While Americans seek to learn more about Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate selection, our national church body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has proudly shared that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, his wife Gwen, and their family belong to one of its congregations in his home state. Regardless of political persuasions, it is exciting to have a fellow Lutheran engaged in our nation’s democratic process as a candidate.
A Lutheran has never been elected to the office of United States President, nor has an Adventist, Anabaptist, Eastern Orthodox, Latter-day Saint, or Pentecostal. Our faith tradition, however, has included a Vice President: Hubert Humphrey, who also came from Walz’s state of Minnesota. Hoover, our country’s 38th Vice President, was raised Lutheran, but when he moved to a town that did not have a Lutheran church, he worshiped at a Methodist congregation.
Harris comes from an interfaith family, personally identifying as a Baptist and married to a Jewish husband, Doug Emhoff. Former President Donald Trump was raised as a Presbyterian but now considers himself a non-denominational Christian. His wife, Milania, is Catholic, as is his Vice Presidential candidate running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, who converted to Catholicism five years ago. Vance’s wife, Usha, is Hindu.
Although Lutherans rarely appear as candidates on national ballots, many are engaged in our country’s legislative process. According to “Living Lutheran” magazine, the 118th Congress boasts six U.S. Senators and 17 House Representatives who identify as Lutherans. While our denomination has yet to have an elected president, we can claim the top spot on the third branch of government. Former Chief Supreme Court Justice William H. Rehnquist was a member of an ELCA church. Also, our military leadership has also been blessed with our theological tendencies through the leadership of US Army General Norman Schwartzkopf, the commander of the Gulf Storm War.
Regardless of your voting preferences, we urge you to elect to worship with us on Sunday, August 11, at 9:30 AM. We welcome all believers in Christ, not just Lutherans. Come, vote for Jesus as your Savior! A worship bulletin is attached.
Blessings,
Pastor Marc
