I’m deeply honored to share that Dean Lauma Zusevics of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (LELCA/LELBA) will be consecrated as Archbishop of the LELCA on April 19. Currently Dean Lauma serves as pastor of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Holy Trinity Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As Archbishop, she will represent the Latvian Lutheran Church outside of Latvia.
Latvian Lutherans seeking asylum after the Second World War were one of the first groups of people LIRS cared for. And now, LELCA, along with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, is a partner of LIRS, walking alongside migrants from around the world as they rebuild their lives in the United States.
Dean Lauma has been a robust partner in this ministry. She served as the LELCA liaison to LIRS, fostering a strong relationship between both organizations. Last year, she led the opening prayer at LIRS’s 75th Anniversary Walk of Courage Award Gala, encouraging people of faith to welcome newcomers, as we are all migrants.
I will be attending Dean Lauma’s consecration this weekend in Milwaukee, and am profoundly proud to support her as she continues on the journey of spreading God’s love.