ELCA Federal Chaplaincy Ministry

09/06/2026

ELCA Chaplains, and their ecumenical partner Chaplains, are needed now more than ever to bring grace-filled spiritual care rooted in Word & Sacrament that provides, or provides for the free exercise of religion.

This article illustrates the hierarchical meritocracy in which our Chaplains function to bring a Biblically sound understanding of church & state and a unique witness contrary to the rising tide of Christian Nationalism.

Public concern over Christian nationalism in the armed forces has been almost entirely preoccupied with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth—and not without good reason. He invited his personal pastor to lead prayer breakfasts at the Pentagon while Hegseth himself prayed: “Let every round find its ...

09/04/2026

Congratulations Chaplain Mark Marius (LtCol, USAF, ret.)!!!!!
You make us proud.
Well done!

08/28/2026

One week ago, Chaplain Will Bevins, CPE Educator, graduated 4 Navy Chaplains from a year-long, clinical pastoral internship at Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
Chaplain Bevins positive impact on these highly trained, rigorously formed, and specialized Chaplains was commended by the Navy as he was recognized by CH, CAPT Bill Hlavin (Navy Medicine) and CH, RADM, Carey Cash, the Navy Chief of Chaplains.
Congratulations CH Bevins! Well done!

08/28/2026

Congratulations to Chaplain Cole McGlynn who graduated from Officer Training School this week.

Cole and his spouse, Amanda, are Pastors in the Pacifica Synod, and will begin ministry on Oahu as their family transitions from Southern California.

Welcome to Chaplain McGlynn!

08/27/2026

If you have his email, be sure to wish Mr. Michael Sonnenberg a HAPPY BIRTHDAY today (pictured on right with Ch Katie Osweiler and Christopher Otten).

THANK YOU for all you do, and the joy, love, and support that you bring to our ELCA Chaplain Corps, Michael!

Happy Birthday, and may God continue to bless you! You are a blessing to us. 🎉🎂

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, Wisconsin, 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.