Monday, November 15, 2004
PSS UMC RUSSIA INITIATIVE: 11-15-04
MYTISCHI, RUSSIA, PASTOR ELENA KOTELKINA, left, and translator Charlie Epperson, of the Paris-Sulphur Springs (PSS) UMC District Russia Initiative, consult the Bible at Tinney Chapel UMC during a 2002 visit by Pastor Elena to churches in the PSS UMC District which provides support for her Way Of Salvation UMC church. Photo by Angela Wylie.
District Day Report on PSS UMC Russia Initiative, prepared 11-15-04, for Bishop Rhymes Moncure, Jr.
By Tinney Chapel UMC Pastor Duncan Graham, Chair
Today, Monday, November. 15, is District Day for pastors in the PSS UMC District. The meeting is being conducted at First UMC, Mt. Vernon, and includes an appearance by the new North Texas Conference Bishop Rhymes Moncure, Jr. Tinney Chapel UMC Senior Pastor Duncan Graham, chair of the PSS UMC District Russia Initiative, presented this report to the Bishop at today's event.
Pastor Graham originally discussed his nomination to chair this post during his report to the Tinney Chapel UMC Administrative Council, Monday, March 22, 2004, and indicated that he would accept the responsibility. At that time, Tinney Chapel was already a significant contributor to Way Of Salvation UMC in Mytischi, Russia, and had hosted Pastor Elena Kotelkina when she visited Tinney Chapel Nov. 10, 2002.
Soon after Pastor Graham accepted this new challenge, he attended a benefit Festival of Russian Cookery & Culture, held Saturday, April 17, 2004, at 5:00 p. m. to 7:00 p.m. (or as long as the food lasted), at Westview UMC, 6407 Sayle St., in Greenville. "Lots of Russian food and fun for a $5.00 per head donation to help Pastor Elena's church in Mytischi, Russia," explained UMC layman and Russian language translator Charlie Epperson, who promoted and participated in that important event. To encourage attendance, Pastor Graham not only attended the benefit Festival, but also invited anyone else to ride with him to Greenville.
Just what is the PSS UMC District Russia Initiative?
The Paris-Sulphur Springs District decided to do something no other district had ever done, as far as we know. At a District Conference a few years ago, those present, clergy and laity, voted to "adopt" Pastor Elena's Way Of Salvation Church, and help the congregation locate and buy a building to house its ministry, giving the congregation a regular place to worship. Over time this was accomplished, and the debt on that building has been paid down to about $12,000. Helping to complete that payout, and also helping Pastor Elena deal with the day-to-day problems of being Methodist in Mytischi represent just two examples of the diversity in Rev. Graham's challenge as Chair of the PSS UMC Russia Initiative.
The PSS UMC Russia Initiative Committee (also known as the Task Force) met in a strategy session at Tinney Chapel UMC on Saturday evening, Oct. 9, 2004, in the church's new Christian Education Center. Pastor Graham has also issued several news items in recent months, urging PSS UMC District churches to assign priority toward the goal of paying off the remaining building debt on Pastor Elena's church.
Charlie Epperson's report on a recent PSS UMC District trip to Russia follows:
The Mytischi Mystique
By Charlie Epperson
"On the first weekend in October, 2003, Bo West and I had the privilege and honor of representing the PSS UMC District at the Third Anniversary Celebration of Way of Salvation UMC in Mytischi, Russia.
"We had been informed before going that the dedication of the new facility would be held at the same time, but, for as yet unexplained reasons, the dedication was not held at this time. "There were more than 50 people on hand Saturday for the worship service and anniversary celebration.
"Pastor Elena delivered a sermon on Jonah, and I had the opportunity to practice my Russian language skills by passing on your greetings and congratulations. A meal was served to all attending after the service, and an impromptu sing-fest began in the sanctuary during the meal, and continued afterwards. It was a joyful time for all, and included some dancing by (among others) Pastor Elena (I have pictures).
