Deaconess Linda Funke addresses the graduates

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania South East of Lake Victoria Diocese celebrated their second graduation from Concordia Theological Seminary in collaboration with Bishop Makala Training Center. The graduation was held at Ebenezer Parish Cathedral in Tanzania.

The new Tanzanian deaconesses received beautiful deaconess stoles made by First Lutheran Evangelical Church in Longmont, Colorado.We are also proud to announce the graduation of seven deaconesses.

LCMS deaconesses are women who are professional church workers, trained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through works of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the Christian faith. “Deaconess,” from the Greek word diakonos, means “servant.”