wfn.org | Eight-member U.S. team visits Estonia

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

Oct. 7, 1999 News media contact: Thomas S. McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville,
Tenn.  10-71B{517}

NOTE:  This report may be used a sidebar to UMNS story #516.

By United Methodist News Service

An eight-member team, part of a U.S. group known as Friends of Estonia,
recently returned from a two-week visit to observe United Methodist work in
that country and Latvia.

The Rev. John Trundle of Gatlinburg, Tenn., head of the Friends group and
one of the team members, said the United Methodist Baltic Mission Center
being constructed in Tallinn, Estonia, is "wonderful, beautiful and worthy
of praise." While the center's seminary section is not completed, he said it
is usable and spacious.  

The Estonian-speaking congregation is filling the worship area, he said. A
Russian-speaking United Methodist congregation, meeting at a Seventh Day
Adventist Church in the community, hopes to be in the Baltic Mission Center
sanctuary by Christmas. 

Floor covering, furniture and lighting are needed to make the sanctuary
usable, Trundle said.  "With funds on hand, $250,000 is needed as soon as
possible to provide those needs." 

The Friends group is also trying to raise an additional $700,000 to complete
10 dormitory rooms, a bookstore, printing shop, soup kitchen, choir room and
children's rooms.

The fourth Friends of Estonia gathering is scheduled for Jan. 14-15 in
Lexington, Ky.  Among those attending will be the Rev. Olav Parnamets,
superintendent of the United Methodist Church in Estonia. For information on
the meeting, contact host pastor, the Rev. Chuck Killian, (606) 233-0545.

Contributions to the Baltic Mission Center, marked "Sanctuary Fund, Baltic
Mission Center," may be sent through World Evangelism, 1008 19th Avenue
South, Nashville, TN  37212-2166.
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