"On Sunday, we were taken to an art gallery in Moscow with paintings by a contemporary artist named Shilov. He is well known for his portraits, which look more like photographs than paintings. That evening, we were treated to a performance of the Moscow Circus, which turned out to be a musical extravaganza with some circus acts thrown in. Quite a departure from what we were expecting, but still enjoyable.
"We had the opportunity to spend some time with Pastor Valerij Khe of Mytischi UMC on Monday, whose church is supported by First UMC, Paris (Texas). Pastor Valerij is also the District Superintendent of the North Moscow District, and is well aware of the support being given to Way of Salvation UMC by our District. We bring back his greetings to all of you.
"As I reported to you last year, God is still alive and well, and working, in Mytischi, through a small group known as Way of Salvation UMC. Their faith continues to grow in leaps and bounds, and they remain very optimistic that they will increase in membership. At this time, however, none of the churches in Russia is experiencing any growth in members.
"There are still some bureaucratic roadblocks in Mytischi, as the city administration still has not approved the outside entrance the church wants to construct. They are still confident that permission will be given, but are unsure when that will happen. Still, we have heard no complaints about anything.
"Every time we ask Pastor Elena what she needs, the answer is always the same: 'We need your love and your prayers.' Those are two things we have in abundance, and it takes little effort to pass on either. So, please continue to support Way of Salvation UMC with your love and prayers. That way, their prayers will be answered again and again."
HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT RUSSIA INITIATIVE
Compiled and written by the PSS UMC Russia Initiative Task Force
In 1990 there were 15 United Methodist Congregations in Russia. In 1991 Bishop Ruediger R. Minor (pronounced Meen or) was chosen by The Board of Global Ministries to leave his home in Germany and become Bishop of the Eurasia Conference of The Russia United Methodist Church. That one conference spans 11 time zones. Bishop Minor and his wife took what they could in their VW Bus and traveled to Moscow to live.
The church in Russia began to grow and by 2000, Bishop Minor made 88 appointments to UM churches in Russia. In 2002 approximately 100 appointments were made, and Russia was divided into 3 conferences. The Russia UMC owns a seminary in Moscow and is training new pastors as well as leading Bible studies for interested lay persons. The Bible studies have become a source for recruiting new pastors.The Paris-Sulphur Springs District has been involved in the Russia
Initiative since 1997 when a group of 15 traveled to Kazan, Tatarstan,
Russia. After several years of ministry in Kazan, the District Annual Conference voted in May 2001, to become a Supportive Congregation. We send $500 each month for pastor support ($300) and programming ($200). The District was assigned to The Rev. Elena Kotelkina (pronounced Co tyol-kena), pastor of Way of Salvation, Russia United Methodist Church, Mytischi, Russia (shown in photo at top of page with Charlie Epperson, PSS District translator for Rev. Elena during her 2002 visit to Tinney Chapel and PSS UMC).
In October, 2001, a team from our District traveled to Mytischi to
meet our sister congregation and join with the congregation there in
celebrating their first anniversary. The worship service was held in a
rented theatre, and was followed by gift exchanges and a meal. Although The Way of Salvation UMC congregation consists of only 15 members, more than 50 people attended.
It is very important for churches in Russia to have their own facilities, whether it be a building or a space within a building. Those who do not have a stable environment and own their own space are considered cults and not given credibility within the Russian establishment. Of the approximately 100 Russian UMC congregations, only 10% own either space or a building.
In March, 2002, the Paris-Sulphur Springs District voted to provide
funds to purchase a space for the fledging Way of Salvation UMC to give it legitimacy and enable growth. For $37,000, we were able to purchase and renovate a large space. Now the church is in their new space, and celebrated their first anniversary there the first Saturday in October, 2003. Two members of our Task Force traveled to Mytischi to celebrate along with the congregation. (See Charlie Epperson's trip report elsewhere in this document.)
The District Russia Initiative Task Force (made up of members of our District who are interested in the ministry in Russia) continues to bring this mission before the pastors and congregations of our District in order to make the ministry more visible. Members of the Task Force are always available to go to the congregations of the District and make presentations, bring up-to-date information and share pictures of The Way of Salvation UMC.
