Ufa
Anyone who has ever visited a temple of any confession knows is familiar with the scene of beggars on the steps, the poor who ask for a penny and offer to pray for you in return. There is nothing unusual about this; we are used to seeing these “people of God” who are willing to pray for us, since it seems that we have little time for that ourselves.
500 years ago, however, Martin Luther thought that something needed to be done about poverty, that it wouldn't do to have a neighbor enslaved by hunger and need. Lutherans eventually began a movement – the diaconal movement – to serve orphans, the poor and homeless. All over the world Lutheran congregations distribute clothing and groceries to the needy, volunteer to take care of the elderly and the sick.
Not that long ago a diaconal enter was established at the Lutheran congregation in Ufa. On April 6-8 there was a seminar about the development of diaconal ministry there. Rainer Stahl, long-time secretary of Martin-Luther-Bund as well as visitation bishop Norbert Hintz and his wife Elizabeth took part. Local participants included the pastor of the Ufa congregation, Genrich Minich, the Area Dean of Bashkortostan Sergei Goltzvert, church council president Elvira Gartman and members of the Ufa congregation.
The guests spoke in detail about the principles of diaconal ministry and its history as a social phenomenon. Elizabeth Hintz spoke about the wife of Martin Luther, Ekaterina von Bora, who was a great supporter of Luther in his work as well as being a wonderful mother and housewife.
At the end of the seminar there was an organ concern during which those in attendance had the chance to appreciate this type of spiritual music.
Sergei Rusakov
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