Celebrating 50 Years of Ordaining Women and the Rev. Elizabeth Platz

In 2019 and 2020, we celebrate 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely.

As part of this anniversary year, we lament that women have been barred from serving and have been bullied, dismissed, and excluded. We also celebrate the gifts and service that women have brought to our church and our world as pastors.

The Delaware-Maryland and Metro D.C. Synods invite you to celebrate these historical moments with us during the month of November!

November 19 – Bishops of the ELCA Panel Conversation

November 12 – Word & Service Panel Conversation

November 5 – Word & Sacrament Panel Conversation

Celebrating Rev. Elizabeth Platz

The Rev. Elizabeth Platz was ordained as the first woman pastor in the Lutheran Church in the Western Hemisphere on November 22, 1970.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women and Pr. Platz, we invite all to share memories, stories, photos, and momentos through this digital platform or in hard copy, so that we can present Pr. Platz with these books as a sign of thanksgiving for her ministry. Please make submissions by November 22, 2020.  

The Delaware-Maryland and Metro D.C. Synods invite you to a celebratory worship service and conversation with the Rev. Platz on Saturday, November 21 at 2 pm EST. We are incredibly grateful for the ministry of Pastor Platz and hope you will join in this joyful occasion on the YouTube or Facebook pages of either synod