Deaconess Celebrates 50 th Anniversary

1 3 0 4 L a P o r t e Av e n u e • Va l p a r a i s o , I N 46383 • Phone: Vo l . 219-464-6925 14 No. • w w w. t h e L D A . o r g 2 • F...
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1 3 0 4 L a P o r t e Av e n u e



Va l p a r a i s o , I N

46383



Phone:

Vo l .

219-464-6925

14

No.



w w w. t h e L D A . o r g

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Fall

2008

Deaconess Celebrates 50th Anniversary Deaconess Geri Plato celebrated the 50th anniversary of her consecration as a Lutheran Deaconess this year. Geri noted that, even as a child, God was leading her towards a life of service. Her first encounter with a deaconess was as a child in St. Louis when she was playing in the park with her siblings on a Sunday morning. The deaconess followed the children home and asked their mother, who had just returned home

Geri says that sharing the love of Jesus... is her favorite part of her work. from working the night shift, what she could do to help. Deaconess Ann Koch helped to bathe the baby and then asked to take the children to Sunday school. She continued to take them every Sunday. In high school, Geri’s pastor asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up. Geri said “I would be a nun if I were Catholic.” Aware of the deaconess training program at Valparaiso

University, Pastor George Liebnow arranged a visit for Geri and secretly began planning for her to attend. Surprised and grateful for the opportunity, Geri was able to attend with the help of the Ladies Aid for Neighborhood Missions scholarship fund. After graduation, Geri visited Deaconess Millie Stephenson and her husband at the seminary, where she met her own husband, George Lawrence Plato. During those early years Geri worked in a variety of positions from Denver, CO, to Gary, IN and from Watertown, WI, to Kansas City, KS. The positions gave her experience in evangelism, teaching, and Christian education, working primarily in Lutheran churches and schools. Shortly after his ordination, Geri’s husband George was diagnosed with leukemia. Following his untimely death, she returned to St. Louis to help her mother and care for

Deaconess Geri Plato at the retirement party of Louise Williams, Executive Director Emeritus

her twelve younger siblings. There she earned a degree in early childhood education, became a certified reading specialist, and taught remedial reading. Although she retired from Jefferson Elementary School in 1998, Geri remains active at Transfiguration Lutheran Church where she has served as the Youth and Christian Education Coordinator, among other things. Geri says that sharing the love of Jesus, whether at a

youth rally, on a visit with shut-ins, or when teaching Sunday school, is her favorite part of her work. Geri remembers fondly an elderly couple with whom she used to sing and pray on home visits. Even though Mr. Mortholus had muscular dystrophy, he and his wife rejoiced in the resurrection of their Lord Jesus and waited patiently for “Jesus to come and take them home.” Geri notes that for someone who is a patient in a hospital or a shut-in in their home, the world ends at the end of their bed. She is glad to bring that person hope, wisdom, courage and strength by sharing her faith in the Lord. We rejoice and thank God for Geri’s ministry and ask God’s blessings for whatever the future holds for her.

From my perspective...

Deaconess Lisa Polito washes the feet of a WELCA convention attendee in Salt Lake City, Utah

We Do Feet

It has been an amazing nine months that I have served the Lutheran Deaconess Association as executive director. Some of the highlights include: • the installation service for Christi Thieme, Director of Development and Public Relations and myself, • four consecrations, • two new classes of students accepted – one in the spring and one in the fall • time with committees, who with our board serve with their gifts of time and money, 2



working with a countless number of people who – like you – support this ministry with their prayers. One of the best experiences each summer is washing feet. Imagine walking for blocks and blocks in 95 degree weather. Think about how tired your feet would be. Blisters and swollen ankles cry out with every step. There you see it, a group of chairs, with women sitting on the floor, washing, drying and giving feet a little massage. A little slice of heaven! I am one of those people who do feet.

