Today, Feb. 25, is the day we remember the life and ministry of Elizabeth Fedde, a Norwegian Deaconess who died on Feb. 25, 1921. I learned about Elizabeth Fedde as I was in formation for the Deaconess Community, and her story still challenges and inspires me. Elizabeth Fedde came to the States as a nurse at the request of others to work with Norwegian immigrants in Brooklyn. This led to the beginning of a Lutheran hospital. Then, in one article about her, it says this: “In 1888, Sr. Elisabeth interrupted her ministry in Brooklyn to begin deaconess work in Minneapolis.”
She interrupted her ministry to begin deaconess work in Minneapolis. This woman was working as a nurse in Brooklyn, and on her ‘time off,’ she went to Minneapolis to do work that eventually became another hospital and a deaconess institute there. The rest of her life reveals an ongoing struggle to really be confident that her life was adequately reflecting her deep desire to serve God by serving others. That struggle leaves behind her several hospitals that continue to build on the foundation she laid.
People ask me why I am a Deaconess. In many ways, it’s because of stories of women like Elizabeth Fedde. It’s because of women whose ministries are interrupted by the work of starting hospitals and training institutions. It’s because of women who at age 80 or older are still gathering women together for prayer and activating their community to serve the children. It’s because of women who have a spirituality that leads to liturgical dance, poetry and activism. It’s because of women who commit their lives to being at the side of those who are suffering and standing up for those who are overlooked. It’s because of women who have the skills and competencies to be in executive leadership roles, and choose to use those skills to walk alongside faith communities.
When someone first suggested to Elizabeth Fedde that she consider becoming a Deaconess, she said, “Do you mean those women we see on the streets wearing peculiar dress? No thank you. I shall not join them.”
I am a Deaconess because of women like Elizabeth Fedde, who did join those women wearing peculiar dress, and whose life was interrupted by a call to serve God by serving others.