You are warmly invited to participate in the 50th Anniversary Worship Service and Events celebrating the ordination of Latvian Lutheran women pastors!
Fifty years ago, in 1975, Archbishop Jānis Matulis of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (ELCL) ordained pastors Helēna Valpētere, Berta Stroža, and Vaira Bitēna in Riga. Although this practice was discontinued under the leadership of Archbishop Jānis Vanags, elected in 1993, the ordination of Latvian women pastors continues abroad in the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Worldwide, where the first woman pastor—Agnese Pone—was ordained as early as 1974. Latvian women theologians also began serving as pastors in other countries’ churches more than 50 years ago, starting with the ordination of Brigita Vēvere in 1974 in the Church of Sweden. Over these 50 years, the total number of ordained Latvian Lutheran women pastors has come to exceed 50.
Thirty years ago, in 1995, the Association of Latvian Lutheran Women Theologians (ALLWT) was established. For 30 years, the association has worked to strengthen fellowship among women theologians, to provide education for its members, and to maintain contacts with women theologians abroad. The association’s goals are to strengthen and support the professional service of women theologians in church and society, to inform the public about the association’s work and the role of women in the church, and to promote understanding of women’s rights and gender equality issues in both church and society. The association collaborates with the Lutheran World Federation as well as with Lutheran and ecumenical organizations worldwide.
The anniversary events will take place in Riga from September 5 to 7, 2025:
Friday, September 5
14:00–17:00 – Academic Conference: “Called and Uncovered: Women, Church, Society” Language: English Location: Media Hub, Merķeļa iela 21, Riga. Registration and welcome from 13:30
20:00 Screening of the documentary film “Svārstības” at KSuns cinema (Elizabetes iela 83/85, Riga); followed by a discussion with director Kristīne Briede and two main protagonists, evangelist Agrita Staško and pastor Dr. Dace Balode.
Saturday, September 6
12:00 “Gaviļu gads! Jubilee year!” anniversary worship service at Rīgas Lutera draudze (Riga Luther Church) (Torņakalna iela 5, Riga).
13:30 Reception at the Riga Luther Church Fellowship Hall
Sunday, September 7
Opportunity to attend worship services led by women pastors and evangelists.
All events are free and open to the public. Your registration by August 25 will help us with our planning: https://forms.gle/Eqdg8LjzxvtQ8B146