ECUMENICAL DEACON GROUP FOR THE ELCA (EDGE)

The group of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Deacons became a member group of DOTAC in November 2018.  This community was formed following roster changes in the ELCA. 

In 2018 and 2019, Deacons in all nine Regions of the ELCA held gatherings.  These times of connecting and learning explored the dimensions of the Roster changes.

All Deacons in the ELCA have been invited to join the Ecumenical Group and the group is growing.  A will take time and intention to grow this group.  Time and intentional effort is being put into growing the group.  Infrastructure is being created, and volunteers have been recruited for fiscal, secretarial and convening responsibilities.  Conversation is being held about a “national” gathering of Deacons before the ELCA Rostered Leaders Gathering in 2020. 

A Report and Recommendations of the Entrance Rite was presented at the ELCA Churchwide assembly in the summer of 2019.  Formerly consecration and commissioning were the rites of entrance for the diaconate in the ELCA.  The new rite will be ordination for setting apart both ministers of Word and Sacrament and ministers of Word and Service.