Bible Festival in Kekava

On 30th of October, just before Reformation Day, the Dole Lutheran parish that serves population of Kekava, village a little bit outside Riga, organized the Bible Festival. Representatives of the Bible Society and Scripture Union were invited to address the congregation. The Bible Society representative, editor of the new Bible translation Milda Klampe who is also evangelist in the Lutheran Church preached sermon and gave a lecture on the Bible translation project. People attending this event were able to purchase books produced by the Latvian Bible Society, to attend Bible Exhibition and to take part in small quiz. ? hope that many people will be encouraged to start reading the Bible and they will do it with joy and interest. Thus they will develop more personal relationships to God,said member of the parish, main organizer of this event Antra Martinsone.

Different musical instruments mentioned in Psalms were played during the Bible Festival.

Bible festival in Daugavpils

Following invitation of pastor Vjačeslav Istratij in 8th of October Board Chair of the Latvian Bible Socioety Rev. Ojārs Incenbergs took part in the Bible festival organized by the Daugavpils Baptist Church. Church had a seminar on the history of Slavonic Bible and the Bible translation work in Russian (including recently released new translation). It was possible to get acquainted with the Bible history exhibition and Bible editions from various centuries. O. Incenbergs had a lecture on origins of the Bible, its archeology and translation work.

Daugavpils Baptist pastor Vjačeslav Istratij and Board Chair O. Incenbergs with the original edition of the first Bible in Latvian (Gluck's Bible, 17th cent.) and the 4th edition of the Bible in Latvian(1825).

Daugavpils Baptist Church.

New Bible translation in Russian

On June 1, 2011 the Bible Society in Russia released the new Bible translation which they had been preparing for 15 years. It can be considered the second Bible translation in Russian after so called synodal edition published in 1876. In the next day after launching half of the print-run was sold. Total print-run was 15 000 copies. In September was published revised edition of the new translation. This contemporary translation is based on the best copies of the original texts and utilizes recent discoveries in scholarly biblical research.

In the light of Divine Word

The Latvian Bible Society in June produced CDs with audio recording of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. This project was accomplished thanks to our supporters. Until now we have produced 4 CDs with portions of biblical texts. Part of them always goes free of charge to organizations serving visually impaired people. We followed this tradition also this time and 100 copies reached listeners in all parts of Latvia.

Among those who received this recording was Riga Christ Lutheran Church. Its pastor Agris Sutra told us that once a month his parish has worship service in Strazdumuiža – institution for visually impaired people.

One of most active organizations for visually impaired people is in the city of Liepāja. Board Chair of Liepāja Society for Blind Māris Ceirulis told us, “such recordings are very needed, especially for blind people. While listening it is possible to think about the text, to compare it with what has been heard in worship services, to get to know God’s truth. It is convenient that recording is divided in files that makes it easy to find necessary chapter.”

Lutheran pastor Agris Sutra receives donated CDs.

Psalms and some other Old Testament poetry books in mp3 format

In June was released audio recording in mp3 format with Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Listeners probably will recognize familiar voices of long-time radio journalists Sendija Burka-Šaicanova, Gunārs Jākabsons, pastor Edgars Mažis and actors Dita Lūriņa-Egliena and Mārtiņš Egliens. Part of recordings will be given free of charge to organizations and parishes working for visually impaired people: Library for Blind, Liepāja Society of Blind People, Group of Catholic Blind People, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Riga as well as to individuals who are visually impaired.

Many thanks to all 406 persons who supported production of this CD during the campaign Bible Club 2010.

The Latvian Bible Society supports campaign “Easter Donor”

The Latvian Bible Society together with other publishing houses and various organizations supported campaign “Easter Donor 2011” organized by the Latvian Student portal “StudentNet”(www.studentnet.lv) and the State Blood Center. The Latvian Bible Society for participants of the campaign donated the Gospel of Luke in journal format especially designed for young people. 104 donors donate blood during event that took place on 21 April, Maundy Thursday at the premises of University of Latvia. All of donors received small gifts. The campaign is organized sixth time.

“Bible Adventure” in Sweden and Latvia

At the beginning of April in Sweden took place “Bible Adventure” seminar. Among participants where also two persons from Latvia who already have been using this Bible teaching program for kids - Kristīne Vainovska un Ilze Žaime. Kristīne (from Rīga First Methodist Church) has been leading several “Bible Adventure” seminars on the Old Testament. This time she and her colleague (from the town of Liepāja) learned how to use this methodology in teaching about the New Testament. In autumn both of them will be involved in sharing their experiences and knowledge with others and leading seminars on the Old and New Testament. Participants of these seminars will be provided with copies of handbook and other materials. The Latvian Bible Society thanks all supporters whose donations have made it possible to organize these seminars.

