holy Spirit has been at work – calling the whole church!
SALT: Theology Over Coffee
Proclaiming-Reforming-Celebrating: On the 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women
Thursday, January 21, 10 a.m.
“Proclaiming-Reforming-Celebrating: On the 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women” with Pastor Angela Fairbanks Jacobson. Please follow this link for more information: SALT: Theology Over Coffee
50th Anniversary Commemorative Worship
January 31, 9 am & 10:30 am Worship Services
Pastor Babette Chatman will preach in celebration & thanksgiving on the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women.
Pastor Babette is an Augsburg University graduate and currently serves as one of Augsburg's University Pastors. Prior to joining the campus ministry team full time in 2019, Pastor Babette served as a community collaborative partner with Campus Ministry and was the Associate Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. She also co-chaired the Mission Table on the Minneapolis Area Synod Council.
Babette offered distinctive presence and service at Redeemer Center for Life. Under her direction, Redeemer Center’s housing program developed into a highly effective and well-regarded model for resident empowerment and community building. Babette anchored Redeemer Center’s Housing and Transition Program (HAT), mentoring young adults towards healthy, confident adulthood through training in life skills, empowerment, and relationship-building with residents and organizations on a daily basis.
50th Anniversary Bible Studies
Wednesdays 11 am - 12 noon, January 27 – February 10
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81698661189?pwd=eFhTTXhEU2luaUhEbVRkU3N1aHZxUT09 Meeting ID: 816 9866 1189, Passcode: 122448
January 27 - Pastor Angela
Session 1: Leadership (Ruth 3) , and
Session 2: Proclaiming: Hard Words, Joyful Words, Faithful Witness (2 Kings 22:1-20; John 20: 11-18)
February 3 - Kim Rathjen - Session 3: Reforming: Holy Interruptions and Being Counted (Numbers 27: 1-11; Matthew 26: 6-13)
February 10 - Pastor Angela - Session 4: Celebrating: Mourning and Dancing, Telling the Story (Jeremiah 9:17-22; Exodus 15: 20-21
Women & Racial Justice Awareness
- On Ordained Women of Color: To read the stories of rostered women of color, check out "God's Faithfulness on the Journey" from the ELCA (see “Go Deeper: Other Resources” below).
- Visit Immanuel’s Racial Justice Awareness page for more possibilities during January & February: Racial Justice
Immanuel FaithBits Invitation
What women have inspired your faith? Perhaps your Sunday School teacher, your mother/grandmother/aunt/etc, female pastor, camp counselor, or friend has enriched your faith life in a particular way? Share your story with us! View this link for FaithBit submission recommendations: FaithBITs
Going Deeper: Other Resources
If you want to dig deeper…
- History: this website explores the history of the ordination decision and what came after.
- Stories/Videos: Here is a playlist of ELCA videos related to the anniversary.
- Women of Color: To read the stories of rostered women of color, check out "God's Faithfulness on the Journey."
- Articles: Living Lutheran has a series of articles reflecting on the anniversary as well!
- The Minneapolis Area Synod would have commemorated this historic occasion at the 2020 Synod Assembly, if not for COVID-19 outbreaks cancelling that event. Eventually, with the pandemic continuing, the rostered leaders of the synod were able to celebrate this anniversary during the Fall Joint Ministerium with the Saint Paul Area Synod in late October. The event was recorded and is available for viewing. A commemorative program was prepared for participants.
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America