Rev. Steve Keiser was received to the ELCA clergy roster this morning during the 11 a.m. worship service at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion in Philadelphia. Bishop Claire Burkat, ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod preached at the service and presided at the Rite of Reception. Keiser is pastor at Holy Communion, along with Rev. Kari Hart.
Rev. Keiser is the 15th pastor who was extraordinarily ordained to be received onto the ELCA clergy roster. Other ELM pastors and other LGBTQ rostered leaders have also been reinstated or received onto the ELCA roster.
The ELCA Rite of Reception is the formal rite developed by the ELCA to receive ELM roster members who had been extraordinarily ordained onto the ELCA clergy roster.