December 16, 2005

CHICAGO – Ronald A. Schulz, a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Jamestown, N.D., a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), was taken hostage on or about Nov. 25 in Iraq. An Iraqi insurgent group claimed Dec. 8 to have killed Schulz, but the claim could not be confirmed by any other source.

The Rev. Kathie Bender Schwich, executive for synodical and constituent relations, and assistant to the presiding bishop, ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop, wrote Dec. 12 to the congregation's pastors – the Rev. Dennis H. Ellingsen and the Rev. Douglas F. Opp.

She told the pastors she learned of "the wonderful ways you have pulled members of the Jamestown community and members of the St. John faith community together to offer support and comfort to the Schulz family during this time of anxiety and uncertainty."

"Know that we give thanks to God for your ministry there. We continue to hold all of you in prayer as you wait, and watch, and worry," Schwich wrote.

Opp told the ELCA News Service that St. John hosted prayer vigils from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 9 and Dec. 15 that included "guided prayer time" with Scripture readings and reflections. Some Schulz family members attended.

"The family has been pleased with the support from the congregation and the community in this difficult time," Opp said. While not serving as a spokesperson for the family, he said the church has acted as a "go-between" to protect the family's privacy.

Opp said the congregation is considering another vigil in January. It is also exploring the value of vigils, he said, and a January vigil would be open to the needs of others.

Members of the Schulz family held a Dec. 8 news conference in Fargo, N.D., to issue a plea for Ronald's immediate release. His sister Julie Schulz read a prepared statement directed at Ronald's kidnappers.

"We're working on the assumption that he's alive. Until we get confirmation that he's not, that's what we're hoping for," Julie Schulz said.

Ronald Schulz, 40, graduated in 1983 from Jamestown High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1984 to 1991. He moved to Eagle River, Alaska, near Anchorage, and worked as an industrial electrician at sites around the world, while maintaining his membership at St. John Lutheran Church in Jamestown.

North Dakota Governor John Hoeven issued a Dec. 8 statement: "We extend our sympathy to Ron's family and friends during their ordeal, and continue to pray for him and the other hostages still in the custody of terrorists. We have spoken to Ron's family and expressed the support of all North Dakotans for them in these difficult times."

ELCA News Service