Bishop to report on Russia work Saturday in SA

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
The bishop of Moscow and a mission board liaison are to visit San Antonio Saturday to discuss United Methodist outreach in Russia.
Bishop Hans Vaxby, who became the leader of the Eurasia Episcopal Area in February 2005, and the Rev. Jim Athearn, coordinator of the Russia Initiative for the General Board of Global Ministries, are to lead a mini consultation at University UMC, San Antonio, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lunch will be provided for $12 per person.
The event is to feature a short worship service, followed by Vaxby’s presentation on United Methodist ministerial efforts in Eurasia, said Cindy Stone, Russia Initiative chair for the Southwest Texas Conference.
Vaxby visits the United States occasionally to make presentations to groups that are actively involved in Russia mission work, Stone said.
The Southwest Texas Conference has been a mission partner with Good News UMC, Vologda, Russia, for more than 10 years.
“He will give us an update on the church in Eurasia,” Stone said. “We get to hear about all the things that are happening with the church and the expansion and the way the church there connects with our churches here.
“It’s wonderful to hear how that growth is happening, how the connection is and how the relationships are going.”
Athearn said Vaxby would have a PowerPoint presentation about the church and its work in Eurasia—with pictures “so that people can see something of a face of the ministry there.”
Vaxby is making presentations in Washington, D.C.; Florida; and Texas, Athearn said.
“This gives people an opportunity to see the current state of the church in Eurasia,” Athearn said. “And the current issues we’re dealing with and the hopes and the promises of the ministries there.
“And it gives them a chance to dialogue. This is question-and-answer time.”
Vaxby is to talk with people who want to know about partnerships and those who might want to explore new areas of support, Athearn said.
The Russia Initiative, which includes the Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus, began in 1991. Its original purpose was to deliver food to the Moscow region of Russia.
Now the initiative includes the re-establishment of Methodism in the former Soviet Union. The Eurasia Episcopal Area, which includes five conferences, was established in 1997.
Stone said the next step for the church in Russia would be training leaders and brainstorming programs—a difficult task for Americans to help with considering the difference in culture.
“It’s not that we can take an American or United States idea or method and transplant it in Russia because the culture is different,” she said. “They can’t hang signs in the street or run ads in the paper because it’s illegal. We have to work with them within their culture.
“They’re the ones who have to do the surgery. But we have to shine the flashlight.”
Stone is collecting special items from churches and individuals as a gift for Vaxby. She suggested inspirational photos without frames, special bookmarks, prayer cards, and Easter or Christmas devotional booklets.
A cash love offering is to be collected at the luncheon.