MetroLutheran

Allen Dundek is the Auxiliary's chaplain.

These volunteers work quietly behind the scenes.

Finding ways to provide scholarships for chaplaincy training as well as extra support for working institutional chaplains is part of the 80-year tradition of the Lutheran Chaplaincy Auxiliary of Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Extra support from the Auxiliary can take the form of cash donations to meet specific needs, but it also includes prayer support and other help. Recent projects receiving support include: the Airport Counseling Service of the Rev. Robert White at Minneapolis/ St. Paul International Airport; purchase of a keyboard instrument for Bethesda Rehabili-tation Hospital’s Spiritual Care Department; and a chapel at Crest View Lutheran Home in Columbia Heights.
Over the past decade, expenditures have totaled well over $50,000. More than half the expenditures have been for scholarships, covering tuition for those enrolled in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) courses as well as those seeking additional training. The remainder has gone to special projects and a “cheer” fund that included such items as a picnic and Christmas and other special programs at the Ramsey County Nursing Home.
The Auxiliary was founded in 1922 under the leadership of a chaplain, the Rev. A. E. Frey. Its stated goal was “to further the cause of mission endeavor under the direction of institutional chaplains.” Initial membership consisted of 100 women from Twin Cities congregations affiliated with the Synodical Conference. (No longer in existence, the Conference included both LCMS and WELS.)
During its first 20 years the auxiliary supported:
n 6,994 services conducted in institutions;
n 23,600 visits to shut-ins;
n 16,000 classes conducted in Sunday schools.
Today, the group continues its support for chaplain-related ministry in numerous ways.
While the group’s roots are in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, today members represent other Lutheran bodies as well, say Meredithe Hedenstrom and Lenore Hart-mann, co-presidents of the group. Founded as the St. Paul Mission Auxiliary, the group changed its name to the Lutheran Chaplaincy Auxiliary of St. Paul in 1954. By 1962 the Lutheran Chaplaincy Service and its role in providing chaplains had become a part of Lutheran Social Service. The Auxiliary continued in its supportive role. The organization’s constitution states that its purpose is “to bring cheer and spiritual comfort to residents of public and private institutions and hospitals, through professional chaplains and volunteer services in cooperation with the Special Ministries Division of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, [and] to support the chaplaincy program of the Special Ministries Division with concern for retardation, physical and mental illnesses, corrections, rehabilitation, and the aged.”
Though the “auxiliary” part of the name originally implied it was a women’s organization, today men are also active in the group. Auxiliary activity can be a family tradition, too. For example, Co-President Lenore Hartmann followed in the footsteps of her mother, Irene Leininger, who was an auxiliary member for 60 years.
Recent projects or programs funded have included the purchase of Bibles for prison inmates, purchase of an electronic songbook for the Spiritual Care Department of the HealthEast Care System (to facilitate patient singing during worship services) and the Prince of Peace Deaf Ministry.
On the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Auxiliary, the L’Calm (Lutheran Chaplaincy Auxiliaries Living Memorial) Fund was established. Chaplain Ken Siess is administrator of the fund which is used to develop new pastoral ministries, match money designated for establishing new ministries, and sustain ministries which may be threatened.
The auxiliary also administers the Anna Pusch Memorial Fund established to grant scholarships to women entering the deaconess program, social work or parish work.
In part, through the auxiliary’s support for educating religious workers in the special needs of chaplaincy ministry, the concept of CPE has been extended to Germany, Norway, Ireland, Taiwan, and Japan.
The auxiliary’s symbol and theme are based in Isaiah 61: “…to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the broken-hearted, to comfort all who mourn, to give them a garland instead of ashes, that [God] may be glorified.”
The symbol consists of four acorns of the oak tree and the crutches forming a Greek Cross, with the Chi Rho monogram of Christ.
Over the years the organization has raised funds in a variety of ways, including operation of economy/thrift shops with volunteer help. Today, support is mainly through membership dues and offerings at monthly meeting as well as income from investments. Those meetings begin with a brown-bag lunch at noon. The program at 1 p.m. is usually presented by a CPE recipient and involves a description of the chaplain’s experiences. The auxiliary’s scholarship committee meets quarterly, in October, January, April and July.
Those interested in being involved in support of chaplaincy ministry through membership may contact Lenore Hartmann at 651/484-7914. Those interested in making CPE scholarship applications should contact Chaplain Ken Siess, 1460 Lincoln Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105.