| |
Russia
 Father Mefodiy developed a holistic ministry for those struggling with addiction.
Father Mefodiy Kondratyev is the abbot of a small monastic community on the banks of the Volga River. The site of this community is a remote, abandoned village with an old church, St. George’s. Through the years the brothers have worked to restore the church, reclaim forgotten buildings, and till the land for agriculture. They have established an orchard and a colony of bees. It is almost completely self-sustaining.
One of Father Mefodiy’s spiritual daughters is involved in drug rehabilitation in St. Petersburg. Listening to Elena share the struggles of the young men in rehabilitation, Father Mefodiy invited a few to come down to St. George’s. Spending time with these young men, Father Mefodiy began to understand their needs more deeply and in response began to develop a rehabilitation program. This program involves the men in the work and worship of the community and uses an innovative tool — film therapy. Each week they watch contemporary films, examine the human problems that the films portray, and discuss a Christian response. It is a holistic program held within a healing place.
Father Mefodiy has also reached beyond the walls of St. George’s. In December, Father Sergei Goncharov, a priest also involved in drug rehabilitation, and Ellen Smith, PC(USA) mission co-worker in Russia, were hosted in Louisville by the PC(USA) International Health Ministries and Europe Area offices and were shown American models of drug rehabilitation and halfway ministry. The next step will be to implement these new ideas and to share what they have gained with others.
PC(USA) People in Mission
Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy: Rev. Robert Bronkema, pastor, Rev. Stacy Bronkema, team ministry
St. Petersburg Lutheran Seminary: Hannah Kang, team ministry, Rev. Dr. Joseph Kang, theology professor
Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of the Russian Federation: Alan Smith, teacher/counselor, Ellen Smith, coordinator for congregational twinning
Rev. Garth Moller, director, Kargel and Baedeker School
Gary Payton, regional liaison, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, World Mission
Partners/Ministries
Russian Orthodox Church: Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia
Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of the Russian Federation: Rev. Yuri K. Sipko, president
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States: Archbishop Edmund Ratz
Interchurch Partnership: Archpriest Vladimir Fedorov and Ms. Marina Shishova
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Lisa Kirkonis, BOP
Mark Klemm, FDN
Patricia Kleynowski, BOP
Heavenly Father, we give thanks for those who see and hear and then respond, and continue responding. Fill our hearts with love for our neighbor and grant us courage to step out in faith. May we serve with gentleness and humility. Amen.
Ps. 15, 147:1–11 Ps. 48, 4
1 Sam. 7:2–17
Acts 6:1–15; Luke 22:14–23
|
|
