Churchwide assembly:

Did You Know?

The Daily Lutheran is the newsletter of the 9th Churchwide Assembly. It’s published by the staff of The Lutheran, the magazine of the ELCA. Editor: Sonia C. Solomonson. Writers: Elizabeth Hunter, Kathleen Kastilahn, Julie B. Sevig and Ann Hafften. Photographer: Michael D. Watson. Production editor: Andrea S. Pohlmann. Web production: Amber Leberman.

Standing ovation

Voting members gave U.S. Army Chaplain Michael Lembke a standing ovation when he spoke Wednesday about the role military chaplains play in ensuring religious freedom, caring for the wounded, honoring the dead, nurturing the faithful with word and sacrament ministry, and advising commanding officers on “spiritual diplomacy.” Lembke, who returned from Iraq in February, thanked the church for its support, saying: “It’s good to know I am part of a church and tradition.”