Each member of every congregation in the Paris-Sulphur Springs District has the opportunity to share in this ministry through prayer and monetary support. Another trip to Russia is in the planning stage, and anyone with an interest in the ministry is invited to travel to Mytischi as part of our team. The cost for one person to travel is approximately $1500-$2000 and covers air, hotel, meals, and in-country transportation.
SUMMARY
The PSS UMC District Conference provides support for Way of Salvation UMC by prayer, personal contact, visitation, and an annual financial contribution of $6,000 which provides Pastor Elena's monthly salary of $150, with special allowances for housing, health care, pension, travel, children and ministry.
In Feb., 2002, a Called District Conference was held and voted to provide $34,000 to buy a portion of a building they had located for their church home. With immediate gifts and a loan to the District of $22,500 the purchase was made through the General Board of Global Ministries.
The second group from our District went to Mytischi in October, 2002, and was able to see the beginning of reconstruction on the purchased site during their visit with Rev. Elena. In November, Rev. Elena came to the Russia Initiative Consultation X held in Dallas. She accompanied Bishop Minor of the Russia United Methodist Church and several of his pastors, meeting with pastors and lay persons from all over the U.S. Nearly 400 attended in all.
Following the Consultation Rev. Elena visited for two weeks in our District speaking in several churches throughout the District, telling her story. She met with our pastors and Rev. Pat Beghtel-Mahle, PSS UMC District Superintendent, at District Day asking for our prayers and support. She was showered with many gifts from the district, churches and individuals requiring extra luggage to return home with a warm glow.
A Word From The District Chairman
By Rev. Duncan Graham, Pastor, Tinney Chapel UMC
It's great to be a part of the Paris-Sulphur Springs District. I know of no other district in our North Texas Conference that supports missions, especially a Russia initiative, on a district-wide basis: In fact I wonder if any other district in all of United Methodism is as solidly committed to a single mission project as we are with Way of Salvation UMC in Mytischi, Russia!
This is a great example of the connectional system at work for the Kingdom of God in places we cannot go and minister on a regular basis. But, because of the commitment of all our churches, the Paris-Sulphur Springs District can have a big part in the ministry of the gospel in distant lands.
All of us, through our giving to this ministry, are very much a part of what is going on in Mytischi, Russia's Way of Salvation UMC, where they could not continue to work as effectively--if at all--without the support of this District. This means that our gifts and resources are a vital part of the spread of the gospel in Russia.
If you are new to the Paris-Sulphur Springs District, a bit of background will be helpful. This unique initiative began in May of 2001, when our District voted to send $500 per month for the support of Way of Salvation UMC. This money is specifically for pastoral support and is a five-year commitment through June, 2006.
Since Way of Salvation was then meeting in homes, and was considered a sect by the Russian people, our District decided to help the church acquire a building or meeting place. We believe this not only contributes to a more established public image for United Methodism, but will also help Way of Salvation reach more people and grow. Toward these goals, our District raised $14,000 and borrowed $22,000 on a note that has been paid down to $12,000. I would like to see us pay off the balance of that note soon, leaving us with only the congregational support commitment of $500 per month through 2006.
I believe we can do this if each church charge in the District commits $300 toward the goal. This means that charges with two, three or four churches could join forces, or go together, to fulfill the $300 commitment. We should keep in mind that this is a minimum commitment, and all churches are encouraged to give more if they can afford it. But it's just as important that every charge do its part to emphasize United Methodism's connectional system and the solidarity of our Paris-Sulphur Springs District in supporting a cause that is definitely worthwhile.
One more thing, as always, that we need from each of you as a very big part of being in connection with your brothers and sisters in Christ: Prayer. Please pray regularly for God to break the powers of darkness, spiritual wickedness and principalities that work against Way of Salvation UMC. Pray for Pastor Elena to be embued with power from God to preach His word and lead the congregation in a fruitful work there. Pray that many souls will come to Christ Jesus accepting Him as their LORD and SAVIOR.
Remember, together we are mighty, and can do great things that, as individuals, we can only dream about.
Yours in Christ,
Duncan Graham, Russia Initiative Chair,
Paris-Sulphur Springs UMC District
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