Annual Assembly

In 6 April took place Annual Assembly of the Latvian Bible Society. As always, its program consisted of reports presented by staff and debates on past and near future of the Bible Society work. Devotions were lead by the Catholic priest from Ventspils Marcins Silvāns Virkovskis. This time assembly also had elections of Board and Auditing Committee. Members of newly elected Board are: G. Bezdelīga, M. Virkovskis, P. Cielavs, P. Brūvers, M. Ignats, A. Baštiks, J. Balodis, J. Ņečajeva, O.Incenbergs, A. Bērziņš, Ā. Bergmane, J. Ozolinkevičs, Z. Jansons, G. Medne. Members of Auditing Committee: D. Morica, A. Jākobsons, V. Pavasars. Denominational belonging of Board members represents inter-confessional nature of the Bible work. Among Board members are Catholics, Lutherans, Orthodox, Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, Methodists, Pentecostals, members of Salvation Army and Evangelical Jesus Church. Rev. O. Incenbergs was reelected as Chairperson of the Board.

News from Japan

Four members of staff from the Japan Bible Society set out yesterday (March 27) to take Bibles and relief goods by truck and van to Sendai, in North East Japan. The city is among the areas worst affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

In a letter thanking the UBS fellowship for their prayers and support, the Rev Wakoto Watabe, the Society’s General Secretary, said that, since the earthquake struck two weeks ago, roads and highways had begun to recover, allowing relief aid to get to the affected areas. “Information is still mixed,” he said, “and it is difficult to tell the actual number of victims and what is really needed – but we hope to receive reports from our staff soon.”

  The Bible Society is planning to work through large churches in the area. “We are trying to work out the cost of the project,” said Mr Watabe, “but analysing costs is difficult at the moment so what we can achieve will depend on the amount we can raise. We have also launched a fundraising campaign locally and hope to provide the following support:
- 5,000 picture Bibles and 5,000 manga Bibles for children and 10,000 Bibles for adults;
relief aid;
church recovery and rebuilding funds.

He reported that Tokyo was still experiencing aftershocks every day and the threat of nuclear radiation contamination was "very much a reality." He thanked the Fellowship for their prayers and generous support.

“The flood of emails received from our colleagues all over the world has been such an encouragement to us all,” he said.”I would appreciate your keeping us in your prayers.”

Photo: A Sunday church service being held outdoors in the city of Sendai a little over a week after the earthquake of March 11.

(UBS Information Service)

The first Bible Concordance in Latvian

The first Bible Concordance in Latvian was published in January. This is a very good tool now made available for Latvian Bible readers. The Concordance has been very long project (from 1998) because of the limited financial resources we had. It is done in very close cooperation with the team of the computer linguistics of the British and Foreign Bible Society. We are especially thankful to the Norwegian Bible Society for supporting publication of this work!

The Concordance has been donated to theological students of various institutions and to various churches: Luther’s Academy, Baltic Pastoral Institute, Roman Catholic Seminar of Riga, Faculty of Theology of University of Latvia, the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Latvia, Pentecostal Union of Latvia and the Latvian United Methodist Church.

Photos: General Secretary Valdis Tēraudkalns handles copies of Concordance over to the Management Director of the Union of Baptist Churches in Latvia Žanna Drūnese and librarian Rita Ziņģe and to Catholic seminarians.

Photo: Assistant to Superintendent of the United Methodist Church of Latvia Kristīne Vainovska distributes Concordances among pastors.

Fundraising campaigns 2010 have been finished

The Latvian Bible Society is very thankful to 2201 donors who support our FR campaigns donating 23 257,24 Ls (33 224 EUR) during year 2010. They helped us in spreading the Word of God in various ways.

Full story >>

Help to live!

108 donors supported the campaign “Help to live!”. They have donated 1809,50 Ls (2584 EUR). These financial resources were used to donate the Bible, New Testament and other books for children to the non-profit Christian charity organization “Raven's Fund” that support people in need with food. Thank you for all our donors!

Full story >>

“My Advent Gift”

Campaign "My Advent Gift" has been finished in February 2011. 1483 donors supported this campaign. They have donated 12 560,50 Ls (17 942, 8 EUR). These financial resources will be used to implement the second part of the Bible learning program "Bible Adventure". This part is aimed at teaching the New Testament to children. 10% of the campaign income (870,- Ls/1242 EUR) will be delivered to the Georgia Bible Society for donating children Bibles for children of families displaced during the August 2008 Russian-Georgian war.

Full story >>

Gospel of Luke in Āgenskalns

In 13th of January 2011 General Secretary of the Latvian Bible Society Valdis Tēraudkalns participated in youth worship service of the Rīga Āgenskalns Baptist Church. He told worshippers about recently published Gospel of Luke in journal-type format

Thank you all!

The Latvian Bible Society sincerely thanks all our supporters who this year have supported us in trying to make the Bible available and relevant to people. This year because of financial reasons we did not send thank you letters to all who have donated us but it does not mean that you are less valuable to us. Thanks also to those who have donated anonymously. We do not know your name and therefore we are not able to express our thanks personally however we greatly value your help. Thanks for all your good wishes and prayers. Thanks also to people who have donated by calling to our special phone number.

---

News archive >>

---

up

News | Catalogue
About us | Contacts | Links

© The Latvian Bible Society
17 Kooperativa Street, Riga,
LV 1067, Latvia
Phone: (371) 7412141, (371) 7470585, Fax: (371) 7471818