To the North and to the East

Syktyvkar / Ukhta/ Archangelsk

At the end of October and beginning of November 2015 it was my time to travel: as Dean Northwest Russia, I was to the north and east parts of the deanery.

In Syktyvkar and Ukhta they had been waiting for me for quite some time. They met me in the small congregational building; we worshiped together with the 10 active members of the congregation; the elderly members gather together before the service begins in order to sign hymns. After the service, which we lead together with Pastor Andrey Tashak, we met together for fellowship. The main theme was the congregation's building. It is very old and has even begun to tilt on its foundation... So a project for a new building is needed. Everyone was in agreement about that already, but now there is a project and we are now ready to start the search for finances. I think that we have a good basis for this – a living hope and the faith-filled songs of a small congregation. 

  On the next day Andrey Tashak and I went by bus to Ukhta. We were met by Elena Brott and congregational members. Worship services are held in the German cultural center. After worship we visited an interesting museum of the history of Germans in Ukhta. I was particularly impressed by the heart-felt reception given to me, the celebratory atmosphere of worship and the good musical accompaniment; all of that established a special mood that accompanied me during the day full of meetings and conversations. 

  At the beginning of November I once again visited the congregation in Archangelsk. After the holiday in June there were a few open questions, for example, about the historical building. How might we again be in dialog with local so that we could again have worship in the kirche, as was the case before 2008? And when can we install a memorial plaque on the building?  In conversation with the congregational members, we came close to an answer. Ludmilla Gergert, the church council president, is to thank for that. She is in constant contact with the local administration in order to resolve these questions. Thanks to Ludmilla there is a constructive atmosphere in the congregations, even though they don't have their own space. It was difficult for me to leave Archangelsk on Saturday before the Sunday worship service, but Pastor Elvira Zhaides led it and I am thankful to both sisters in Christ!

Dean Michael Schwartzkopf