Abakan, Russia
On March 13th the congregation in Abakan held an event for the whole region in order to give a proper send off to Pastor Dmitri Schweitz as he concludes his service in Siberia. Representatives from the local congregation as well as from Chernogorsk, Bograd, Borodino and Kuragino were in attendance. They blessed their pastor, who served for over two years in the region and made an invaluable contribution to the life of the church there, on his future service in Germany. Words of sincere thanks were spoken both to Dmitri and to his wife Natalia, who actively contributed to many part of congregational life. Dean Vladimir Vinogradov passed on greetings from Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Urals, Siberia and Far East, Otto Schaude and from the congregation in Omsk, where the Schweitz family worked before moving to Khakasia. Pastor Schweitz served in ELCUSFE as a mission worker with the Evangelical Lutheran Mission of Lower Saxony (Hermannsburg Mission).
The congregations of the region asked Preacher Zoya Heinze to prepare a report summarizing the ministry of the pastor, highlighting the most significant events. In particular she noted Pastor Schweitz's gifts as a preacher; his sermons made one think and touched the lives of those who heard him. Another important achievement made during Dmitri and Natalia's time was the beginning of a summer children's camp. Participants o the camp (both children and adults) will miss Pastor Schweitz's warm and interesting Bible studies. During his years of service Dmitri Schweitz continued regular congregational visits and contributed greatly to the financial health of the region (a new car, the renovation of the kitchen in Abakan, the purchase of a place to worship for the Chernogorsk congregation, etc.). A new edition of the songbook for the region made under the direction of Pastor Schweitz will be yet another reason for the congregations of the region to remember his ministry kindly.
Saying goodbye was very sad, but the Lutherans of the Khakasia region hope that in the Lord all His children remain in fellowship and, perhaps the future will hold more happy meetings with Pastor Dmitri Schweitz.
Anna Guray
On March 13th the congregation in Abakan held an event for the whole region in order to give a proper send off to Pastor Dmitri Schweitz as he concludes his service in Siberia. Representatives from the local congregation as well as from Chernogorsk, Bograd, Borodino and Kuragino were in attendance. They blessed their pastor, who served for over two years in the region and made an invaluable contribution to the life of the church there, on his future service in Germany. Words of sincere thanks were spoken both to Dmitri and to his wife Natalia, who actively contributed to many part of congregational life. Dean Vladimir Vinogradov passed on greetings from Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Urals, Siberia and Far East, Otto Schaude and from the congregation in Omsk, where the Schweitz family worked before moving to Khakasia. Pastor Schweitz served in ELCUSFE as a mission worker with the Evangelical Lutheran Mission of Lower Saxony (Hermannsburg Mission).
The congregations of the region asked Preacher Zoya Heinze to prepare a report summarizing the ministry of the pastor, highlighting the most significant events. In particular she noted Pastor Schweitz's gifts as a preacher; his sermons made one think and touched the lives of those who heard him. Another important achievement made during Dmitri and Natalia's time was the beginning of a summer children's camp. Participants o the camp (both children and adults) will miss Pastor Schweitz's warm and interesting Bible studies. During his years of service Dmitri Schweitz continued regular congregational visits and contributed greatly to the financial health of the region (a new car, the renovation of the kitchen in Abakan, the purchase of a place to worship for the Chernogorsk congregation, etc.). A new edition of the songbook for the region made under the direction of Pastor Schweitz will be yet another reason for the congregations of the region to remember his ministry kindly.
Saying goodbye was very sad, but the Lutherans of the Khakasia region hope that in the Lord all His children remain in fellowship and, perhaps the future will hold more happy meetings with Pastor Dmitri Schweitz.
Anna Guray
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