From 28 to 31 January 2024, the German association of Lutheran women theologians (Konvent Evangelischer Theologinnen) held its annual meeting in Selbitz, Bavaria, Germany. It took place on the premises of the Evangelical Brotherhood of Christ (Evangelische Christusbruderschaft), with around 60 women theologians from several German states and churches taking part. Representatives of the Latvian Lutheran Women Theologians’ Association were also invited; this time minister Elīza Zikmane and Prof. Dr. emer. Austra Reine took part.
This year’s theme was about inclusivity and the acceptance of the other. The German women theologians shared both their own experience stories, and together we analysed biblical texts. We enjoyed the hospitality of the community’s sisters and the special, prayer-saturated atmosphere, especially when we joined their morning prayers.
Discussions were sparked by current affairs in the German church, including the upcoming annual World Day of Prayer of Women, which this year will be on 1 March. Unfortunately, guests from other countries, including Sally Azar, the first woman Lutheran minister in the Holy Land, could not be present. She joined the meeting remotely and spoke about her ministry in very challenging circumstances.
We too, theologians from Latvia, were given the opportunity to tell about the situation of theologians in Latvia. We took pride in the fact that among us there are, or have been, an archbishop, deans, ministers, professors, authors of scholarly books, poets and other interesting women. We also told about the lectures and other events that we still organise, thanks in part to the material support we receive from the German women theologians. In turn, we gave them the opportunity to watch the film “Svārstības”, in which some of them can also be seen.
Next year the German association of Lutheran women theologians will celebrate its centenary, and LLSTA, as the “younger sister”, its 30 years. As we said our goodbyes, we resolved to continue the cooperation of theologians, reaching out across the Baltic Sea!
Austra Reine and Elīza Zikmane