Cross of Life Church to Conscecrate Houck as Diaconal Minister

announces the consecration of Mary Houck as a Diaconal Minister of Word and Service on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Houck will have a focus on managing programs for the church’s children and youth for the church, which has members in Roswell and Alpharetta.

The consecration, which is similar to the ordination of a pastor, will comprise a full worship service and Rite of Consecration officiated by Bishop H. Julian Gordy. The consecration is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the church, which is located at 1000 Hembree Road. The community is welcome to attend the service, as well as the reception that follows.

Houck will be joining the ranks of professionals who serve as chaplains, disaster relief workers and other roles that serve their congregations and communities.

As part of the service, Houck will be presented with a towel and basin, symbols of service that reflect the image of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. In addition, the diaconal banner, which is kept at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (Gettysburg, PA), will be present at Houck’s consecration.

“Young people have a lot to offer, with capabilities far beyond what we give them credit for,” says Houck. “I believe they just need to be encouraged to ask questions and express themselves, and the contributions to their communities and the world will follow. Cross of Life Lutheran Church has the leadership and programs in place to nurture their natural tendencies to give of themselves.”

Houck is a summa cum laude graduate of the George Washington University, with a Masters of Arts in Ministerial Studies for Diaconal Ministry from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Her experience includes service as director of youth and family ministry at Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Ocean Springs, Miss., as well as numerous volunteer roles serving youth groups in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Slovakia.

“As the former pastor of Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Mississippi, I witnessed Mary Houck’s talent and passion for the children and young adults in our community,” said Terri Stagner-Collier, pastor of Cross of Life. “We’re fortunate to bring that kind of dedication to Cross of Life, Roswell and beyond.”

Cross of Life is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), a denomination established in 1988, with the concept of Diaconal Ministries formalized in 1993.