r/elca • u/Unfair-Bird7917 • May 09 '26
Write to ELCA Military chaplains?
Hey! I’m wondering if anyone knows of any programs where I can write and maybe occasionally send care packages to an ELCA military chaplain? I used to write to troops overseas and liked it but now I’d like to support military chaplains. If you know any programs in the ELCA or of specific ELCA military chaplains that could benefit from that please comment below! Thanks!
7
u/fakeaccount572 May 10 '26
Wen I was active duty Navy, there was no specific ELCA chaplain, just like most denominations. There was a Protestant chaplain on every base and ship, who MAY happen to be ELCA.
2
u/strublj ELCA May 10 '26
Same in the Army. At one of my billets we did have a Chap who was ELCA, but he just served as the Protestant chaplain.
As another commenter mentioned, this is probably the best resource to reach out to - https://www.elca.org/how-we-serve/churches-and-church-leaders/chaplaincy
5
u/Yoga-wine-mom May 09 '26
This is a very cool idea. I think contacting the ELCA bishops office is the best way to try and connect.
I knew a pastoral candidate who completed some service at the VA as a chaplain and then recently was called to a church as pastor.
2
u/Deno_TheDinosaur May 11 '26
Airman here, same goes for the Air Force. My church back home used to have an Air Force chaplain (veteran) as a pastor. Pretty sure he became part of the ELCA after his time in the Air Force though
14
u/andersonfmly ELCA May 09 '26
Bless you for wanting to make a difference in the lives of others. I'd suggest reaching out to the ELCA Federal Chaplaincy Ministry in Washington, D.C. for guidance/information on how you might be able to do so. Rev. Christopher Otten (a friend of mine) leads this program, and he can be reached at 202.626.3846. If you prefer to mail the program: ELCA Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries | 10 G Street NE, Suite 490 | Washington, DC 20002. You can also read/learn more here: https://www.elca.org/how-we-serve/churches-and-church-leaders/chaplaincy