We aren’t podiatrists, pedicurists, or reflexologists. We are people called to a life of diakonia (service). Jesus says, “If I your lord and master would wash your feet, you should wash one another’s.” Following his command in John, we wash the feet of a weary world. This summer at the Women of the ELCA triennial gathering, members of the Lutheran Deaconess Association, ELCA Diaconal Ministers and the ELCA Deaconess Community joined together to wash the feet of attendees. A lot of ministry happens while you do feet. We hear many stories: Stories of • exciting things learned and of friendships made at the gathering, • the lives of God’s people – filled with pain, joy, laughter and tears, • women who are God’s servants “back home.” I remember a lot of those feet. I remember the women who come and find us at each triennial gathering, but particularly this year • a friend from my aunt’s home congregation, who came to say hello, • an Asian woman who was amazed that we would stoop to wash her feet, • a young woman who told me about her Special Olympics medals in gymnastics and her job, and • the woman from Minnesota who had worked her family

farm her whole life. Her feet were so swollen and cracked that I wanted her to seek medical attention. But her years of self-reliance made her keep saying no. As she sat with her feet up, a first aid attendant came by and treated her. If you are attending the LWML convention next summer in Portland, I’ll look forward to seeing your feet. Faith and service in Christ,

Lisa Polito, Executive Director

Is a Charitable Gift Annuity Right for You? What Does a Gift Annuity Do? A gift annuity provides a means for you to make a contribution to the LDA and receive guaranteed payments for life. Tax and Financial Benefits of Creating a Gift Annuity • Gift annuities may be an excellent way for you to supplement retirement income while helping the LDA. • You receive fixed, guaranteed payments for life (income payments can begin immediately or be deferred to a specific date to meet your needs). • You receive a charitable income tax deduction in the year of the gift. See Annuity, page 5

Terry Putnam, 2008 DIAKONIA EN CHRISTO Recipient Teryl Putnam, Tillamook, Oregon, has been named recipient of the Lutheran Deaconess Association’s (LDA) 2008 Diakonia en Christo award – winner for her faithful and tireless service. Diakonia en Christo – service in Christ – is part of every baptized child’s calling. While that service takes as many forms as there are Christians, deaconesses and deacons express a special concern for the forgotten, outcast, and undervalued people in the church and world. That care and concern is at the heart of all who seek to follow the servant Lord into Christian service, and the award is named in the honor of Deaconesses Martha Eber and Martha Boss whose diaconal hearts especially exemplified the service to which Christ calls us. Through this diaconal lay ministry award, LDA seeks to thank God for the varieties of diaconal service through celebrating

ers and music, coordinating, for many summers, two-week servant events during which her youth group provided Bible lessons. In her retirement, Terry has given generously of her time, money and possessions to serve the needs of poor children, children with developmental disabilities and people with physical and mental disabilities in Guatemala, Panama, and The Dominican Republic. Pastor Kasimir Kachmarek, who nominated Terry for the award, states: “Terry has had a tremendous heart for the poor, downtrodden and helpless of our society. She has reached out to this segment of our population with significant help and with great dedication.” The LDA thanks God for Terry Putnam’s service and care for those needing Christ’s healing and love. •

Terry Putnam, (center) with her husband George, accepts the Diakonia en Christo Award from Lisa Polito, Executive Director the lives and ministries of Lutheran lay people who, in following Christ, reach out in care and compassion to the hurting world. Terry Putnam has received the award for her faithful and tireless service. For 10 years, she was a full-time Spiritual Life Coordinator for Good Shepherd Lutheran

Home, bringing the residents much joy by • helping to care for the residents’ physical as well as spiritual needs; • developing a comprehensive program in which youth taught through skits, puppet shows, post-

Consecrations Congratulations and blessings to our newest deaconesses: Donna McEwen Consecrated April 27, 2008 Debbie Lennox (Pictured here with Lisa Polito) Consecrated June 8, 2008 Bev Lund Consecrated June 15, 2008 Susan Moss Consecrated May 31, 2008

