United Methodists need emergency funds to complete Russian seminary
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Courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries
Donations are needed to complete work on the United Methodist theological seminary building in Moscow.
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are needed to complete work on the United Methodist theological
seminary building in Moscow. Approximately $350,000 is needed to
complete and furnish the building, according to the Rev. Sam Dixon, an
executive with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. A UMNS
photo courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries. Photo
#05-242. Accompanies UMNS story #166. 3/22/05 |
March 22, 2005 By Elliott Wright* NEW
YORK (UMNS) — Emergency efforts are underway to develop a plan that
will complete a United Methodist theological seminary building in Moscow
and assure the institution’s future operations. Officials
of two of the denomination’s general agencies are working with the new
bishop of Moscow to find funds to complete a complex that will house
both the seminary and the United Methodist offices for the Eurasia Area. The
projected May dedication of the facility has been postponed because of a
shortage of money to finish building it. The spring academic term also
is in jeopardy because of a lack of operating capital.
Approximately
$350,000 is needed to complete and furnish the building, said the Rev.
Sam Dixon, an executive with the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries. The mission agency and the United Methodist Board of
Higher Education and Ministry are partners in the effort to complete
construction and to develop a strategy to underwrite the school’s
$160,000 annual operating cost. The
Rev. Jerome King Del Pino, chief executive for Higher Education and
Ministry, and the Rev. R. Randy Day, his counterpart at Global
Ministries, expressed deep appreciation to United Methodists who have
contributed toward the estimated $3.5 million final cost of the seminary
and center in Moscow.
“We must once again ask the
generous members of our church in both the United States and Europe to
get out their checkbooks in support of our new congregations in Russia
and several other nearby countries,” Day said. Del
Pino said that his agency understands that an “educated leadership is
essential for United Methodism in the Eurasia Area. Toward that end, it
is important that our colleagues in Europe and the church in the USA
assume responsibility in completing the seminary project and in insuring
the sustainability of its programs." Bishop
Hans Vaxby, the new episcopal leader of the Eurasia Area, is mobilizing
support in Europe. Vaxby, who was elected in February, is still in the
process of moving from Helsinki, Finland, where he has been a pastor, to
Moscow.
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Courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries
Russian United Methodist seminarians prepare for worship.
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United Methodist seminarians in Moscow prepare for worship. From left
to right are: Roman Bagdazarov from Pyatigorsk, Andrey Kuznetsov from
Kaluga and Vitaly Tsaran from Moldova. United Methodism in Russia
emerged in the early 1990s after the fall of Communism. Today, there
are 109 pastors, almost all of them Russian. Major funding for pastoral
support and other costs has come through the gifts of annual conference,
congregations, and individuals, collectively known as the United
Methodist Russia Initiative. A UMNS photo courtesy of the General Board
of Global Ministries. Photo #05-241. Accompanies UMNS story #166.
3/22/05 |
“The seminary and conference center is the heartbeat of Eurasian United
Methodism,” Vaxby said. “It provides the academic training and spiritual
formation of pastors; it houses Moscow Central United Methodist Church;
and it is the administration center for the Eurasia Episcopal Area. In a
city with escalating leasing costs, it saves a lot of money in the long
run.”The
bishop added that he was “moved by the enormous investment of love and
money from agencies, seminaries, local churches and individuals in the
USA and Europe in the years past, and I hope and pray that we can
complete their dream.” United
Methodism in Russia emerged in the early 1990s after the fall of
communism. Today, there are 109 pastors, almost all of them
Russian. Major funding for pastoral support and other costs, including
the seminary project, has come through the gifts of annual conference,
congregations, and individuals, collectively known as the United
Methodist Russia Initiative. Both
the Board of Global Ministries and Board of Higher Education and
Ministry have assisted with seminary building costs, but neither agency
is currently able to contribute additional funds. Contributions
toward both the completion of the seminary structure and toward
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, Advance12173N.” For seminary operations, indicate “Seminary
Program, Advance 12174A.” *Wright is the public information officer for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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