A First for the ELCA

 On Sunday, January 22nd, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) for the first time ordained a woman into pastoral ministry, Sally Azar. Lutherans from all over the world gathered at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem to bear witness to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in that place. Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton joined with 18 of synod bishops and church leaders, in this hopeful occasion in the life of Christ's church. This was the result of the prayerful discernment, theological reflection and concerted effort of the ELCJHL — the first member of the Lutheran World Federation to adopt its Gender Justice Policy. This is an example for us all. In 2020 the ELCA celebrated the 50th anniversary of U.S. Lutheran churches' decision to ordain women. We give thanks for the LWF's steadfast commitment to the ordination of women into pastoral ministry as a calling of God and a gift to Christ's church. (Editor’s note-thanks to Pastor Elizabeth Yates for this information.)