Sponsors – Forgotten Luther IV

ELCA Witness in Society encompasses some of the ELCA’s work and ministry in the public sphere, advancing justice and shining a light on peace and dignity. This work and ministry take place wherever Lutherans are found, in communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region, with focused activity through the Lutheran Office for World Community at the United Nations in New York City; in state public policy offices in the ELCA Advocacy Network; through our Corporate Social Responsibility program; and from the ELCA’s federal hub in Washington, D.C. The Rev. Amy Reumann serves as the Senior Director for Witness in Society.

Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Silver Spring, MD Mission Endowment Fund

The Saint Luke Mission Endowment Fund, with the Fund Board of Directors, is pleased to be able to make disbursements from the earnings to applicants. Outreach of this fund is defined as supporting needs in the community, the synod, and national or worldwide outreach with a Lutheran connection or via someone connected with the Lutheran church, including but not limited to seminaries, colleges, social service agencies, special programs, persons in need, new congregational developments, evangelical ministries, and ecumenism. The Board, Council and Congregation are pleased to support this symposium.

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Platz

Pastor Platz was the first woman in North America ordained by a Lutheran church body. After graduating from Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, in 1965, she served as chaplain for the Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Maryland, College Park.
In 1970, when the Lutheran Church in America moved to allow women's ordination, Pastor Platz became the first woman to be ordained into the LCA. She continued to work at the University of Maryland for the rest of her career. She retired from UMD in 2012, having worked 47 years at the Lutheran Campus Ministry. Since then, Pastor has served many interim positions and for many years has been a member of the staff family at Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Silver Spring, MD.

Darrell W. Neily Memorial Fund, Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Silver Spring, MD

Darrell Neily was an active member of Saint Luke, Silver Spring, along with his wife, Margaret, and their family. Darrell cared about justice and was always ready to learn and continue to celebrate God’s grace. When he died in the fall of 2023, his wife, Margaret, through the Council of Saint Luke, designated his memorial monies for this Forgotten Luther IV event. We give thanks for saints like Darrell and all who model such discipleship.