wfn.org | Russian congregation opens new home to U.S. visitors

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Nov. 11, 1998	Contact: Thomas S. McAnally(615)742-5470*Nashville,
Tenn.    {658}

NOTE:  Photographs are available with this story.

NOTE TO READERS: Tom McAnally, director of United Methodist News
Service, accompanied a team of General Council on Ministries
representatives on a visit to Moscow Oct. 23-25 immediately before a
meeting of the agency's board of directors in Switzerland, Oct. 26-30.
He and Bishop John Hopkins of Minnesota visited Vnukovo United Methodist
Church, just outside Moscow, with resident Bishop Rudiger Minor. Host
pastor and district superintendent was the Rev. Dmitri Lee. 

A UMNS News Feature
By Tom McAnally

MOSCOW -- As we  arrived in the outskirts of Moscow on an overcast
morning Sunday, Oct. 25, last-minute adjustments were being made to a
newly purchased, two-story house, now home of the Vnukovo United
Methodist Church. 

The smell of new lumber greeted us as we entered. An electrician was
installing one light bulb in the ceiling and attaching an electric
plug-in on the wall. A Christian flag was being hung on the wall. An
altar was carefully arranged with candlesticks, fresh flowers and
communion elements.  Stacks of unused lumber were covered with napkins
to serve as serving tables for lunch. Children were decorating an
upstairs room with a tapestry and other works of art they had brought
from home by bus and subway in a wobbly two-wheel cart.

The congregation had been able to purchase the house and 3 1/2 acres for
about $30,000, provided by United Methodists in other countries, said
the Rev. Dmitri Lee, pastor and district superintendent. Within two
weeks, members had installed steps, paneling and windows. 
Worshippers - all women and children -- soon gathered and filled the
simple, handmade benches.  A six-member robed choir gathered, and an
accompanist plugged her electric keyboard into the just-installed
electrical source.

We had learned earlier that "How Great Thou Art" was the most popular
hymn in United Methodist churches in Russia. It was the first song sung
by the Vnukovo congregation. The choir members also treated their guests
to a special English rendition of "Somebody's Knocking At Your Door."  

Worship was directed by Valentina Biryokova, a third-year student at
United Methodist Theological Seminary in Moscow. Another seminary
student who teaches English as a profession translated as Bishop John
Hopkins of Minnesota preached on how to build a church.  Communion was
served, and offering bags were passed among the parishioners by two
women dressed in special robes. Host Bishop Rudiger Minor of Moscow
participated in the service along with the other clergy.

Following worship, tea was served, along with cookies, fruit, and caviar
on buttered bread.

The seminary student who translated for the bishop introduced her mother
and grandmother to the visitors at the close of the service. Her
grandfather, she explained, is the only member of her family who is not
a Christian. Although he professes to be an atheist, she said he
recently told her, "If I should ever decide to be a Christian, I'll be a
Methodist."

United Methodism has quickly taken root in Russia since 1990. Today,
there are more than 40 churches in five districts with 5,000 members and
15,000 constituents. Minor was assigned in 1992 as spiritual leader of
the new Eurasia Area, a vast region that includes 11 time zones. In the
same year, the General Conference launched its Russian Initiative.
Several hundred United Methodists have participated in hands-on
ministries of evangelism, theological education and leadership training,
servanthood and humanitarian aid. A Supportive Congregations Program
allows a congregation or cluster of congregations to join with Russian
churches for friendship, shared ministry, exchange visits and financial
assistance.

The total amount needed annually for each Russian church is about $6,000
for salary and programs. Seventy-five U.S. churches or districts are
involved in the program. A Partner Church Program enables congregations
to join with a former Soviet Union city or region that has no United
Methodist presence. A two-year commitment is made to have four visits
for developing relationships, humanitarian aid projects and cultural
experiences. The Volunteers in Mission Program provides opportunities
for people to participate in building and rehabilitation projects in
orphanages, medical institutions and other places of need.

As an example of the cooperation being developed between Russian and
U.S. United Methodists, the Arkansas Area and the Ural-Siberia District
in Russia signed a partnership agreement Oct. 11. Signing the agreement
in Little Rock were Arkansas Bishop Janice Riggle Huie and the Rev.
Elena Stepanova, superintendent of the Ural-Siberia District. The Rev.
Bruce Weaver, director of the Russian Initiative for the denomination's
Board of Global Ministries, was among the 80 people at the ceremony.  

Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock developed one of
the first partnerships in the Russian Initiative, working with Return to
Christ United Methodist Church in Ekaterinburg. Stepanova is pastor of
the Russian church.

During a reception before the signing ceremony at St. Paul's Church in
Little Rock, guests were invited to visit stained-glass work rooms where
volunteers are creating two six-foot by 3 1/2 foot stained-glass windows
for the Return to Christ Church.  

During one of her visits to Arkansas, Stepanova mentioned that
stained-glass windows were one of the things the church members dreamed
of but felt they could not afford. When word reached St. Paul members
Gail Wells and Bruce Wesson - who spearheaded a project to create and
install 12 stained-glass windows for the St. Paul sanctuary - they
quickly agreed that windows would become St. Paul's first contribution
to the Arkansas-Russia partnership.

People wanting to help the United Methodist Church in Russia may send
Advance contributions through their local church. 

Among projects needing help are: Church Development Construction,
Ekaterinburg, Advance No. 011894-6AN; Church Development Program,
Ekaterinburg, Advance No. 011895-7RA; Leadership Development in Moscow,
Advance No. 012172-71T; Mission in the Commonwealth of Independent
States, Advance No. 011510-1RA; Mytischi Church Development Educational
and Fellowship Center, Moscow, Advance No. 012173-8AN; Russia United
Methodist Theological Seminary in Moscow, Advance No. 012174-ORA;
Russian United Methodist Theological Seminary, Scholarships Advance No.
012176-2RB; Samara Church Development, Advance No. 012175-1AN; Aid to
Refugees, Moscow, Advance No. 250145-8; Quality Care for Children and
Persons at Risk, Advance No. 250672; and Soup Kitchens and Cottage
Industries, Advance No. 250685-0.