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Russia Initiative Newsletter

This occasional newsletter gives up-to-date information about the Russia Initiative, which includes the countries of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova.

March 2008

Dear Friends and participants of the Russia Initiative, a program of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church,

This newsletter highlights four features:

  1. Russia Initiative Mini-Consultations to be held in Tennessee and Mississippi, April 14-15.
  2. Mission Initiatives Summit, Plano, TX, April 17-18.
  3. GBGM Announcement Regarding Area Financial Executive Position in Moscow.
  4. Stories of two churches in Eurasia in need of our prayers

1. Russia Initiative Mini-Consultations at Christ UMC, Memphis, Tennessee, April 14 and First UMC, Clinton, Mississippi, April 15, 2008.

Russia Initiative Mini-Consultations offer an opportunity for people and churches of a region to celebrate their involvement in the mission of the Russia Initiative and to share their enthusiasm with friends and colleagues who are interested in learning more about it. The gatherings feature presentations by Bishop Hans Växby who will share current information about the state of The United Methodist Church in Eurasia and its ministries. There will be opportunities to ask questions and to engage in dialogue with the Bishop. We invite persons involved in the Russia Initiative or those who want to learn more about this mission program. Mini-Consultations are great opportunities for people in a local region who have not been able to attend our national consultations, the last of which was in November 2007 in Kansas.

April 14, Christ United Methodist Church:

4488 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38117
Telephone: 901 683-3521

Luncheon Mini-Consultation at 11:30 am to 2:30 pm

Please see Christ UMC web page concerning this event for information and in order to make reservation for the luncheon ($5.00): http://www.cumcmemphis.org/default.aspx?pid=378
or send an email to the Christ Church missions office:
missions@cumcmemphis.org

April 15, First United Methodist Church

100 Mount Salus Drive
Clinton, MS 39056
Telephone: 601-924-6671

Luncheon Mini-Consultation at 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm

To reserve a plate for the lunch ($5.00), please send an email message to Linda Pope, Church Secretary: Linda@fumcclinton.org

2. MISSSION INITIATIVES SUMMIT, April 17-18, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Plano, Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth area)

We invite our Russia Initiative friends to attend the Mission Initiatives Summit April 17-18 during the week preceding the convening of the General Conference in Fort Worth. This is the first gathering of people involved in all of the eleven mission initiatives of our church. The Russia Initiative is the oldest of these mission programs and we would like to be well represented at this summit. We have much to share and much to learn from others involved in the mission initiatives around the world.

Our goal is to have 100 Russia Initiative participants in attendance. We are hoping that our friends in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana will find it possible to attend in strong numbers since their travel distance will be relatively short. Please help us to share information about this event. Invite your friends and the mission leadership of your church to attend.

Bishop Hans Växby and members of the General Conference Eurasia delegation will attend the event. We will have a Russia Initiative session together with them as a part of the summit program on Thursday afternoon, April 17, 1:00 – 6:00 pm.

Please see the following webpage to obtain information about the program, online registration, and directions:
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/news/events/?C=2923&i=16762

Location of the Summit:
St. Andrew UMC, 5801 W. Plano Pkwy, Plano, TX 75093

Hotel:
Hampton Inn, 4901 Old Shepard Place, Plano, TX 75093

Purpose:

  • Inspire and encourage the commitment for mission and ministry around the world
  • Learn how to become a missional church
  • Church planting ideas and community development strategies
  • Strengthen relationships with friends in the Mission Initiative Countries
  • Shape the vision for the future
  • Provide an opportunity for new churches to become involved

You don't want to miss our guest speaker, the Rev. Mike Slaughter of Ginghamsburg Church, one of the fastest growing United Methodist churches in America. He will share with us how to be a missional church in today's challenging world.

3. GBGM Announcement Regarding Area Financial Executive Position in Moscow

The Mission Personnel Program Area, the Financial Services Office, and the Mission Initiatives Team of the General Board of Global Ministries announce the following change in financial leadership in the Eurasia Area Office of The United Methodist Church.

We regret that the Rev. Richard Bryant has had to return to the U.S. for personal reasons and will not be returning to his position as Area Financial Executive for GBGM in Moscow. We invite your prayers for Richard. Our wishes go out for a strong presence of God's care with him.

Effective immediately, GBGM Associate Treasurer Edwin Francisco will be assuming responsibility as acting interim AFE working from New York to fulfill the most immediate needs for financial administration through the Area Financial Executive's office in Moscow. All questions regarding future or past financial transactions affecting the Russia Initiative or the office of the AFE in Moscow should be directed to Mr. Francisco.

Mr. Francisco can be contacted as follows:

Edwin C. Francisco
Associate Treasurer
General Board of Global Ministries
475 Riverside Drive, Rm. 1410
New York, NY 10115

Tel. No. +1 (212) 870-3679
Fax No. +1 (212) 870-3668
e-mail: efrancis@gbgm-umc.org

Mr. Francisco has already been making payments to meet immediate financial needs of the Eurasia Episcopal Area and will continue to meet those needs on a case by case basis until a more permanent assignment can be made.

All parties involved in the relationships of support for program and individual congregations in the Russia Initiative may be assured that all funds provided through the Russia Initiative will continue to be directed to the intended destinations as quickly as possible.

All involved units of GBGM are working toward assuring that a new resident financial officer in Moscow will be identified and put in place at the earliest practicable date.

Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to Richard Bryant in his personal transition, and to Edwin Francisco, as well as to Bishop Hans Växby and all coworkers in the Area Office in Moscow and throughout the church in Eurasia.

4. Stories of two churches in Eurasia in need of our prayers

Forum 18, a religious freedom news service, reports two stories involving The United Methodist Church in Eurasia. These stories show how our brothers and sisters in Eurasia continue to struggle with considerable challenges and difficulties in their ministries.

Please keep these congregations and their pastors in your prayers.

Jim Athearn

Dr. W. James Athearn
Coordinator, Russia Initiative
116 Frasher Drive, Clear Brook, VA 22624
Tel: 540-662-2066 Fax: 540-662-6998
jimathearn@gmail.com
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/initiatives/russia/

GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES
The United Methodist Church