August 2008

Dear Friends,

Zdrastbite, dorogai druzia! (How are you, dear friends?)

We do hope that this short note finds you all in good health and living a peaceful life.

Hannah and Joe had to wrap up their short summer holidays in the States so that Joe could return to St. Petersburg for the two-week intensive summer extension course. Our return flight was trouble free, and Joe started teaching the day after our arrival. This time there were 27 students from all over Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Ukraine. They were a mixed group of housewives, teachers, professionals, and the retired; male and female; young and old. Because of the recent Russian military actions in Georgia, everyone at the seminary has been praying for the safe return of one female student from Georgia. As the situation now has gotten better, she was able to travel back to her country. The seminary is also expecting one new student from Georgia for the regular program.

The closing worship service of the summer extension course on ecclesiology.

The theme of the summer extension course this year was “ecclesiology.”  Joe taught ecclesiology of the New Testament. We had one German guest lecturer who taught “Church and Worship” from the point of view of practical theological. Church from the Lutheran and systematic theological aspect was taught by Anton Tikhomirov, our Russian rector. The whole program was quite intensive. It began with the morning devotion at 8 o'clock and ended with the evening devotion at 6 o'clock. Lectures were given from 9:00 in the morning till 5:00 in the afternoon. At the end of the program, students took examinations for each subject. Then there was also an evaluation session for the program and teachers by participants. Joe's teaching New Testament ecclesiology was very popular among students and taken as being very useful to students in their church life. The closing worship service and holy Communion was conducted by Anton and Archbishop Ratz.

Romaneva is a 63-year-old lay preacher in the far east port city of Magadan.

As you may know, the situation of the most Protestant churches in Russia is similar to that of first century Christian churches. They are mostly small—30  to 50 members, some places 10 to 20 only, led by lay leaders. Only a few big congregations, with about 100 members, are led by ordained pastors. Many churches don't have their own building. They worship at someone's apartment or they rent a place. We have two students from Magadan, a port city in the far east of Russia. The story of how their small group of Christians worships on Sunday was quite touching. Elena Romaneva is 63 years old. She is a lay preacher of the congregation located 50 kilometers outside Magadan. As her congregation doesn't have a church building, they worship in her apartment. She was hopeful that this house church would soon find a place to worship and have more worshippers.

When students come for their new academic year on September 9, Joe will be teaching four different Biblical subjects: Pentateuch to the first- and second-year students; Old Testament theology to third-year students; the synoptic Gospels to the first- and second-year students; and general epistles to the third-year students. Lena Bondarenko, Joe's interpreter, began to assist him by teaching the basic introductory courses last semester. A full scholarship was granted by the Lutheran World Federation to her for an advanced degree program in Biblical studies. So she is now searching for an adviser in one of universities in Germany. She is expected to succeed Joe teaching at the seminary when Joe retires.

As mentioned in our previous letter, this seminary is going to celebrate its centennial anniversary in September. There will be a homecoming of graduates and former lecturers along with guests from the partner churches, beginning September 25 and lasting for four days. During this time there will be a seminar called, “The past, present, and future of theological education in ELCROS.” Another three-day international theological conference on the “Theology of Diaspora” is also scheduled, beginning November 12. We will update you about these events later.

In the meantime we wish you all the blessings and peace from the Lord of our Church. “Dosvidanya!” (Bye for now!)

In Christ,

Hannah & Joe Kang

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 158