Lejasciems Lutheran Congregation Marks 145th Anniversary
On 4 October, the Lutheran congregation of Lejasciems in Gulbene municipality marked 145 years of existence with a harvest festival service. Pastor Jānis Zvirgzdiņš received his pastoral office cross during the service.
The Lutheran congregation of Lejas in Lejasciems, in Latvia's Gulbene municipality, celebrated its 145th anniversary on 4 October with a special Harvest Festival service. The congregation has existed as a separate unit since 1881, when it split from the Lutheran congregation of Vecgulbene.
The Harvest Festival is regarded as the moment the congregation was born, so it was also blessed during the anniversary service.
Pastor receives office cross
During the celebration, the congregation's pastor, Jānis Zvirgzdiņš, was formally presented with the pastoral office cross. He has served for eight years in both the Lejas congregation and the Zeltiņi congregation in a neighbouring municipality.
Thanks to a long-serving member
The service also included thanks to congregation member Valda Deguna, who turned 88 on 3 October, for her many years of service. She has been the congregation's treasurer, bookkeeper and cashier. Her records were always very detailed and precise, so the congregation had no difficulty entering data electronically and preparing the required reports on time.
New council
The Lejas congregation is not large in numbers, but it is close-knit and friendly. Its heart and soul is its chair, Irēna Cīmure. The congregation recently held council re-elections, and at the 4 October service the new council, confirmed for the next three years, was consecrated.
