The Right to Vote – For Winter Holidays!

Krasny Yar, Samarskaya Oblast (Russia)
  The traditional winter camp of the Samara danery was held in Krasny Yar (Samara obl.) from January 4 to 10. Children and youth up to 20 years old took part. The theme of the camp was “The Church is a gathering of people with the right to vote.”  Every child has a right to decide his or her own everyday problems and spiritual questions. And everyone has their own calling. For 5 days participants could take part in various aspects of “Kid's Church.” The evenings concluded with children's paryers and songs.
Participants in the program read the Bible and thought about problems of the contemporary Church. They also talked about dialog between religions since in the group there were children with Orthodox or Muslim parents.  

Love and trust reigned during the time the participants spent together. There were twice as many boys as girls. They showed their care and concern, gave them advice about faith...and even sometimes cleaned up in place of the girls! At the end of the time together the participants sang songs during the worship service at St. George Church in Samara. On behalf of the children and youth I would like to especially thank the Samara congregation and their volunteers – Manuel Schmidt and Hannah Böerle for full and interesting days at the winter camp.