The Russian Initiative
Minutes of Russia Initiative Meeting, March 23
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Travel To Russia In 2019 To Support The United Methodist Church
We are in the early planning stages to put together a trip to Volgograd, Russia in 2019. There are many planning details to be considered. It is important that we begin this process by establishing who might be interested in this travel. If you are interested, just send an email to hworkman9@ gmail.com.
There is no obligation at this time; you will simply be put on the mailing list. We will be interested in knowing how many in each family may be going, and whether there are teenagers or younger children involved. More planning details on this page. Trip Plans To Russia 2019
SKYPE SCHEDULE
If possible, a SKYPE session is held with the Russian pastors every month, depending on the pastor's schedule. Since Volgograd is nine hours ahead of Chicago, the best time is about 10 am Chicago time, usually on a Saturday. If interested in attending, please consult hworkman@wowway.com to be added to the email list.
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Coffee Shop Needs
It is extremely difficult for the Methodist churches in Volgograd to have any outreach program because the state prohibits any type of religious outreach beyond the church. The Hope and Transfiguration UMC churches have decided to open a secular coffee shop as a means of having some contact with non-believers. Below is a list of items that they desire to complete their coffee shop needs. If you would like to contribute to these needed items, contact hworkman@wowway.com
August 26, 2017
Peace to you and your whole church! Constantly we thank God for your participation in the life of our churches in Volgograd. We are coming to the completion of the construction and improvement of our Christian cafe. On Monday, we deliver and collect furniture. Kitchen counter (counter), wardrobe, sofas. But we do not already have the means to purchase the following necessary inventory:
- Equipment for hot and cold water production - $200
- Coffee machine -$450
- Coffee pairs (cup-saucer) 100 pairs -$300
- Teaspoons 100 pieces -$50
- Tablecloths 8 pieces -$150
- Trays of 10 pieces -$40
We will be happy to receive any help from your side, and accept it as from the Lord!
With prayer for you, Pastors Valeri and Vladimir
Why There Is A Coffee Shop
It is extremely difficult for the Methodist churches in Volgograd to have any outreach program because the state prohibits any type of religious outreach beyond the church. The Hope and Transfiguration UMC churches have decided to open a secular coffee shop as a means of having some contact with non-believers. They have decided to build it in the basement of Valeri’s home. The upper floor of his home houses the Transfiguration church, and the basement will be the coffee house with a direct access to the street – not through the church. Christians and non-believers will be able to meet in a non-church setting for socializing. The key concept of this outreach program is that instead of inviting non-believers to church (which is illegal); they can be invited to a secular coffee shop. Other churches may use this space for their social activities, too. And other groups that might use the coffee house setting are pensioners and children’s groups. We are going to try to participate via SKYPE for the ribbon cutting on September 16. This is obviously an international event! Work is currently underway. The floor is finished, and they are finishing the ceiling and walls. There is currently no dedicated financing for this project; payment comes from the pastors’ own pockets. We will continue prayers for their project and hope that in some way we will be able to offer financial help for this great project of the church in Volgograd.
