Continuing my series of videos leading up to our online synod assembly on Sept 26th (please be sure to have your voting members registered by Sept. 18th) we are highlighting the 50/40/10 anniversaries of the ELCA. elca.org/50yearsofordainedwomen

Today we recognize the 40th (really 41st) anniversary of the ordination of pastors who are women of color. While the first woman was ordained in 1970 it was not until 1979 that the first women of color were ordained to serve Lutheran communities in North America. We give thanks for the gifts these women have brought to our church while also acknowledging that even, and especially, today women of color wait the longest to receive calls and often serve in part time or other non-traditional calls. This is a barrier and a challenge to the growth of diversity in our church.

I also highlight today the first woman of African descent ordained in the NT-NL synod. Pastor Dorris Harris serves St. John Lutheran in Oak Cliff, Dallas. She is currently dealing with some health challenges so we invite your prayers for her as we also give deep and abiding thanks for her faithful witness and service.