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Tribute Gifts

In Honor of My 50th Consecration Anniversary Deaconess Della & Ronald Kunz Cindy Allard Deaconess Pat Gorton Deaconess Sheryl Andreasen Paul Conrad John Bernthal Edward & Bernice Bernthal Deaconess Bonnie & Jim Beversdorf Frances Borhart Deaconess Sonja Baumeister Deaconess Brenda Bass Letitia Johnston Ttee Allen Bauer Deaconess Edie & Dave Eickemeyer Deaconess Brenda Bauer Gloria Nygard Deaconess Kathy Borgman Jean Wagner Deaconess April Boyden Bill & Nora Strothman Mike Carlson Deaconess Dianna Schumacher Deaconess Janet Conrady Beverly Conrady Deaconess Nita Cunningham Charles & Helen Lott Pat & Bob Dalchow Deaconess Edie & Dave Eickemeyer Jeri Dexheimer Deaconess Maralyn Marske-Walker Louis Dickhardt Deaconess Diana & Bill Iltzsche Deaconess Student Lisa Donahue James & Nancy Becker Nicholas & Elizabeth Donner Matt & Lorna Donner Deaconess Nanette Dost Deaconess Cynthia Donnell-Foster Deaconess Juanita Ebert Donald & Suzanne Folberg Doris & Gill Harder Bill & Virginia Pierick Alisha Engel Haley Hackett Deaconess Gretchen Enoch Thomas & Lois Dick Robert & Sheila Enoch Deaconess Cheryl Erdmann Mildred Anderson Cheryl M Reimer Deaconess Barb Finley Alden Finley Deaconess Hertha Fischer Anne Murphy Ruby Pearl Flower Richard Kinnunen Deaconess Carole Garwood Barbara Wieting Deaconess Deborah Matern Graf Timothy Breitenstain Amy Reinholtz Ernest & Grace Schleicher Steven C Silverman Jeffrey & Pamela Wasmuth John Winkler Deaconess Joann Grepke Sharen Ramsey

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Received January 1 - August 31, 2008 Haley Ann Hackett Christianne Sloop Alan Harre Dolores M Ruosch Chuck & Ruth Werth Deaconess Olivia Hartung Deaconess Cynthia Donnell-Foster Karl & Luetta Henricks Irma Weber Deaconess Barbara Herzinger Deaconess Diana Iltzsche Deaconess Julie A. Hink Violet Jacobson Deaconess Cherryll Hoffman Tyrone & Janet Greive Mary Hohnke Deaconess Sonja Baumeister Martha Hoeppner Greg & Deb Hoeppner Deaconess Judy Hoshek & Nick Dobrinick Marian & William Jeck Cynthia Ishler Laurie Miller Richard & Ellen Warger Judi Wise Deaconess Claire Jackson Mr. & Mrs. Robert Visser Deaconess Kay Johnson Elsie Johnson Phyllis Kersten Randy & Doni Heyn-Lamb Mary & Carl Hurst Harriette Jersild Norbert Kabelitz James Kerns Martha Rohlfing James A.Y. Klockau Gisela Clark Deaconess Kati Kluckman-Ault Joseph & Robin Stocks Deaconess Debra Lennox Adam & Mildred Kegel Frederick & Constance Kruelle Margaret W. Stortz Deaconess Beverly Lund Deaconess Beverly Lund Deaconess Deborah Nebel Karl Lutze Rich & Judy Beumer Deaconess Ann Maki Joanne Ciarniello Deaconess Maralyn Marske-Walker Barbara Wieting Deaconess Diane Marten Deaconess Sonja Baumeister Mary & Jerald Thompson Deaconess Sharon McDonald Sheila Rice Deaconess Donna McEwen Deaconess Beverly Lund Deaconess Karen Melang Deaconess Sonja Baumeister Judy Koepke Deaconess Stephanie Meyer Conrad & Jenny Peterson Deaconess Susan Moss Deaconess Maralyn Marske-Walker St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Ann Arbor, MI

