Bishop Emily had the chance to spend a recent Sunday afternoon with deaconesses from all across the country at Lutheridge!

Their first time meeting in North Carolina, the Lutheran Deaconess Conference (LDC) gathered for their Annual Meeting, August 6-10. The theme for this year’s meeting was “Becoming Beloved Community: From Lament to Reconciliation.” Sessions were led by Desta Goehner, a facilitator of belonging and anti-racist repair work and the current president of White Lutherans for Racial Justice. The program was part of the LDC’s continued commitment to racial justice and equity.

Additionally, members volunteered for Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), assembled Blessing Baskets for Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas, and spread mulch at Lutheridge. Educational programs were led by Amy Phillips from Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas and Connie Brown from the Folk Art Center.

The yearly gathering is also a time for the community to worship together, conduct business, and celebrate consecration anniversaries. The LDC was organized in 1934 and is an inter-Lutheran organization comprised of deaconesses who were formed and consecrated for the ministry of Word & Service by the Lutheran Diaconal Association (LDA).