A Special Guest Visited Good Shepherd Sunday, May 2, 2010 On Sunday May 2nd, we had a visit from the Rev. Gita Mednis, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Riga, Latvia and the District Superintendent of the thirteen United Methodist congregations in Latvia. She was preaching at the 9:15 and 11:00AM worship services. Rev. Mednis was in the U.S. for a meeting of the Friends of Latvia and Lithuania. Her visit will continue to strengthen the ties we share with sisters and brothers in Christ in Latvia. We have been in a connecting relationship to congregations there since 2004.

Latvia Mission Trip Five representatives from Good Shepherd traveled to Latvia as part of a mission trip. Starting Sunday, July 26th they served as counselors for a week in a Christian camping experience for troubled children. On Sunday, July 26th and Sunday, August 2nd they worshiped with other United Methodist in Latvia. In particular, they had a meeting with Rev. Edgars Sneiders and the people of Matras and Tasi congregations whom we help support. The team return to Waldorf on August 6th. The team members are Bob Kells, (Leader); Sarah Kells, Alina Busch, Emma Larsen, Pastor Steve Larsen. Click here to see Bob Kells' blog from the mission trip.

Mission Moment Our Connecting Congregations in Latvia

Where is Latvia?

Where is Matras?

Rev. Edgar Snieders his wife Gunta and their son Vilnis

Matras United Methodist Church On January 30 they celebrated their 10th anniversary of re-chartering The church began 1921 Closed by Soviet authorities in 1948 Services began to be held again in 1993 with the collapse of the Soviet Union

Congregation Special Christmas and Easter Services Sunday School Several Sunday school camps held each summer Christian evens held in local Cultural Center

Choirs

Tasi United Methodist Church A second, smaller congregation in a village not far from Matras. This congregation is five years old, started in 2000. There had never been a church there before. Christian evens held in local Cultural Center People are very open to the gospel here. For the last five years, the church met in two small rooms in an old historical building. The building has been sold to a developer who plans to convert it into a hotel. They are now meeting in borrowed apartments and hope to either buy or rent this. Much renovation would be needed.

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church As a “connecting congregation” Good Shepherd provides the financial support to run these two congregations. We will support them for three years. Between now and 2007, we hope to send a group there and perhaps receive a group from there as well.

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