Welcome To the Lithuania 5-14 Blog

WELCOME to this story of 11 US United Methodist Women going on an “Ubuntu” trip to Lithuania, from May 12-19, 2014.  “Ubuntu” is an Nguni Bantu term that has no direct English translation, but describes the African concept that a spirit of kinship is created across both race and creed that unites womankind/mankind when bonded to a common purpose. 

The common purpose of this trip is to meet the women in the Methodist Churches in various parts of Lithuania.  We are hoping to establish social connections between us, to hear each other’s stories, to grow spiritually, to share the exciting history of the UMW, and its far reaching efforts in human rights, social justice, and women’s empowerment.  In our founding in 1869, the earliest precursor  to UMW was a society called the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society.  They specified the organization was "to be managed and conducted only by women, to ensure societal participation of all marginalized people around the world."  What a thrilling mission to share with Lithuanian women!

Background: Lithuania gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 after more than 50 years of occupation.  In November 1994, two members of the General Board of Global Ministries’ staff, David Wu and S.T. Kimbrough, accompanied by the Rev. Arthur Leifert, a Lithuanian-born German pastor, went searching to find traces of Methodism in Lithuania. During the occupation, Methodists had been denied their status as a religious body and places of worship were confiscated.

While visiting 8 cities, the searchers located 3 former Methodist parsonages, and found two Methodist church buildings (in Kaunas and Pilviskiai).  They only met 3 surviving Methodists, one of whom still had her Lithuanian Methodist hymnbook published in 1923!  Based on this visit and with the support of Board of Global Ministries and Bishop Vaxby of the Northern Europe Central Conference of the Methodist Church, a decision was made to renew Methodism in Lithuania with the first Methodist service held on August 30, 1995 in Kaunas.  During the next 10 years, ten congregations were started with the latest in 2005 in Penevezys.  There are now 5 indigenous ordained pastors and 1 more will be ordained pastor and 1 will be ordained deacon at the Annual Conference in April 2014. This is the first deacon ordination in Lithuania UMC!

Several Missionaries also serve there; one of whom is hosting us: Helen Lovelace, whose family is from Norway.  Before coming to Lithuania she served 14 years as GBGM missionary in Ukraine.

The churches’ primary needs are leadership development, financial sustainability, and facilities for worship.    There are two Advance Special projects focusing on women and children:  #13555A for Summer Camp for Lithuanian Children and Youth so they can have a Christian camping experience; and  #14934A for Developing healthy Christian Families through support service, job training, & afterschool programs.  There is also an Advance to support Helen and Bill Lovelace’s missionary work #12168A.

Please come back to read more as our planning is completed!

Many blessings on this day God has made, or in Lithuanian 

 “Daug palaiminimu sia diena Dievas padare”.

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Background obtained from History of UMC-Lithuania on the web.  UMW Ubuntu Journeys website