Deaconess Erma Murray Katherine Brown John & Carol Horn Deaconess Mary Mwaura Joyce & Fred Paepke My Consecration Deaconess Donna McEwen LWML Linda Koch Deaconess Deborah Nebel Donald King Betty Madden John Pailotta Donna Tills Marilyn Wank Richard & MaryLynn Wills Adolf & Magdalene Wendel Lloyd & Mary Lou Orluske Deaconess Janice Orluske Deaconess Beverly Parobek Bernell Bachmeier Elaine Peter Deaconess Vanette & John Kashmer Deaconess Julie Peters James & Debra Peters Deaconess Geraldine Plato Deaconess Cynthia Donnell-Foster Deaconess Janice Orluske Deaconess Lisa Polito Deaconess Sonja Baumeister Deaconess Brenda Bauer Deaconess Joan Cole-Heine Deaconess Debra Ganser Deaconess Connie & Leonard Johnson John & Sonja Kreitzer Charles & RuthWerth Margaret White Traci & Bill Preus Gladys Williams Deaconess Liesl Pyle Walter J. Klimek Deaconess Martha Putnam Linda Krueger Deaconess Debbie Rank Diane Meier Deaconess Jeanette Rebeck Joanne Ciarniello Ilene Hardy Eleanor Hennig David & Janet Schiopota Deaconess Ann Rehbein Lois Monks Aurella Swanson Chris Wenger Deaconess Deborah Robinson Eugene & Joanne Larson Natalie Lynn Roock Diane Roock Deaconess Linda Rosnau Leona Beckstrand Deaconess Gwen Sayler Tom & Valerie Sayler Lavon Sessler Rosalyn Borchers Deaconess Student Lora Schlueter Deaconess Student Heather Frank Aurella Swanson Deaconess Student Amanda Spangler Sharon Spangler

Deaconess Jean Plusch Christi Thieme Deaconess Connie & Leonard Johnson Deaconess Sabine Thomas Dorothy Parsons Deaconess Audrey Vanderbles Deaconess Cynthia Donnell-Foster Deaconess Karen Westbrooks Deaconess Cynthia Donnell-Foster Deaconess Marijane Wurdeman Jessie Birdsell William & Sandra Goughnour Rosetta Martin Erna Taff Patty (Perkins) Wijaya Joyce Williams & Kim Jenson Bruce Wurdeman Deaconess Jean Wildgrube Pamela Nee & Steve Babin Cesar & Marie Gomez Frederick Nee Deaconess Louise Williams See insert for list Gladys Williams Wayne Williams Deaconess Esther Williamson Joyce Hoover Deaconess Diane Greve Ruby Kuhlman Leah Sindebrand Cloanne Snyder & Family

In Memory of Henry John Alden Anne Alden Floyd Anderson Louise Anderson Helene Bauer Deaconess Edie & Dave Eickemeyer Deaconess Louise Williams Edward & Bette Bender Deaconess Joan Cole-Heine Delwin Borhart August & Lois Prahlow Robert Brenner Sandra Wise (Brenner) Edward & Irene Berg Carol Cabe Louise Bertig Gordon & Marguerite Reinhertz Henry Boardman Margaret Boardman Martha Carr Kristi & Mark Bangert Mary Chrichlow Livingston Chrichlow Maxine Christopher Jay & Doris Christopher Cecil Dixon Helen Dixon Ailine Deters Deaconess Debra Mantey William A Dudde Nancy Stelling Hebert Ebert Deaconess Juanita Ebert David & Shirley Susan Charles & Ruth Werth

