Russian partner church reaches out to Vologda children, parents

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
Its story doesn’t begin with Alyona. But she has become a bright spot.
Alyona is 13 years old—a clever young lady with a beautiful singing voice, say leaders of Good News UMC, the Southwest Texas Confer-ence’s partner congregation in Volog-da, Russia.
She and her sister—two of three to seven children who regularly attend Sunday school at Good News—live near the church, surrounded by relatives.
They are not hungry. They have clean clothes and shoes to wear.
But no one cares much for them.
Alyona’s father is in jail. Her mother has “other men friends.”
It is children like Alyona who have ignited the vision of Good News UMC.
Begun in 1996, Good News has diligently focused on the children in its community in an effort to draw their parents to church, said Katerina Labintseva, one of the Russian church leaders who organized the congregation’s summer camp for children.
To push once more for higher Sunday school attendance, the church had a Sunday School celebration Sept. 3—specifically planned after Sept. 1, Russia’s “Day of Knowledge” when school begins everywhere in the country.
Twenty-four children attended the event, which came as Southwest Texas congregations were beginning Open House Month.
“I wish I’d been there,” said Cindy Stone, who helps organize volunteer teams from Southwest Texas to visit Vologda and help with Good News’ summer camp. “I can’t imagine how excited they were to see those children pouring into the church.”
Some children at the Sept. 3 event had attended this year’s camp at the end of July, Labintseva said. Others came with their mothers from the “foster families committee” of Vologda.
“Their mothers were looking at us and checking out what was going on in our church,” she said. “They asked us questions like who we are, what kind of church is that, why are we doing this for free.
“They all, children and moms, seemed to like (the celebration) a lot. But now we still cannot say for sure how many of them will attend classes and other events regularly.”
During the special celebration, Labintseva said children played games, performed skits and had a few competitions.
They read little scripture.
“We tried not to give too much information related only to the Bible and God,” Labintseva said. “We had to be very careful with that this first time—not to make those people think that we are some kind of cult.”
In Russia, she said, most people don’t know what a Protestant church is or assume that it’s not a denomination but more like a social party in Western countries.
“Since it doesn’t sound right and familiar for them, but it’s a church, and people are talking about God, then it’s a cult that wants to take your children out of the family or teach them bad things or that just wants money,” Labintseva said.
“We just explained who we are and what our goal is. We even told (the mothers) that we will teach their children that God loves them. They said it’s OK—so that was really very important.”
Stone said Russians are very suspicious of anything that isn’t part of the Russian Orthodox Church and what they perceive as the “true faith.”
But sending kids to camp is part of the culture because the Soviets made everyone go to camp, she added.
That’s why Good News first began offering a summer camp for children.
Good News has a small facility where children who attend the camps stay. No more than 40 people—including camp leaders, the church pastor, a cook, a medical person, a custodian and any mission team members from the United States—can live there at a time. That limits the number of children who can come.
Children 7 to 15 were invited to this year’s 10-day camp. Eighteen children attended, up from 12 last year.
Stone said she thinks the summer camp is what is contributing to Good News’ steady Sunday school growth.
“What’s happened is the word is out in the community,” she said. “The few who are going to summer camp at Good News have great fun, and they’ve invited all these kids to come back with them to church.
“Having these summer camps is one of the main ways that the church gets the word out about what’s available to children.”
Originally intended to reach children in orphanages, the camp has adjusted its focus to include all children of the community, Labintseva said, because they all share needs.
“They all don’t get enough knowledge about God and (are not taught about) moral principles, behavior, (how to) treat others, love, patience, hope, respect,” she said. “(The children’s) parents have told us that they’ve changed even during those days we spent in the camp—changed for the better. That was the best thing parents could tell us.”
Good News soon will begin two separate groups for Sunday school. Children younger than 10 are to attend Saturdays, and children 10 and older are to come Sundays after the main worship service.
Her hope, Labintseva said, is that the children simply continue to come.
Leaders have big plans for the future of Good News and its summer camp.
Stone is spearheading an initiative to raise $2,500 to paint the camp building and another $2,500 to purchase playground equipment—because the children must have something to do if they’re going to come to church, she said.
The Good News Sunday school coordinator has plans to teach the children Bible stories and craft secrets—and will even help them write letters to kids their age in the Sunday school of Good News’ sister church, Tarrytown UMC, Austin.
Good News has a “wonderful” set of chimes given by University UMC, San Antonio, Labintseva said. Church leaders would like to start a bell choir to use the children’s talents.
Then there is Alyona and her voice. Good News leaders will do all they can to develop her gift, Labintseva said.
For more information about Good News UMC, mission trips visiting Vologda or donations to the Good News camp, contact Stone at (512) 476-6688 or StoneMktg@aol.com.