Latvia

The Diocese of Salisbury has been twinned with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia since the late 1980s. At its heart the link is an expression of Christian fellowship through visits, friendship, letters/e-mails, and prayer.

The personal contact and friendship that arises out of visits between the two countries is the vital element that makes the link a reality. People from parishes meet and become friends, and find their Christian lives enriched by meeting Christians of another culture. More here.

Latvia Working Party
Church House
Crane Street
Salisbury
SP1 2QB

The Chairman of the Latvia Working Party is Canon Paul Richardson:
01380 724389, Paul.Richardson8@btinternet.com

The Secretary is the Revd Paul Barnes:
01225 753162, paulNbarnes@hotmail.com

News and events 

Current Projects

• The most active of our parish links. Regular contact between churches and exchange visits. St Saviour’s, the Anglican church in Riga, has a special ministry to the homeless and the elderly - they operate two projects from their church, a Soup Kitchen and a Senior’s Club, both of which have received financial support from the Sherborne Abbey congregation.
• Contact Mr David Smart: dss_sherborne@hotmail.com

• This friendship link is mostly focused on exchange of letters, e-mails, greetings cards, although church members from Talsi have visited Trowbridge.
• Contact Mrs Ann Morland: AnnMorland@silverstreetlane.fsnet.co.uk

• At present this link is limited to the exchange of greetings cards between one member of each congregation.

• In the past, four youth and children’s workers from Latvia were taken by members of All Saints to the Greenbelt Festival, later a family from Poole joined the Sloka parish holiday camp in Latvia.

• In May 2005, the Salisbury Cathedral Chapter Clerk, Brig Kit Owen, and the Head of Visitor Services, Alun Williams, visited Riga at the invitation of the Dean of Riga Cathedral, to see whether they could offer advice and support as the Latvian Church prepared to take over possession of the Cathedral from the Government. A very fruitful relationship has since developed between the Cathedrals, and a number of exchange visits have taken place.

• The Latvia Link does not receive any financial support from the diocesan annual budget, but through the generosity of a number of parishes and individuals it has some funds which are used mainly to help fund exchange visits.
• If you would like to make a contribution towards this work, our account is overseen by the Diocesan Accountant Phil Musselwhite: phil.musselwhite@salisbury.anglican.org

• Please pray for new opportunities to create links between our Diocese and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, and for a deepening of existing links.
• Please pray that Archbishop Janis will be blessed with good health, strength and wisdom as he carries the responsibilities of leadership.
• Please pray for all Latvians who have come to our country seeking work, that they will be welcomed and treated with fairness and justice by their employers.
• Give thanks that the ancient church of St Peter's, Riga, is being returned to church ownership, and for its renewed mission and ministry.
• Please pray for the congregation of St Saviour's, Riga, and their pastor, Juris Calitis, following the violent response to their support of the gay community, and pray that the Anglican church's stance will not damage our relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Amen.

Amen.