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Church in Ekaterinburg, Russia
The First United Methodist Church was founded in July 1990 in Ekaterinburg, Russia before the religious law was signed. The congregation changed five locations until it finally built the church.
Help Elderly Russian Women!
Since Pastor Lydia left Russia not too many things changed for elderly people for the best.
They live in poverty. Under Lydia's leadership the church in Ekaterinburg started four soup-kitchens and served hot lunches for over 200 women and men once a week, sometimes even twice a week from 1992 to 1995. Gradually the church charitable programs declined due to financial difficulties.
The congregation in Ekaterinburg under the leadership of Rev. Olga Kotsuba completed the church building - the very first Methodist Church in Russia. The church was dedicated in 2000.
The church building still requires lots of money to maintain it in a good condition. There are some problems with other religious groups in town - people, who do not like Methodists, throw rocks at the church windows. The church needs a fence to protect the property and its members from violence.
This is how soup-kitchens were gradually replaced with giving out only 60 food bags once a month.
Olga Kotsuba and her Associate Pastor Rev. Tatian Tomakh, who used to be Lydia's Administrative Assistant, are very courageous women, serving Christ in the midst of persecution and need.
Our church had already sent $1800 and we are looking forward to collect more.
Please join!
Partners in Ministry
Rev. Lydia has long relationship with the church in Sevierville, TN through her friend Mike Carmichael. She spoke many times in that church. During her most difficult times Mike and his friends and family were always there for her, her children and family, and her church.
Mike Carmichael joined the Russia Initiative back in 1992 and attended the very frst meeting in Atlanta, GA in 1992, where he met Lydia Istomina. This is how their partnership started.
Mike Carmichael came with his new initiative to support Lydia's first church in Ekaterinburg through newly formed partnership between our church, his church in Sevierville and the Vineville UMC in Macon, GA that Pastor Lydia visited back in August 2005.
Mike Carmichael works with Tom Whatley from Vineville UMC to develop strong communication and partnership between the three churches to produce strong vision and to build fruitful collaboration.
We thank God for our friends and partners in Christ!
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GREAT WEEKEND WITH RUSSIAN VISITORS
We were honored to have as our guests the weekend of November 17-18, several guests from our sister church in Yekaterinburg, Russia: Rev. Olga Kotsuba - Distrist Superintendent of the Ural Region, Rev. Tatiana Tomakh - Co-pastor, Yuri Ivanitski - Lay Leader. The group had attended the Russian Initiative Consultation held locally, and then joined us for a Russian concert on Saturday evening and worship on Sunday. Then they were our guests for a Thanksgiving dinner after worship. It was so inspiring and rewarding to get acquainted with our brothers and sisters from Pastor Lydia’s former church in Russia.
In honor of our Russian brothers and sisters we planted a birch tree in our Peace Garden. It brought tears in our guests’ eyes: the birch tree is a symbol of Russia.
Russian musicians from St. Louis, Vladimir Golodnykh and Tamara Lakshina drove to Raytown to perform their original songs – that was a wonderful evening of Russian music.
We wish to give a special thanks to the Youth Group under the direction of Sally Fry and Terresa McKinney for the delicious Thanksgiving dinner served to all (with a little assistance from the Outreach Committee), and also to those who contributed grocery items for the meal, brought desserts, etc. The proceeds from Thanksgiving Dinner went to our mission in Yekaterinburg, Russia. It was a wonderful weekend!
Outreach Committee
Rev. Olga Kotsuba
Lydia Istomina, Olga Kotsuba and Raisa Istomina during their meeting
in the house of John and Irina Gibson. Irina Gibson is Lydia's sister.
Two sisters and their parents, Paul and Raisa Istomina,
Julia - Lydia's daughter and a few friends started the church back in 1990.
The church grew almost up to a 1000 members in three years
by the power of the Holy Spirit and because of lots of prayers
and help from many people in the US
Rev. Olga Kotsuba met with Rev. Lydia Istomina in March 2006 in Shreveport, LA. They are friends for 17 years since they served their church in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Both pastors are happy to do ministry together again - this time over the ocean.
Rev. Olga used to be an engineer, building the very first subway in Ekaterinburg. She used to work many hours under the ground, supervising the construction, and then putting even more hours as a volunteer for the church. Her experience served her well when she had to continue the ministry and the construction of the church building after Lydia Istomina stayed in the US. Rev. Olga showed strength and courage, leading the congregation and completing the building. Later, Olga Kotsuba graduated from seminary in Moscow and got ordained. Now, she is the District Superintendent for the Ural District and the Senior Pastor of the FUMC, Ekaterinburg. When Lydia's father was dying, Olga came with the group of other women from his church in Ekaterinburg that he helped to start and operate. It was the best gift that they could give. After they came back to Russia, the church members set up a memorial for Pavel Istomin.
Olga Kotsuba is a wonderful and inspirational speaker and a committed mother and wife. She is truly a blessing for her people and for Russia.
We hope to host Rev. Olga Kotsuba in Raytown in November, 2007.
Bishop Vaxbi - the Bishop of Russia
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