St.
Petersburg
On
October 24-25 the St. Anna and St. Peter congregation celebrated 20
years of diaconal ministry in the congregation. The Lutheran church
in Russia has always had a strong tradition of service to neighbor,
of helping those in need - those who are at risk, lonely, sick or
elderly.
The current pastor of the congregation, is Dean Michael Schwartzkopf. Pastors
who had previously served in the congregation also came to take part in
the celebrations - Pastor Christoph Ericht, Pastor Matthias Zierold,
and Pastor Hans Krech. Pastor Zierold came together with 25
pastors from the Jena area; he organized a program about the history
of Lutheranism in Russia and about Russian Germans and also organized
a meeting with representatives of the Orthodox Church.
Sisters
in Christ who took part in the diaconal group from the very beginning
shared their memories and their photos at tea time fellowship on
October 24th. The initiator of the group was Pastor Heinz Kitske,
though he has unfortunately passed away.
On
Sunday four pastors led worship together - a rather unusual event in a Lutheran church. One of the most touching moments of the service was
the prayers of the people, which were led by participants of the
diaconal group. Pastor Schwartzkopf and Pastor Ericht blessed the
members of the groups, who today continue to visit those who are in
poor health, provide pastoral care to them, buy them groceries and
medicine. The church council president, Gerta Krylova, who also leads
the work of the diaconal group, thanked those who participated and
gave them small gifts. Music was provided by the mixed horn choir
made up of congregational members from St. Petersburg and the
congregation's sister congregation in Helsinki under the direction of
Richard Altermayer.
All
those who give their hearts to others need the understanding and
support of others. We wish all those engaged in this difficult and
important ministry strength and patience, health and God's blessings!
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