Tribute Gifts Received January 1 - August 31, 2008 (Continued) Jack Eisenman Marion Eisenman Oscar, Evelyn, Wayne, and Frances Eppley Harold Eppley Robert Erickson Kathryn Erickson Mr. & Mrs. F. Flohr Mary-Anne Jungst Elmer E Foelber Esther Kruger Nelson Foltz Irma Foltz Annmarie Foulard Barbara & John Hopkins Don Frey Barbara Frey Alvera Kraeger Franck Adeline Branahl Louis M. Frillman Edna Frillmann Betty Galow Donald Galow Walter Geppert Gerda Geppert Katherine Hallerberg Tomford Hallerberg Ken Hanson Brede & Shelley Westby David Hardy Edna Burkey Deaconess Cynthia Donnell-Foster Deaconess Louise Williams Dorothy Heidemann Kenneth Heidemann Clifford C. Heidemann Glenn Hemphill Deaconess Janice Orluske Ruth Hillmann Paul Hillmann Lois Hoeppner Greg & Deb Hoeppner James Holland Deaconess Janice Orluske Helen Howard Deaconess Cynthia Donnell-Foster Deaconess Nanette Dost Albert Huegli Fran Huegli Jeff Johnson Joyce & Lars Sandvik Mrs. Kinnunen Richard Kinnunen Karin Johnson WELCA St. John’s Lutheran Church Kenneth Korby Robert Beckman Arnold Krentz Marion & Edgar Krentz Loved Ones Gladys Hess Lois Overman Lois & Bill Hoergers Bob Laubenberg Alma Laubenberg Esther Lutze Merry & Lynn Redding Adelaide Malurty Deaconess Debbie Wehking

Nicholas Marshall Helen & William Costello Patricia Herlihy Deaconess Diana and Bill Iltzsche Trudy Marshall Lis Ring Deaconess Ina Kempff Walter Meyer John Mwaura Deaconess Maralyn Marske- Walker Deaconess Evelyn Middelstadt Herman Bernard Floyd & Betty Bockelman Deaconess Susan Crane Cooper Deaconess Cynthia Donnell-Foster Deaconess Betty Epie Deaconess Norma Cook Everist Deaconess Marilyn Feldhaus Curtis & Elinor Kenyon Paul L Kerkhof Deaconess Burnette Kunz Karl & Gail Lutze Rita Mangelsdorf Deaconess Sherry Olsen Frieda Stuebing Deaconess Barbara Town Deaconess Jackie Haug-Schulz Deaconess Louise Williams Deaconess Maralyn Marske-Walker Deaconess Luanne Veale Mary Younke Deaconess Beverly Reardon Mohr James & Beverly Cook Deaconess Sylvia Grubb Milton Mueller Deaconess Diane Mueller Bonnie Hoeberling Dorothy Nelson Cloanne Snyder Glen Nelson Cindy Spillman Kathe Nielsen Carolyn Nielsen Lois Oberman Bill & Lael Hoerger Floyd Peter Deaconess Vanette & John Kashmer Ralph Phillips Julius Friedrich Deaconess Elaine Plackner Martin & Joanne Seltz Lauretta Powenski Janice Powenski Walter Rast Susanna Rast Marie Reichardt Karl & Paige Reichardt Gilbert A Reid Deaconess Olivia Hartung Deaconess Karen Pitkin Deaconess Audrey Vanderbles Dale Riske Deaconess Cynthia Donnell-Foster Deaconess Ellen Rodenbeck Deaconess Cynthia Donnell-Foster Katrin Schultz Lois Schultz Mary Sievers Shirley Roth

Juanita Smith Stanley L. Jordan James L. Springer John Gaffney Clara Steinbauer Elizabeth Weiss Mearl Steltenpohl Deaconess Marlinda Steltenpohl Claire Stephens Bill & Lael Hoerger Rudolph & Arvella Stumpf Carol Sheppard Emma Thauwald Werner Schuppan Robert Trevis Margaret Trevis Andrew & Emma Vitzthum Gladys Williams Walter Martin Wangerin Thomas & Rhoda Storck Lucille Wassman Deaconess Louise Williams Eunice Weidner Eleanor Christensen Diane Wille Richard Wille LeRoy Williams Gladys Williams Sylvia (Ellamann) Wukasch Richard Wukasch Esther Zadiek Peter Zadiek Jr.

