Moscow seminary dedication set for Sept. 10
|
Courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries Donations are needed to complete work on the United Methodist theological seminary building in Moscow.
|
Donations
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 |
August 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.
Related Articles
United Methodists need emergency funds to complete seminary
Hans Vaxby elected United Methodist bishop for Eurasia
Theological education expands in Eastern Europe
Resources
Russian Theological Seminary
UMC-Northern Europe
The Advance
|