Lilija Tenhāgena
(born 1962, Sigulda, Latvia) – deacon
She was born into a devout Volga German family who had been repressed under the Soviet regime. The family moved from the Ural region to Latvia and, after receiving permission to emigrate, continued their life in West Germany in 1975.
Despite her parents’ objections, Lilija fulfilled her dream and attended the Münster Latvian Gymnasium. During her studies, she received a scholarship to study Latvian for one year at Western Michigan University in the United States under lecturer Lalita Muižniece. Returning to Germany, Lilija continued her studies in Baltic philology.
Lilija’s life then followed a period in German-speaking surroundings while raising her children.
In 2011, Lilija became chair of the board of the Münster Latvian congregation, asking herself: “How could I complain that the Latvian congregation would disappear if I did nothing?” In 2021, after receiving the necessary education, Lilija was ordained as a deacon in the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Worldwide and continues to voluntarily lead worship services in the Münster Latvian congregation.
When preparing sermons, Lilija compares different translations of biblical texts and ensures that her Latvian is expressive and rich. The goal of her sermons is to help people grow: God’s heart is far larger and more generous than we can ever imagine or limit with our own ideas.
Mug, that belonged to theologian Austra Reine in California, USA, gifted to Lilija Tenhagen in Münster in 1986
In the summer of 1986, while still a student, I had to find another apartment in Münster. It turned out that Austra Reine, who had worked for a time as a teacher at the MLĢ, was preparing to return to the United States. I could take over a small apartment from her. In it, she left me a mug made in California with the inscription: ‘Kiss me I’m Latvian.’
This mug has been a quiet companion for almost 40 years; I only use it on special occasions and give it only to special people. It always reminds me that with my knowledge, I can serve Latvians.
On the other hand, the worship service on a national holiday is very special. We all sit in a large circle. When I begin the sermon, I open it to the entire audience – then everyone in the circle can participate and share what is important and dear to them or what they are especially thankful to God for. During the service, we have coffee and birthday pastries. I wear traditional dress rather than a robe, and the congregation’s board also wears traditional attire. The atmosphere is warm and festive, and it is so beautiful to be together! People enjoy it, and after the final blessing, we all agree: we’ll do it again next year!
Lilija Tenhāgena
(born 1962, Sigulda, Latvia) – deacon
She was born into a devout Volga German family who had been repressed under the Soviet regime. The family moved from the Ural region to Latvia and, after receiving permission to emigrate, continued their life in West Germany in 1975.
Despite her parents’ objections, Lilija fulfilled her dream and attended the Münster Latvian Gymnasium. During her studies, she received a scholarship to study Latvian for one year at Western Michigan University in the United States under lecturer Lalita Muižniece. Returning to Germany, Lilija continued her studies in Baltic philology.
Lilija’s life then followed a period in German-speaking surroundings while raising her children.
In 2011, Lilija became chair of the board of the Münster Latvian congregation, asking herself: “How could I complain that the Latvian congregation would disappear if I did nothing?” In 2021, after receiving the necessary education, Lilija was ordained as a deacon in the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Worldwide and continues to voluntarily lead worship services in the Münster Latvian congregation.
When preparing sermons, Lilija compares different translations of biblical texts and ensures that her Latvian is expressive and rich. The goal of her sermons is to help people grow: God’s heart is far larger and more generous than we can ever imagine or limit with our own ideas.
Mug, that belonged to theologian Austra Reine in California, USA, gifted to Lilija Tenhagen in Münster in 1986
“The greatest joy for me in Church ministry is the National Independence Day, November 18. On one hand, nothing is as challenging as addressing an audience on these national celebrations, because I cannot simply say ‘we, Latvians.’ That would create a dissonance, as I am not Latvian. I need to find a different way to express what I want to say – how Latvians do things, the traditions Latvians have, their history in Latvia.
On the other hand, the worship service on a national holiday is very special. We all sit in a large circle. When I begin the sermon, I open it to the entire audience – then everyone in the circle can participate and share what is important and dear to them or what they are especially thankful to God for. During the service, we have coffee and birthday pastries. I wear traditional dress rather than a robe, and the congregation’s board also wears traditional attire. The atmosphere is warm and festive, and it is so beautiful to be together! People enjoy it, and after the final blessing, we all agree: we’ll do it again next year!”
On the other hand, the worship service on a national holiday is very special. We all sit in a large circle. When I begin the sermon, I open it to the entire audience – then everyone in the circle can participate and share what is important and dear to them or what they are especially thankful to God for. During the service, we have coffee and birthday pastries. I wear traditional dress rather than a robe, and the congregation’s board also wears traditional attire. The atmosphere is warm and festive, and it is so beautiful to be together! People enjoy it, and after the final blessing, we all agree: we’ll do it again next year!
