CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD
MISSION TRIP TO LATVIA
November 1-10, 2006

The purpose of this trip is to get a first hand look at and experience with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (ELCL) and then return to encourage churches in the circuit to support the Latvian Church with financial offerings and prayers. During the trip, we plan to upload photos to the District website, so that members can share in the experiences and the sights of the mission trip.

The Latvian Lutherans have suffered greatly during the five decade occupation by the Soviet Union. During communist rule, every effort was made to curtail the influence of religion. All potential avenues of contact with the population were cut off. Schools, media, books, and workplaces were all off-limits to religious organizations. Even charity work was forbidden. Indeed, the family itself was not at liberty to guide children into active church work until the age of eighteen. Thus, no Sunday schools, religious choirs, or camps were open to young people.

Religious publications, with a few exceptions, were limited to yearbooks and song sheets for Sunday services. Regular churchgoers were subject to various pressures, including harassment at work and comradely visits by local atheists. Anyone with career ambitions had to forgo visible links with religion. The state successfully preempted the most important church ceremonies of baptism, confirmation, weddings, and funerals by secular ceremonies. In 1986 the Lutheran Church registered 1,290 baptisms, 212 confirmations, 142 marriages, and 605 funerals--a fraction of the activity that was to soon occur with national freedom from Soviet occupation.

Starting in 1987, the Lutheran Church in Latvia experienced a revival pioneered by a group of young, rebellious, and very well-educated clergy who formed the organization Rebirth and Renewal (Atdzimsana un Atjaunosana). There were confrontations with communist authorities and with the ossified hierarchy of the Lutheran Church itself, which had become somnolent and very accommodating to the demands of secular powers. With the advent of freedom from the Soviet Union, the Lutheran Church was able to expand its role and its activities. Church buildings were refurbished, demolished churches were renewed, Sunday schools were opened, religious education was provided in day schools, and the media reported sermons and religious discussions.

We thank God for the renewal of our brother and sister Lutherans in Latvia and ask God to lead us in helping them with our prayers and offerings.
 
Photos: You can view all photos from the trip by visiting the photographer’s website at bbmphoto and then enter the pass code LATVIA.