“Our partnership is vitally important to our Companion Congregations in Russia.” This is the biggest single insight that Gary Teske gained from his participation in the annual summer seminar of the Deanery of the Russian Far East. The seminar took place at a retreat center on the coast just south of Vladivostok and included representatives of all 9 of the congregations in the Russian Far East as well as representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, Germany and Pastor Gary Teske representing the Central States Synod. While the Russian government no longer engages in the active suppression of religious activities, the Lutheran congregations still face very formidable challenges to their ministry and outreach from government bureaucracies, hostility from the Russian Orthodox Church, widespread ignorance of this thing called the “Lutheran Church,” and other factors as well. While the churches in the Russian Far East do apply for and get some projects funded from churches and organizations in other countries, primarily Germany, the Central States Synod is the only companion or “partner” synod that the Russian Far East has. Our visits, prayers and the funds we send for the support of Pastor Lapochenko and the general ministry of the Russian Far East among other things are vitally important to them. And, their witness to us of perseverance, faithfulness, resourcefulness and joy in the face of adversity is of great value to us.

Don’t forget that by resolution of our Synod Assembly, Sunday, October 7th has been designated as our Sunday to remember our Companion Churches in Russia. Watch for a bulletin insert that can be used for that Sunday as well as other resources for the day. Consider taking a special offering for the support of Pastor Lapochenko who serves St. Luke Lutheran Church in Arsenyev, or for the general ministry of the Russian Far East, or for the restricted travel fund to help fund future visits to and from our Cousin Christians in the Russian Far East.