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"Life is in You -- is in the people."
RUSSIA INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER
Greetings to all participants and friends of the Russia Initiative, a program of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church.
This newsletter contains the following features: We are deeply grateful for the generous support of our brothers and sisters in Eurasia through the Russia Initiative Supportive Congregation Program and UMVIM projects. We continue to make progress in developing new supportive congregation partnerships and we are grateful for your suggestions that continue to bring to our attention new congregations that are interested in our Eurasia ministry. May God bless you in your mission.
Jim Athearn Russian Initiative Coordinator
Bishop Hans Vaxby
I feel like Barnabas
I came to Russia for the first time in 1991. I was called to Yekaterinburg to an emerging church to consecrate a piece of land that had been given for a future church building. And I will never in my life forget this first meeting with Russian Methodism. Together with Bishop William Oden, I performed 197 baptisms in two nights at the Philharmonic Hall! In 1991 we had two organized churches, one in Yekaterinburg and one in Moscow, and a handful of interested groups. In August 1992 the United Methodist Mission in C.I.S was officially organized in Moscow. At that time we had a dozen churches. Later that year at the Council of Bishops, Bishop Dan Solomon, who had been present at the organizing, gave a report. He was very enthusiastic and shared his vision that before the turn of the millennium there will be 100 churches in Russia. It sounded a little too optimistic; some thought and even said so. But today we live the reality he saw 13 years ago. Not without problems; this year we will probably both hear about closing churches and receive a new church into the connection; we will both receive reports about progress and struggle with a seemingly never ending financial crisis. But is no doubt that God is working among us, and it is amazing to se what the Lord has done among you. I feel like Barnabas when he was sent to Antioch. "When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion." (Acts 11:23)
Five annual conferences +
RUMC
This year the four annual conferences had become five. Ukraine and Moldova Provisional Annual Conference celebrated its first session in Uzhgorod, receiving one new congregation into the connection and two seminary graduates into their first appointments. In all conferences the plenary sessions had an open atmosphere and were full of energy. Two big issues were on the agenda: the organization, especially the relationship between the annual conferences, and the economy. There were far too little time, and it was so easy to tell where the problems were, but so difficult to see what next step towards a solution would be. Last week of June delegates from the annual conferences came together for the assembly of Russia United Methodist Church, the organization from the time before the division into four and later five annual conferences, and which still is the only officially registered organisation. It was the task of tis assembly to draw conclusions from the debates in the annual conferences. Again there was not enough time, but two important decisions were made. They were not as radical as some had expected, but they are clear indications of the direction the church wants to go. 1. While hitherto all finances have been centralized in RUMC, it will now be possible for each conference to make its budget and create its funds. 2. The Administrative Board was asked to update the salary policy decision from 1998 with special attention to a) the need for a general raise, b) the need for a document about Biblical teaching on offerings, c) special support for families in need, d) support during parenthood leave, e) salary for part time appointments and combination of appointments, f) salary for district superintendents and pastors in special appointments, and g) rules for salary when appointment is combined with secular job.
Consolidation and expansion
In a few years Russia has gone through radical changes. After the first decade of a overwhelming openness to religion, especially if English spoken, Russia has rushed in to a secularized indifference we know all too well from Western Europe. At the same time the Orthodox Church has reassumed its position as an established state church, which never hesitates to use its political influence against other churches. ? And in Central Asia the fundamentalist Islamic influence from south is a growing problem for Christians. This means that the consolidation of our resources in the two Moscow districts had to continue also this year. One church has decided to merge with another stronger church, and one other church is about to close its ministry. But at the same time the expansion continues in other parts of the area. Ukraine recognized a new congregation and reopens another of the old churches in the Uzhgorod region. The Volga and North Caucasus districts also received one new church each. And in North West the conference decided to plant a new church in Kaliningrad.
A teenager's economy
As a young church at the age of 14 we need an intentional plan to increase our degree of self-support. For a long time we will need the support of sisters and brothers in other countries. They are a part of our ministry team, and we thank God for them. But our own financial responsibility needs to grow. Not for the sake of money, but for the sake of our faith. Stewardship is a part of our faith. Tithing is a part of our spiritual growth. Money is not a relationship with an American church – money is a relationship to God. And there we are back to basis again. Why were the two first United Methodist local churches organized in 1991, why are we here as annual conferences, why should we continue the struggle with week finances and a sometimes unfriendly surrounding? Because God in his mercy called us to make disciples of peoples. And together with Paul, "I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil 1:6) Yours in Christ, Hans Vaxby Bishop, Eurasia Episcopal Area
The General Board of Global
Ministries is redesigning its website to make it more user friendly and with
an improved search engine. At the same time we are working with GBGM
Communications to develop a more helpful website for the Russia Initiative.
The web address of the General Board of Global Ministries is: gbgm-umc.org.
Lena Kim who is directing the Evangelization and Church Development ministry in Eurasia is developing a website in Russian and English versions. We believe that you will find it to be a helpful resource. Here is the web address:
The Funds Transmittal Guidelines Form has been revised to reflect the interest in supporting District programs of building connectional relationships and leadership development. We are grateful for early response already to Bishop Vaxby’s appeal for this assistance. Some supportive congregations have donated $250 - $300 as a way of accumulating some funds for the district in which their partner church is located. Please download this attachment and use it with future contributions to the Eurasian Church.
You can down load a copy of the form by clicking here: Download the Transmittal Form
Bishop Vaxby has announced the dedication of The Russia United Methodist Theological Seminary on September 10, 2005.
"Through your gifts and prayers you have played a significant role in the purchase and renovation of the seminary, which will now provide a permanent center for the training of pastors and laity. Your dollars for bricks and mortar will become the personal currency for ministry in small villages, hospitals and orphanages throughout Russia.
Our first goal to provide a permanent residence has been met. We still need more funds to complete and furnish the building. Additionally, the challenge for operating funds and a permanent endowment remains. Because of the 2004 General Conference action to discontinue the Fund for Theological Education in Post Communist Eastern Europe, the financial need is critical."
Two UMVIM teams from W. PA/WV and
VA are planning to work at the seminary this fall to help finish the top
floor with wall board and trim work. More teams will be needed!
Dr. W. James Athearn,
Coordinator, The Russia Initiative
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