November 12, 2007

Jen Nagel called to Salem English Lutheran Church in Minneapolis

Jen Nagel, Chaplain to the LC/NA board, has been called as Pastor by Salem English Lutheran Church. The Call Vote occurred yesterday and will result in Jen's ordination on January 19th.

Jen has served as Pastoral Minister for the congregation since 2003. She has been the Chaplain to the LC/NA board since July 2006.

Jen said of her call, "This call is part our claiming the bold and crazy winds of the Spirit. There will be an Extra-Ordinary Ordination with the participation of many and the endorsement of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (www.elm.org). Thanks to all for your prayers and support as we moved toward this vote… and thank you in advance for your prayers and support as we plan an ordination and live into transformation!"

Emily Eastwood said, "Jen is a pastor to her core. The delight in her face when she speaks of ordination and her ministry at Salem is infectious. We have been blessed to have Jen as the chaplain to the board of LC/NA for the last year and a half. She is truly gifted for ministry. We applaud this prophetic action of Salem-English Lutheran as it gives public witness to the ELCA and its community of its long held belief in the full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of the church."

Jen holds an MDiv from the University of Chicago-Divinity School, completed her Lutheran requirements at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. She served previously at Central Lutheran Church and Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, in Africa, Chicago, Michigan, and various outdoor ministry settings. Jen has also served from 2001–05 as one of the representatives of the ELCA to the World Council of Churches Central Committee, following her long-time passion for ecumenical work.

Salem English Lutheran Church is currently sharing the building of Lyndale United Church of Christ at 810 West 31st Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408, Tel: 612-872-4650. Together Lyndale and Salem are planning for redevelopment on Salem's original site; this redevelopment would include a shared ministry center for the two congregations, as well as housing and retail.