Elizabeth Waid

Elizabeth R. Waid, one of the first seven women ordained by the Lutheran Church in America in 1974 and the first woman to earn a Masters of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1973, has died. Reverend Waid began her career as an associate pastor in 1974 for the Camden Lutheran Parish in Camden N.J., an urban coalition of churches that included, at the time, Christus, Trinity, Epiphany, Nazareth and Grace Lutheran churches. She was based at Christus where she served until 1979. During her tenure she was instrumental in the development and expansion of the Good Samaritan Center, an ecumenical social services agency that still serves homeless and low-income families.

After Camden, Pastor Waid served the New Jersey congregations of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Kendall Park from 1979-1988; Apostles Lutheran Church in Turnersville from 1988-2003; and, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Little Egg Harbor from 2003-2012. Under her leadership each congregation increased their community outreach efforts, particularly those designed to serve ‘the least among us’. In June she retired from active ministry and in November moved to Absecon, N.J.

Prior to being ordained, she served as Director of Christian Education at Trinity Lutheran Church in Camp Hill, Pa. from 1961-1967 and was a lay associate for Tabernacle Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, Pa. from 1967-1974. Her employment at Tabernacle afforded Waid the opportunity to express her talents and skills in an urban setting during a challenging time in the nation’s history. At that time, Tabernacle was building on efforts to make their ministry inclusive in the wake of a racially changing neighborhood. “Under her leadership there was a creative explosion of activity in the areas of Christian education and youth ministry”, and she was half of a duo which “led the congregation through a fascinating period of liturgical renewal.”

Born in Syracuse, NY, Liz grew up in Washington, DC, one of three girls born to Frederic and Sylvia Waid. Pastor Waid earned degrees from Earlham College, American University, the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettsyburg and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. She did some of her undergraduate studies at the Free University in Berlin and at the Georg August University in Gottingen, Germany. Pastor frequently conducted services in German while serving the Camden Lutheran Parish.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her older sister, Marialyce Martin, and a nephew Gerald Murdock, and is survived by her younger sister, Margaret Vegeler, four nephews, a niece and their families. She also leaves behind Pech Sok and her daughter Kossal Walls, both of whom Liz sponsored from Cambodia in 1981 after they escaped the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge.

A memorial service will be celebrated at Reformation Lutheran Church, Route 9 at Biscayne Avenue, Absecon, on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 11am. Inurnment will occur at Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, DC, at the convenience of the family.

For online condolences and tributes, please visit www.parselsfuneralhome.com.