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Philip Gruenbaum and David Morstad guest lecturers at conference in Latvia

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Aurora Central Region Chaplain, Rev. Philip Gruenbaum and Bethesda's Chief Communications Officer, David Morstad, will be guest lecturers at a conference in the cities of Riga and Liepaja, Latvia in April, 2007.

Through a partnership between Impact, the Kopa Foundation and Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., Gruenbaum and Morstad will talk with pastors and other church professionals about the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities into their churches and communities.

“Our hope is to lay the groundwork of theology, example and encouragement to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (ELCA) as they move ahead with the area of disability ministry,” says Gruenbaum. “Together with Kopa, Bethesda envisioned a seminar to encourage pastors and other church professionals as we work together to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities in Latvia.”

“The goal of the conference is to introduce the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities into churches and communities in Latvia,” adds Morstad. “We will talk about Bethesda's work and how inclusion happens in the United States.”

Bethesda and Kopa are part of Impact, an alliance of five Lutheran service organizations in the United States and Europe that works together to promote the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities within their own communities. Kopa (pronounced Kwapah) is the Latvian Word for “together.”

Now in its second century of service, Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc. provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the country and throughout the world. It is Bethesda’s mission to support the needs of the individual—both physical and spiritual—and as a result, Bethesda offers many different types of services for the individual and their family, including a variety of residential facilities, supported-living programs, outreach services and secular training workshops. For more information on Bethesda’s services and support programs, call the public relations office at 800.369.4636, ext. 3817, or email: pr@blhs.org.