Eleanor is the only American member of the Ladies of Bethany, a Dutch congregation founded to promote ecumenism and work among the unchurched. She retired from full-time teaching and administration in 2010 after 27 years helping to prepare students for intercultural, interreligious mission and ministry. She helped facilitate more than 100 traveling seminars to the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations in South Dakota and introduced students to inner-city and intercultural contexts in Chicago. She served for many years as the director of the World Mission Program, organizing lectures and student exchanges about global mission.

Eleanor continues to serve as adjunct, leading a theological reflection group for the Ministry Practicum course and she provides spiritual direction for individuals.