The Deaconess Community

Directions Website Contact the place of worship

The Deaconess Community The Deaconess Community supports and develops skilled and committed Lutheran women to offer servant l

The Deaconess Community is a group of women who feel the call to diakonia or servant leadership. Deaconesses are called to be public leaders in/for the church. They work in a variety of fields in and out of congregations, as they strive to be the connection between the church and the world. Each sister uses her individual gifts and skills for being that bridge. Deaconesses also seek to empower and equip the service of other, both in the church and the world. Our sisters work in a wide range of vocations, including social work, pastoral care, education, congregational ministry, community organizing, pastoral support, outreach redevelopment, youth ministry, healthcare agencies, community non-profits and advocacy, and so many more!

The trees do not cling to their leaves forever. They release them, trusting the rhythms of creation.Autumn reminds us th...
10/24/2026

The trees do not cling to their leaves forever. They release them, trusting the rhythms of creation.

Autumn reminds us that letting go is part of living. Some things we release willingly. Others we surrender with sorrow. Not every change is welcome, and not every loss comes easily.

Yet even in seasons of uncertainty, God's grace remains.

May we find courage for the changes before us, tenderness for what we leave behind, and hope in the promise that God is present in every season of life.

The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are deeply connected. Environmental harm does not affect everyone equally. ...
10/23/2026

The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are deeply connected.

Environmental harm does not affect everyone equally. Too often, those with the fewest resources bear the greatest burdens of pollution, extreme weather, and environmental destruction.

Our faith calls us to recognize these connections and respond with compassion, justice, and action.

To care for creation is also to care for one another.

What if the barriers dividing us began to crumble? What if suspicion gave way to understanding, hatred to compassion, an...
10/22/2026

What if the barriers dividing us began to crumble?

What if suspicion gave way to understanding, hatred to compassion, and fear to love?

God's Spirit is still moving among us, calling us beyond the divisions we have created and toward relationships rooted in justice, dignity, and peace.

May we have the courage to make room for that Spirit, beginning with our own hearts.

You do not have to carry everything today. Some days ask more of us than we feel able to give. There are responsibilitie...
10/21/2026

You do not have to carry everything today.

Some days ask more of us than we feel able to give. There are responsibilities that cannot wait, people who need us, and worries that follow us into the night.

Yet God's grace meets us in our weariness, not just in our strength.

Rest is not a failure of faithfulness. Sometimes it is how we make room to receive the care we so freely offer others.

May you find a moment of peace today, and remember that you, too, are worthy of tenderness and care.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

Across France and other parts of Europe, demonstrations over rising living costs, education, and economic insecurity hav...
10/20/2026

Across France and other parts of Europe, demonstrations over rising living costs, education, and economic insecurity have been overshadowed by scenes of violence, destruction, and confrontation.

Behind the headlines are people struggling to make ends meet, young people anxious about their futures, and communities searching for answers.

Violence cannot bring the justice people seek. Yet neither can we ignore the suffering and frustration that have brought so many into the streets.

Our faith calls us to listen, to protect human dignity, and to seek peace grounded in justice.

Prayer: God of peace, be near to all who are frightened, injured, or overwhelmed by unrest. Guide those entrusted with public safety, give wisdom to leaders, and open pathways toward understanding and meaningful change. Help us be instruments of your peace. Amen.

Seeking good is more than wishing for a better world. It means recognizing injustice and refusing to look away. It means...
10/19/2026

Seeking good is more than wishing for a better world.

It means recognizing injustice and refusing to look away. It means defending human dignity, speaking when silence would be easier, and standing alongside those whose voices are too often unheard.

Goodness is not passive. It asks something of us.

And sometimes, the most faithful thing we can do is choose courage over comfort.

Where is God calling us to seek good today?

“Whose image is this?” — Matthew 22:20 When Jesus is asked about paying taxes to Caesar, he points to the image stamped ...
10/18/2026

“Whose image is this?” — Matthew 22:20

When Jesus is asked about paying taxes to Caesar, he points to the image stamped on a coin. But his response invites us to consider a deeper question.

Whose image do we bear?

Scripture tells us that every human being is created in the image of God. Not just those who agree with us. Not just those who share our beliefs, our nationality, or our circumstances. Everyone.

Governments may place images on coins, but God's image is reflected in human lives.

May we honor that image in every person we encounter, especially those whose dignity is too often overlooked.

Faith does not ask us to remain where we are comfortable. It sends us into the world, into neighborhoods and communities...
10/17/2026

Faith does not ask us to remain where we are comfortable.

It sends us into the world, into neighborhoods and communities, into unfamiliar places and unexpected encounters.

We go not because we have all the answers, but because love calls us to show up.

And we do not go alone. God is already at work, creating possibilities for healing, connection, and hope.

Our calling is to recognize that work and become part of it.

Where might love be sending you today?

How long, O God? How long?We grieve with the families and community of Bend, Oregon, where three children and a teacher ...
10/16/2026

How long, O God? How long?

We grieve with the families and community of Bend, Oregon, where three children and a teacher were killed in a school shooting.

We grieve for those whose lives have been forever changed, for the wounded, for the children who witnessed unimaginable violence, and for the families who sent loved ones to school expecting them to return home safely.

And we grieve for communities across our nation where gun violence continues to claim lives and leave families shattered.

As people of faith, we pray. But we are also called to act.

Our prayers must move us toward compassion, advocacy, and a renewed commitment to creating communities where every child, every neighbor, and every life is valued and protected.

God of mercy, receive our grief. Comfort those who mourn. Heal those who suffer. Give us the courage to work for a world where violence no longer steals the promise of tomorrow. Amen.

Reconciliation is not the same as pretending nothing happened.Forgiveness does not erase harm. Peace does not require si...
10/16/2026

Reconciliation is not the same as pretending nothing happened.

Forgiveness does not erase harm. Peace does not require silence. And unity does not mean everyone must agree.

Genuine reconciliation invites us to acknowledge what has been broken, take responsibility where needed, and work toward relationships rooted in dignity and mutual respect.

It is not always a quick or easy process. Trust may take time to rebuild.

But when truth and mercy walk together, healing becomes possible.

May God's love give us the courage to do the difficult work of peace.

Address

8765 W Higgins Road
Chicago, IL
60631

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Deaconess Community posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Place Of Worship

Send a message to The Deaconess Community:

Shortcuts

Share