ELCA Federal Chaplaincy Ministry

08/25/2026

Rest in peace, CH Davidson, we have the watch.
Well done, good and faithful servant!
Enter into the joy of your Master with the saints in light.

Bishop Hirsch attended Rev. Neal Davidson's burial at Arlington National Cemetery. He recalls, "Neal Davidson may have preached at more Lutheran churches in our synod than any other supply pastor. He got out there, leaning into people and ministry with curiosity and some determination. Pastor Davidson served his God, church and country like that for 62 years. Neal was wounded and received a purple heart and a bronze star as a chaplain—not for sitting back and being uninvolved, but because he wanted to be out there with people. That’s the way God is with us: in our most difficult moments, God is forward and right there in the heat of the battle."

08/25/2026

Yay, Chaplain Hedlund! 🫡

Please join us in welcoming The Rev. Dr. Kerstin Hedlund to our Trinity Lutheran Seminary faculty!

Rev. Dr. Hedlund will move from working as Trinity’s Director of Contextual Education to teaching in the role of Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care, Chaplaincy, and Worship in mid-August. Dr. Hedlund earned her M.Div. at Trinity Lutheran Seminary and her Ph.D. in Theology and Ethics from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Dr. Hedlund is an ordained ELCA pastor and a chaplain in the army. She has previously served congregations as a pastor in Texas and Illinois, and she has served army units as a chaplain in Iraq and the United States. We are grateful that her gifts – already so evident in her work forming students for ministry in context – will now be shared with the community in this new capacity.

08/13/2026

Congratulations to CH Aaron Spangler, who graduated from Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course!
Thanks to his family, clergy/Chaplain colleagues, Aaron’s NC Synod & Bishop, as well as the congregation he serves as a Pastor, Alamance Lutheran Church, for all the support.
Way to go, Chaplain!

08/13/2026

Congratulations CH Aaron Spangler!

08/09/2026

Last week at the Naval Chaplaincy School graduation, Bishop Ritonia was honored to hear remarks from Rear Admiral Cash, Navy Chief of Chaplains, and to spend time with Christopher Otten, ELCA Endorser, as they celebrated the newest members of the Navy Chaplain Corps.

08/07/2026

To those who have endured the wounds of war and paid the price for serving our country, thank you.

“Almighty God, there are no winners in war. Yet your servants through the ages are called to take up their nation’s cause. We pray that you will keep us in justice and peace. Bring an end to the destruction of war. Heal the wounds we inflict on one another. Comfort the victims.
Thank you for those who have carried the burdens of our nation. Grant them your solace. Remind them of our thanks as we honor their commitment and duty. Bring healing, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

A grateful nation thanks you for your service!

08/04/2026

Happy Birthday!

08/01/2026

07/30/2026

Congratulations to CH Wyatt Linde who graduated from the Navy Chaplain School Basic Leadership School.
Well done, Wyatt!
Thank you to Lindsay too. ❤️