The gathering brought together lay members and ministers from Velmema Lutheran Church of Saransk, Mordovia; Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Yoshkar-Ola, Mari El; St. Andrew the Apostle Lutheran Church of Kazan, Tatarstan, and even a sister in Christ from Olonets, Karelia.

 

During the first day at Lake Shamsutdin and at the church, some of the topics discussed in the presentations were the importance of sanctification in the minister’s life, the congregation’s mission and the importance of team work.

 

On the second day, the participants visited an apiary as Bashkortostan is famous for its honey. Continued discussions included taking stock of all the overt and hidden resources of the Christian congregation and brainstorming to generate ideas for the ministries. In the evening, the group went sightseeing in downtown Birsk and saw a concert program in connection with Day of Family, Love and Faithfulness.

 

On Sunday, everyone attended a divine service at the Lutheran Church of Birsk celebrated by the Reverend Uralic Dean Artur Semyonov who was assisted by the congregation’s senior pastor Rev. Vladislav Abdullin.

 

Many thanks to Senior Pastor Abdullin and his wife, the lady chefs and all the members of the Birsk Lutheran Church for the warm welcome, meals and accommodation!

 

The Lutheran Church of Kazan, Tatarstan, served as the logistical center for the retreat as the participants from faraway stayed there for the night on their way to Birsk and back. Many thanks to its senior pastor Rev. Artur Semyonov, Catechist Valeri Trusov and the lady chefs!

 

Information courtesy of Yekaterina Wilhelm, youth work coordinator, ELCIR Uralic Deanery