ELCA NEWS SERVICE August 24, 2005 Lutheran Leader In Parish Education, Services, Kent Gilbert Dies 05-153-FI CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. W. Kent Gilbert III, a former leader in Lutheran parish services and retired pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died Aug. 23 at his apartment in Lewisburg, Pa. He was 86. A memorial service will be held Aug. 28 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Devon, Pa., where Gilbert was a member. Gilbert was born Jan. 2, 1919, in Scranton, Pa. He was raised in Harrisburg, Pa., and worked briefly for the Harrisburg Evening News. He is a graduate of Gettysburg College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, both ELCA institutions in Gettysburg, Pa. He earned a master of arts degree and a doctorate in education from Columbia University, New York City. Ordained in 1944, Gilbert served as pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., and the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Ramsey, N.J. In 1950, the former United Lutheran Church in America (ULCA) Board of Parish Education hired him to develop and edit a weekday church school series. Later he became director of the board's inter-Lutheran long-range program of parish education. In 1962 the ULCA and three other Lutheran church bodies formed the former Lutheran Church in America (LCA), and Gilbert became executive secretary of the LCA Board of Parish Education. He was named executive director of the LCA Board of Parish Services in 1973, after the church added services related to architecture, stewardship, evangelism, youth ministry and worship to the new unit. He led a staff of 115 until his retirement in 1985. Gilbert chaired the Commission on Education of the Lutheran World Federation. He served on the governing board of the National Council of Churches and chaired the executive committee of its Division of Christian Education. He worked with the World Council of Christian Education and the World Council of Churches. Gilbert authored several books, including "Commitment to Unity: A History of the Lutheran Church in America," "As Christians Teach," "Confirmation and Education," "The Objectives of Christian Education" and "What is Educational Ministry?" Gilbert was preceded in death by his wife Virginia and survived by his daughter Carol G. Main, three grandsons and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Warren Gilbert and two nieces. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news