Contributions Made Easy Did you know that you can automatically make electronic contributions to the LDA without writing a check? The Simply Giving program works in the same manner as your other bank account debits, including loan payments, utilities or bill payments automatically withdrawn from your account. You authorize the amount and frequency of your gift to be electronically transferred from your bank account to the LDA. It’s fast, safe and easy! And the LDA will issue you an annual donation statement for your tax records. Visit www.TheLDA.org or call 219-464-6925 to enroll in the Simply Giving program.

The LDA Today Executive Director : Deaconess Lisa Scherzer Polito Guest Editor: Kurt Reichardt Guest Writer: Carsten Falkenberg CFP®, ChFC, CLU, FIC Layout: Deaconess Mary Hackbarth

Annuity, from page 2 • For gifts of cash, the annual deduction limit is 50 percent of the donor’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). • For gifts of long-term appreciated securities, the annual deduction limit is 30 percent of the donor’s AGI. • Unused charitable deductions may be carried over an additional five years for a total of up to six (6) years of deductions. • You may bypass a portion of capital gains on gifts of appreciated securities; any capital gain is recognized over the lifetime of the annuitant. • A portion of each gift annuity payment is usually tax-free – depending on the assets gifted. Work with your advisors to determine if a gift annuity is appropriate for your situation. Carsten Falkenberg, CFP®, ChFC, CLU, FIC Senior Financial Consultant, Indiana Region Thrivent Financial for Lutherans 5

New Look of LDA Team come its way. “God continues to bless the LDA with superb leadership,” said David Schroeder, former board president.

Diane Marten, Lisa Polito, and Christi Thieme working as a team during Student Seminar this August

“Lisa’s love of the deaconess community will guide her decisions, building on the past 89 years of the education and formation of women for service and building on relationships with church bodies globally and ecumenically.” As the executive director, Lisa enjoys supporting the deaconesses in their ministries and telling their stories. Christi Thieme, MPA, CFRE, is a Valparaiso University alum and recently relocated from Indianapolis. She says that she is “humbled and inspired to support the extraordinary work of deaconesses.”

A deaconess… could that be me?

Gloria Hanks. With Christ’s guidance and coaching, the team says that it is ready to catch new opportunities and tackle any challenges that

Do you have a heart for service and those in need? Do you know someone with diaconal gifts and have you named them for her? God calls women from various places, with various skills, at various ages. This year, the LDA has 32 students in the education and formation process. Five students completed the process this year and four more look forward to promises and prayers through the Rite of Consecration in the coming months. Find out more about becoming a deaconesses at www.TheLDA.org! If you’re looking to get started, apply by May 1, 2009 to begin orientation in August. Is God calling me to be a deac?

1304 LaPorte Avenue Valparaiso, IN 46383

Lutheran Deaconess Association

The LDA team is looking forward to a great season! It has recently reshuffled the lineup and picked up a few new players this year.  Lisa Polito, former director of development and public relations, has been promoted to replace Louise Williams as executive director. Williams retired last December.  Diane Marten continues in her position of director of education and formation. She is joined by newcomer Christi Thieme, who serves as director of development and public relations.  Backing them in the office are veteran office manager Mary Hohnke and rookie database operator

Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Valparaiso, IN Permit No. 335

Check out our new look at www.TheLDA.org! Is your name listed incorrectly? Did you receive duplicate mailings? The LDA has recently converted its records to a new database. This database will enable us to serve you better through more efficient and secure tracking of your information. Please let us know of any corrections to your information. We appreciate your patience as we undertake this transition.