Churchwide Assembly Blog

2011 Theme: Freed in Christ to Serve

Humility in Action

Posted on August 21, 2009 by

Debate may abound on the floor of the plenary hall, but attendees of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly still come together in worship each morning as one body.  In reflection of that unity in Christ, the attendees are offered the opportunity to act out Christian humility by washing one another’s feet.

This demonstration is made possible by the ELCA Deaconess Community, one of the four areas of rostered leadership in the ELCA.  “This is a symbol of the ministry we offer,” said Sister Anne Keffer of the ELCA Deaconess Community.  “It’s powerful.  Kneeling before someone and washing their feet is body.  It is diakonia.  That is our ministry.”

Learn more about the ELCA Deaconess Community, which recently celebrated its 125th anniversary.