ELCA presiding bishop calls for Veterans Day prayers

CHICAGO – In honor of Veterans Day (Friday, Nov. 11), the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is calling on the church to pray for members of the armed services, veterans, chaplains and their families.

"Let us pray for an ordered civic life and respect for the dignity and worth of every person," Eaton wrote. "In worship on these days, please remember the impact of family separation and mobility for veterans and those currently serving, many of whom are members of our congregations and communities." 

In her letter, Eaton refers to a memorial adopted by the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, which asks "the Office of the Presiding Bishop to establish a Sunday of prayer and action closest to Veterans Day each year to unite this church in prayer and encourage practical assistance for military members, veterans, ELCA chaplains and families." 

Eaton's letter is available at http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/veteran-day-bishop-letter-1116.pdf.​

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.7 million members in more than 9,300 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

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