United Lutheran Church in America Lutheran Deaconess Motherhouse and Training School, Baltimore, Maryland

A training school for the deaconesses opened in 1901 the day after the dedication for the new motherhouse at the W. North Avenue location in Baltimore. The training school emphasized parish work, since the General Synod decided in the beginning to emphasize parish work as one of the ministries of deaconesses. However, sisters were trained in nursing as well. Requirements for admission included being between the ages of approximately 18-36. A deaconess candidate had to be unmarried or a widow with at least a high school education, have written consent of her parents or guardians, be in good health with proof of a health examination, submit a biographical sketch answering specific questions supplied by motherhouse, and have a recommendation from her pastor.

Length of training depended upon on a candidate's previous education and training, but generally the time needed to train a deaconess for work in the field was two to three years with practical training and hospital training comprising a portion of this time. Applicants were first candidates and after six months became probationers. After probationers finished their coursework and completed a year or more of practical work, they were eligible for consecration, or "setting apart." Deaconesses did not take vows, but were expected to be very certain that diaconal work was their life calling. Diaconal training was paid for by the church, but if a sister left the motherhouse voluntarily before she had completed a certain number of years of service, she would have to repay the full cost of her training and education, or depending on the situation, an amount determined by the United Lutheran Church in America's (ULCA) Board of Deaconess Work (BDW).

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