wfn.org | [UMNS-ALL-NEWS] UMNS# 435-Moscow seminary dedication set for Sept.

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Moscow seminary dedication set for Sept. 10

Aug. 2, 2005

By Linda Bloom*

NEW YORK (UMNS) - The dedication of a United Methodist theological
seminary building in Moscow has been set for Sept. 10.

Originally planned for May, the dedication had been postponed last
winter because of a lack of funds. But with new donations and loans, the
project has progressed, according to the Rev. Sam Dixon, an executive
with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

By the end of July, the first and second floors of the building, which
includes the cafeteria, had largely been completed, he reported.
Third-floor bathrooms have tile and plumbing installed and he hopes that
Volunteer-in-Mission teams will be able to finish work on the living
space.

The Rev. Tobias Dietze, the seminary's dean and project manager, said
the building already is in use. Bishop Hans Växby is the episcopal
leader for the area.

"Despite the ongoing construction, there is a lot of life in here,"
Dietze told United Methodist News Service. "Apart from seminary classes,
there are cabinet and district meetings, worship services, youth and
Sunday school of a local Moscow United Methodist congregation and lots
of visitors who are eager to see the building."

To date, about $100,000, raised through loans and donations, has been
spent on construction, ventilation, security enhancements and government
approvals, Dixon said. Another $6,000 has been spent on the installation
of Internet broadband and telephone systems.

Fundraising continues for the estimated $94,000 it will cost to provide
materials and some light construction on the third floor, secure
governmental approvals and provide for ventilation, landscaping, kitchen
equipment and essential furnishings.

Both the Board of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Board of
Higher Education and Ministry have worked together to finish
construction on the seminary project and develop a strategy to
underwrite the school's $160,000 annual operating cost.

The seminary advisory committee, led by Bishop Marion Edwards and the
Rev. Donald Messer, has actively solicited gifts for the project. The
denomination's Virginia Annual (regional) Conference, for example,
raised more than $40,000 for the seminary in a special offering taken
during this year's annual conference session.

Contributions toward the completion of the seminary structure and
seminary operating costs can be made through the Advance for Christ and
His Church. Donations can be made through any local United Methodist
church or sent directly to Advance GCFA, P.O. Box 9068, GPO, New York,
NY 10087-9068. For seminary building construction, indicate "Building,
Advance 12173N." For seminary operations, indicate "Seminary Program,
Advance 12174A."

*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

----------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this group, go to UMCom.org, log in to your account,
click on the My Resources link and select the Leave option on the list(s)
from which you wish to unsubscribe. If you have problems or questions, please
write to websupport@umcom.org.

Powered by United Methodist Communications http://www.UMCom.org