Dreaming Big for United Methodist Center in Moscow

MOSCOW (UMNS) — Peeling paint, leaky ceilings, sagging floors and patched plumbing do not deter the dream of Bishop Ruediger Minor and the Rev. Tobias Dietze for a United Methodist Center in the heart of Moscow.

This building in the heart of Moscow will soon become the home of seminary classrooms, offices, a worship area, dormitory space and an office for United Methodist Bishop Ruediger Minor. The building was purchased by the denomination's Board of Global Ministries with a grant from its Millennium Fund, but United Methodists around the world are being asked to help raise money for badly needed renovation. UMNS photo by Sue Calvin.

Walking carefully through the facility, recently purchased by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries with a grant from the Millennium Fund, the two men envision how the 16,500 square feet will be used for seminary classrooms, offices for the bishop and others, a worship area and dormitory space. Although acutely aware of the need for major renovation of the building, they are convinced that the dream will be a reality within the next several months.

Their dream is shared by countless United Methodist individuals and congregations who, through their prayers and gifts, support the Russia United Methodist Seminary and the 88 Methodist congregations in Russia.

In 1995, the United Methodist Church founded the seminary to train pastors to serve the growing church in post-communist Union Russia. The school has an average enrollment of 25 students, and 24 seminary graduates are now working in churches throughout Russia’s 11 time zones. Students are currently cramped into a rented facility of just 1,000 square feet, which also houses office space for Minor, bishop of the church’s Eurasia Area; Dietze, seminary administrator; a secretary’s work area; a classroom; and a library.

United Methodists are raising money to help correct problems such as these in a newly purchased building in Moscow. The building will house church offices and the Russian United Methodist Theological Seminary. UMNS photo by Sue Calvin.

In 1999, the seminary’s advisory committee launched a capital campaign to raise $2 million for renovating the building and establishing an endowment. Minor chairs the campaign, with Bishop Marion Edwards of the Raleigh (N.C.) Area serving as honorary chairman, and the Rev. Donald E. Messer of Denver serving as executive coordinator. Messer also chairs the advisory committee, which consists of representatives from the Board of Global Ministries, the churchwide Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the United Methodist Publishing House board and seven U.S. seminaries. The committee, in consultation with Minor, Dietze and the Rev. Yelena Stepanova, a Russian pastor, has responsibility for recruiting visiting faculty and interpreting the seminary's financial needs.

Returning from a recent consultation in Moscow, Messer said he is confident that the goal will be surpassed and the renovated building will meet the physical needs of the seminary.

"In a few short years, the seminary has flourished beyond original expectations, despite a Russian society which is experiencing major change and growing pains," Messer said. "God’s grace is abundantly present in our efforts to train religious leaders for the growing interest in Methodism in Russia. Each gift to the campaign is a contribution toward spiritual renewal in Russia."

Conferences, congregations and individuals are responding generously to the need, Messer said. The campaign provides opportunities for donors to name specific sections of the building, for churches to be designated Partnership Congregations and for individuals to be designated Friends of the Seminary.

Getting a building remodeled in Russia requires numerous bureaucratic steps, so the exact date for renovation is unknown. In the meantime, funds are being raised so that when the opportunity arises for transforming the old kindergarten building into a new church center and seminary, the project may proceed rapidly.

Financial support for the Russia United Methodist Theological Seminary Building Fund may be marked for Advance No. 012173-8AN and sent to the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, Attn: Dr. Peter Siegfried, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, New York 10115.

Links of Interest:
Millennium Fund for Mission
Advance Project: Mytischi Church Development, Educational & Fellowship Center