25th Synod Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of European Russia

St. Petersburg
“To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring.” (Rev. 21.6) – this verse is the watchword for 2018 and was also the theme of the ELCER synod assembly which took place March 20-22 at the Novosaratovka Theological Seminary (St. Petersburg). 32 delegates elected by their deaneries to represent them took part in this, the most authoritative legislative body of the ELCER, which meets biennially.

Synod President Olga Temirbulatova welcomed the delegates and guests, including Friedemann Eme from the Church of Saxony and the director of the Hannover office of Martin Luther Bund, Norbert Hintz; the latter has come many times to the synod assembly for fellowship with brothers and sisters and to participate in the work of the Synod. Before the assembly there was a conference of area deans during which each of them gave reports about the ministries of their regions.

Bishop Dietrich Brauer spoke in his report about the activities of the past two years, and in particular about the successful events dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Delegates accepted the report of the head of the ELCER administration, Viktor Weber, and confirmed the auditors' report for 2016-2017 and the budget for 2018-2019. The coordinator of women's ministries Elena Bondarenko, of youth work Vera Tkach and the coordinator of diaconal ministries Artis Petersons informed delegates about the work that has taken place since the last synod assembly and elected Vladislav Telegin to the office of children's ministries. Starting in March 2018 he began sending out materials for children's worship to the congregations of our Church.

The synod heard the report of the President of the Theological Seminary, Anton Tikhomirov, and supported the seminary with the following statement: “The synod assembly declares that the Seminary is a unique Russian-speaking educational institution and theological center for the entire post-Soviet context. Its continued existence is fundamentally important for our Church and for all the Churches of the Union of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.” The synod assembly expressed its willingness to support the Seminary in any way possible. Bradn Buerkle, the head of the “Equipping for Service” educational ministry, spoke with delegates about the seminars that have been held in congregations in Russia and the Union. All those in attendance received as a gift the new book of collected sermons by Archbishop Dietrich Brauer. The synod assembly came to a close with a worship service with Holy Communion on March 22nd at the seminary chapel.