Throughout her studies, Estere Pumpura has always stood out not only for her theological knowledge, diligence, and good results, but also for her inexhaustible activity. For a long time she has been involved in the student council of the UL Faculty of Theology, creating one of the most popular student events of the Faculty of Theology, and of the whole University of Latvia – the Uncomfortable Topics Paper Marathon. This platform, which Estere created for student papers on topics that are hushed up in society and uncomfortable, is still available – this year the Uncomfortable Topics Paper Marathon will take place on March 22.
In 2016, the Uncomfortable Topics Paper Marathon won the UL Student Council award in the category “Innovation of the Year”.
In addition, Estere also took part in the 5th season of the UL Business Incubator, realizing an idea for the production of clerical collar shirts in Latvia. This idea came to Estere during a Faculty of Theology student internship in Sandby (Sweden), where she encountered the problem that women pastors have to wear clerical collar shirts of a men’s cut. The aim of producing them is to provide clergy and Christians with high-quality products, while preserving simplicity in lines, elegance in form, and restraint in expression.
The opportunity to become a chaplain came to Estere relatively unexpectedly – she was approached by an NAF chaplain, a graduate of the UL Faculty of Theology, Uģis Brūklene. Reflecting on this offer, Estere did not doubt for a moment that this work would suit her, and she increasingly felt a calling to work in precisely this field. The opportunity to become a chaplain in the Latvian army seemed to Estere a wonderful continuation of her studies, one that had come at the right time. Estere emphasizes that “it was precisely the excursion to the NAF base as part of the practical theology course that was significant, because it was precisely in this course taught by professor Laima Geikina that I learned what a chaplain is and what their duties are. This topic interested me greatly, which is why I also wrote a study on it. In the course of the study I also asked NAF chaplains whether a woman can become a chaplain in the army, and the answer was ‘no’. In this case it is gratifying to see that time passes and things change”.
Army chaplains, in comparison, for example, with hospital and prison chaplains, mostly also need to obtain a military rank (in Latvia an army chaplain can be either a military or a civilian employee). In turn, in order to obtain a military rank, a chaplain needs to meet the same requirements as prospective soldiers (state of health, physical fitness, and other things are tested). In order to obtain the position of chaplain in the Latvian army, Estere had to pass the evangelist examination in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, to receive the approval of the head chaplain of the Chaplaincy Service, as well as to pass the NAF tests.
Estere emphasizes that in the Chaplaincy Service she does not feel any particular attitude because she is a woman: “I have felt welcomed and loved from the very first day, both by my coursemates, with whom we studied together from September to December, and by the chaplaincy service, and also by my unit in the Military Police”. Estere’s calling to get involved in various events is also expressed in her new position – as a chaplain, together with her unit, she is preparing for a swimming competition. As Estere herself comments, “this is a very good way to get to know and bond with one’s unit, because a chaplain is there where their unit is”. In conclusion, answering the question of how her studies at the Faculty of Theology have helped Estere in mastering and carrying out the duties of her new position, she replies: “these studies unequivocally help me in my position as a chaplain. Without such an academic education, as well as the acquisition of personal knowledge, it would not be possible to do such work. In my work I also encounter questions such as, for example, the differences between various religious traditions and pastoral care, as well as many others. It is very important for a chaplain to know this diversity and also what is happening elsewhere in the world“.
Source: Ilze Stikāne, Faculty of Theology of the University of Latvia 19.02.2019.
Photo: Latvian army photo archive
Read about this event elsewhere in the media:
the DELFI portal – Faculty of Theology graduate Pumpura has become the first woman army chaplain in Latvia 20.02.2019.
the Jauns.lv portal For the first time in the history of Latvia, a woman has become an army chaplain 22.02.2019.
an LNT video report For the first time in the Latvian army, spiritual care is taken on by a woman 01.03.2019.