Title: ELCA First Diaconal Minister Consecrated
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

NEWSBRIEF

July 30, 1996

FIRST DIACONAL MINISTER CONSECRATED

Margaret Schmitt Ajer became the first diaconal minister of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on June 15. The Rev. Paul
W. Egertson, bishop of the ELCA's Southern California (West)
Synod, consecrated her during a Saturday morning worship service
at Bethania Lutheran Church, Solvang, Calif. The ELCA's
consecration ceremony was used for its first time, on a
provisional basis. Ajer serves as regional staff of the ELCA's
Division for Ministry and as staff of Bethania Lutheran Church;
and she continues in those positions as a diaconal minister. The
ELCA's 1993 Churchwide Assembly approved the new form of lay
ministry after a five-year study of ministry. The church now has
four "rosters" for its professional leaders -- pastors,
associates in ministry, deaconesses and diaconal ministers. The
ELCA ordains pastors; and the others are lay ministers. Diaconal
ministers have at least a master's degree in theology and
participate in a diaconal formation program. The focus of
diaconal ministry is on extending the church's ministry of care
and service into the world.

For information contact: Ann Hafften, Dir., ELCA News Service,
(312) 380-2958; Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Dir., (312) 380-2955; Lia
Christiansen, Asst. Dir., (312) 380-2956