Today November 11th is Veterans Day in the United States. A day when we as a nation give thanks for those among us who served our nation in a branch of the armed forces. InNT-NL Synod, ELCA we are blessed to have several rostered leaders, active and retired, who are veterans. Additionally, at our online 2020 synod assembly to be joined by and receive a word from the Rev. Christopher Otten, the ELCA Director of Federal Chaplaincy. Providing Chaplains for Federal service is another way we as ELCA support our siblings serving or having served in the armed forces.
To support those seeking to serve as Chaplains in 2020 we also sent a gift to the ELCA Fund For Leaders for $1,000 in support of the fund specifically set aside for candidates for rostered ministry pursuing chaplaincy. I was joined by rostered leaders from NT-NL who are veterans or pursuing chaplaincy as we made that presentation at our 2020 assembly and you can see that at 1hr 56 minutes into the video attached.
In the summer of 2002 I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education requirement for candidacy at the VA Hospital in Seattle, WA. CPE is a critical time of pastoral formation and to do that work in the VA setting was a profound learning experience. Ministering to veterans, many my own age, in a variety of life stages helped form me as a pastor. So on this Veterans Day we give thanks for those who have served and pledge to continue to support them in their service and beyond. #NTNL #InMissionTogether