This occasional newsletter gives up-to-date information about the Russia Initiative, which includes the countries of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova.
To Participants and Friends of the Russia Initiative, a program of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church:
The recent Mini-Consultation series of October 1-12 took us into 8 Annual Conference Areas in all four time zones of the US. Bishop Hans Vaxby shared information about the current state of the United Methodist Church in Eurasia. Some of the highlights Bishop Vaxby mentioned are:
a.. "Calling 2006" attracted some 25 young people to the Seminary in Moscow to explore vocations in ministry.
b.. A Board of Trustees has been organized for the Seminary.
c.. A Board of Trustees has been organized for the Camp Voronezh property.
d.. The Annual Conferences theme last spring/summer was "Next step of faith."
e.. There is a new salary system for pastors, with small increases effective July 1. In accordance with this new policy, many Eurasian churches are now contributing to their pastor's salaries.
f.. Distribution of Stewardship Tithing materials in the local churches.
g.. Youth ministries/college students ministries included this year a student forum in St. Petersburg and summer camp programs in several areas.
h.. A Director of Public Relations and Publishing (Area Communicator) to be hired soon.
i.. Comprehensive educational plan for Eurasia pastors and lay leaders is being developed.
j.. UMVIM teams from churches in Eurasia are going on mission to other churches and communities in Russia, learning from the US UMVIM movement.
k.. There is a need for US UMVIM teams for projects in relation to the Eurasian churches and their ministries, and especially for the Voronezh Camp property.
l.. The United Methodist Church in Eurasia has a new website in English and Russian versions: http://www.umc-eurasia.ru/
We expect to have Bishop Vaxby's Power Point presentation on the GBGM Russia Initiative web site in a few days: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/initiatives/russia/
Learnings and reflections: The gatherings for the Mini-Consultation series were enthusiastic in every setting across the country. Meetings were held in Atlanta, GA, Montgomery, AL, Shreveport, LA, San Diego, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, Minneapolis, MN and Madison, WI. In many instances people traveled considerable distances to participate.
Our meetings showed again that US and Eurasian churches have developed strong and wide-ranging relationships. Our support has enabled the churches in Russia and surrounding countries to develop a variety of holistic ministries with emphasis on making disciples for Jesus Christ, social outreach, youth and educational programs. At the same time, the meetings confirmed that the Eurasian churches continue to deal with scarce resources and societal attitudes that hinder their ministries. A major issue is in the general lack of church buildings and the challenge of raising funds for permanent ministry facilities.
We are learning the value of providing opportunities for people to dialogue with Bishop Vaxby and each other in mini-consultations and other gatherings. While we may never take on an itinerary as rigorous as this again, we are already beginning to plan for future visits to new areas.
Bishop Vaxby and a delegation of Eurasian pastors attended the Leadership Institute at the United Methodist Church of Resurrection in Leawood, KS October 5-7. This was part of the comprehensive plan for the training of pastors and laity in Eurasia. Rev. Adam Hamilton, Sr. Pastor at UM Church of the Resurrection, will travel to the Ural District in Russia and to Ukraine next spring for another series of seminars there. The Eurasian delegation who attended the Institute in Kansas will serve as additional local trainers in Eurasia.
We are grateful for the new interest shown in the mini-consultations for the Supportive Congregation Program. We still have a handful of Eurasian churches that need supportive partner relationships in the US. Currently we are in conversation with a few churches whose new partnerships should further reduce the list of Eurasian churches in need of support. At the same time, we welcome new inquiries to join in the support of a church and its pastor in Eurasia. We are eager to confirm supporting partnerships for all of the Eurasian churches as we enter the new year in 2007. We still have four churches without any prospective supportive congregations and these congregations need immediate help. Please feel free to forward this information to your friends and colleagues and encourage them to become involved in this vital mission program.
We are grateful for the enthusiasm and commitment that continues to grow for the partnerships that we have through the Russia Initiative and for the encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Eurasia.
Dr. W. James Athearn
Coordinator, Russia Initiative
General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church
116 Frasher Drive
Clear Brook, VA 22624
Tel: 540-662-2066
Fax: 540-662-6998
Email: jimathearn@gmail.com
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/initiatives/russia/
