November 11, 2004 (Baltimore, MD) – LSA President receives prestigious Bertha Paulssen Award

Jill Schumann, President & CEO of Lutheran Services in America received the Bertha Paulssen Award for Distinguished Christian Service at an awards ceremony on October 27, 2004. The award, presented by the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, is given to those who by their example have contributed to the church’s ministry of caring for the needs of others. Ms. Schumann has served in many capacities and with many serving organizations throughout her career in human care ministry. She has been the President of Lutheran Services in America since 2001.

In her remarks in response to the award, Ms. Schumann highlighted ways in which Lutheran social ministry organizations are increasingly demonstrating a broad concern for collective action and, in so doing, exhibiting the concept of “churchmanship”. She called upon the church to reclaim not only this term, but the ideals it entails.

Also on October 27 the seminary presented President’s Awards to three men who have had long careers in Lutheran social ministry. The Rev. Dr. Charles Miller currently serves as Executive for Administration of the ELCA, but formerly served for many years as that church’s lead executive in working with social ministry organizations. The Rev. Dr. Daun McKee is currently the President & CEO of Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries and has a long career in executive leadership of Lutheran social ministry organizations. The Rev. Dr. Frederick Aigner likewise has served for decades in social ministry leadership and is currently the President & CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. All three men are distinguished alumni of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg.