May Mission Emphasis Benefits The Russia Initiative

Partnership. A partnership is the working together cooperatively of two or more persons. First Church and other churches of the Southwest Texas Conference are in partnership with Good News UMC in Vologda, Russia. Vera Agapova is the leader of this young church, which is dedicated to showing and teaching God’s love. They are doing this by reaching out not only to families with children, but also to children who are in foster homes and to the orphans of Vologda.

The Methodist churches in Russia are striving to become independent and self-supporting. Some are becoming so, but for others it is a slow process. In these days of development, the Russia Initiative is a program of the General Board of Global Ministries. A partner church or Conference is one that dedicates funds to a church to help pay for salary, rental, buildings, supplies, and other needs. Partner churches are asked to contribute between $6,500 and $9,000.

Good News faces obstacles and needs beyond what is basic. In talking with Pastor Vera this past November, we discovered there was a great need to pay the taxes on the camp that had been purchased and on the church. First Church sent Pastor Vera back with the funds to pay the taxes on the camp and other congregations sent the funds for the church.

The needs of Good News UMC are:
New windows for the church building
New roof for the camp building
Renovation and fixing of the banya and bathrooms at the camp
New building for Sunday School and meetings

Ongoing needs above and beyond the basics:
Funding for a part-time youth leader
Funding for a handyman for the church
Funding for a year-round watchman for the camp
Summer Camp--handyman, cook, and wood.

You have seen, heard, and tasted a lot from the Russia Mission Team this past year. Thank you for all the support through Administrative Board lunches, Café Mission, and communion rail offerings.

Donations during the month of May will be dedicated toward the Russia Initiative. Please make your check payable to First Church and write “Russia Initiative” on the memo line and then bring it by or mail it to the church office.