Russia Initiative
Wisconsin Annual Conference
of The United Methodist Church
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For more information about the Russia Initiative, contact:
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Information on the Russia Initiative Consultation XII, 23-25 February 2006, in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (posted 23 Sep 05)
Report on The Russia United Methodist Theological Seminary (dated Advent 2003)
Bishop Minor's Report 2003
The Russa United Methodist Church expands! (Read more.)
(dated 11 Aug 2003)
What is the Russia Initiative?
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Russia is a country of towering golden domes and intricate architecture, a
vast canvas of land and people, a struggling economy, a complex history and
future… It is also a place of amazing hope! |
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The Story of The United Methodist Churches
of Melnikovo and Sovietsk in the Kalingard Region of Russia
Since 1991, over 100 new churches have begun in Russia. Nearly all are pastored by Russian United Methodists. The Bishop of Eurasia (including Russia) is Ruediger Minor. Few congregations own their own building. Most find space in libraries, schools, houses of culture and homes. In 1999, lay and clergy members of the Wisconsin Conference, led by Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader, traveled to Russia to begin a partnership with the two new United Methodist Churches in the Kaliningrad Region of Russia.
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United Methodist churches were started in Sovietsk and Melnikovo in the spring of 1999. They are served by a clergy couple, the Revs. Eduard and Natasha Botov. They are the first clergy couple to be ordained in the Russia Conference and are the only United Methodist pastors in the Kaliningrad Region of Russia (a 15,000 square km section of Russia, separated from the rest of the country by Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea). Until 1945, the region was German. Rev. Natasha Botov is the pastor of the United Methodist congregation in Sovietsk, a community of 35,000 on the Lithuanian border. At first, the congregation worshiped in the school. They now have a house, which serves as both the parsonage and church building. Rev. Eduard Botov serves the United Methodist congregation in Melnikovo, a village of about 200 which is located north of the city of Kaliningrad (about three hours from Sovietsk). |
The Melnikovo United Methodist Church Building—An Opportunity for GivingWhen it was started in 1999, The St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Melnikovo was able to worship in a government-owned House of Culture in the village. Records indicate that when this area was German, this same building was the former church of the Evangelische Gemeinshaft (EUB)! Since the fall of 2001, this growing congregation is no longer able to worship in the House of Culture. They are now meeting in the homes of members. They have an opportunity to purchase a house in the village, which can be renovated to provide worship space and some additional room for classes. The purchase of this house will be a tremendous boost for the ministry in the village and beyond. The people of St. Luke's in Melnikovo (and Sovietsk as well) have many needs, but they have deep commitment and determination. God's Spirit in Christ is present AND growing in these faith communities. Wisconsin Conference Melnikovo Church Building Goal: $15,000The Advance Number for the Melnikovo Church Building is: #3450 Make checks payable to "Wisconsin Annual Conference" and give to your local church treasurer to send to the Conference Office. JOIN US — in celebrating and growing in faith together |
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Wisconsin and Russia United Methodist Churches Connecting in Mission and Ministry
- Wisconsin and Russia United Methodist Churches Connecting in Mission and Ministry: Brochure is in two different versions—PDF or HTML.
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Updates from Russia
- Christmas message dated December 24, 2001
- E-mail from Eduard and Natalie Botov dated September 21, 2001
- Message of Prayer and Concern from Eduard and Natalie Botov dated September 20, 2001
- Letter from Bishop Ruediger R. Minor dated January 2001
- E-mail from Eduard and Natalie Botov dated February 29, 2000
Map of Sovietsk, in the Kaliningrad Region, in Russia
Photo Galleries
Links to other Russia Initiative web pages
Do you want more information, or would like to help the Russia Initiative?
To receive more information about our partnership through the United Methodist's Russia Initiative, to learn more about ways to give, or to schedule someone to talk with your congregation, call the Conference Office at 1-888-240-7328.
Wisconsin's partnership in the Kaliningrad Region is part of the Russia Initiative, a program of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
The Bible in Russian
Go to the Wisconsin Conference home page.
The pictures above are of a pre-revolution time Russian Orthodox Bible. Graphics produced 1997 by T. M. Hamalainen, University of Helsinki, Slavonic and Baltic Department, and used with permission.
Map used courtesy of The General Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.