Thank you
for joining me again this week and for the helpful comments that you post each
week. It’s nice to know that through this little blog we sense your support and
encouragement on our journey. It’s good to travel together!
|
The Sunday congregation at Narva |
Last week I
introduced you to Narva and Voru, our most remote corps. Facebook followers
will have read that we visited Narva last Sunday for our first experience of
Sunday worship there. The 3rd floor worship hall was quite full (see
pic) and the singing was enthusiastic and loud. Having worshipped mainly in
Tallinn so far, it was interesting to see the different style of worship here
in this Russian community. Songs were not translated adaptations of
internationally known praise and worship songs but songs birthed in Russia –
often in the minor key but always sung with gusto. The corps are working through
a ‘Bible in a year’ reading plan and Captain Mihail invited testimonies of how
this week’s readings have helped. A number stepped to the front readily to
share how much they had learned from the readings. I confess, I had never
realised how interesting the book of Chronicles and the story of King Manasseh
could be!! During worship I shared a short word of introduction and Lyn
preached.
|
Lyn shares the Word (assisted by Tanel) |
It was lovely to see people coming forward to the place of prayer – a
very simple wooden bench having as much significance for those particular seekers
as the most ornate mercy seat. After worship we joined with the corps family
for sandwiches and cake and learned more about the people who make up that
fellowship; communion in every sense of the word.
We then
travelled to Johvi, about 70kms back on the road to Tallinn. This small town’s
population of approx 11,000 has an ethnic Russian majority so is predominantly a
Russian speaking town. Candidates Evgeny and Arina were appointed as corps
leaders a few months ago but with the change of Regional Leaders they had not
been formally installed into their roles. It was our privilege to conduct the
ceremony. One thing we have learned here is that with not a single local
officer, many corps programmes rely heavily on corps leaders and officers and when
leaders change this has a significant impact. This has been felt especially at
Johvi and Evgeny and Arina are struggling to regroup a congregation. So as
Evgeny stood to lead the worship Lyn and I were joined by Tanel (who
|
Candidates Evgeny and Arina (with Leon) |
had
accompanied us as translator), Arina and 3 others. When it came time for the installation
ceremony I asked if we could change the seating from formal rows into a circle.
After the ceremony and the promises of commitment we invited the small corps
family to gather around their new leaders and place a hand upon them as we
prayed. We do not underestimate the challenge that Evgeny and Arina will face
as they seek God’s wisdom and direction for their ministry. Your prayers would
be valued, too.
I think we
British Salvationists sometimes take for granted the commitment of our local
officers. I was reminded last week how blessed I have been in previous corps appointments
to have reliable, caring local officers who have maintained programmes,
ministry and witness despite the comings and goings of Corprs leaders.
Yesterday
we travelled to Tartu (the last stop on this blog’s tour!). We had visited
Tartu twice before but , due to family holidays, had not had the privilege of
meeting Captain Anna Kotirkadze and her children. David and Anna are overseas
officers, serving here from the Eastern Europe territory and their homes in
Georgia and Russia (respectively). Tartu
is Estonia’s 2nd city, a really beautiful town hosting a large
university, the Ministry of education and the country’s Supreme court. Under David and Anna’s leadership the corps is
in fine form. Whilst blessed with only a handful of soldiers (and no local
officers) this small group meet every Wednesday for Bible study and planning meetings.
The corps programme has a positive mix of worship, discipleship and social service.
A partnership with ’Toidaank’ (Estonia’s food bank initiative) sees food parcels distributed
|
Tartu corps (installation of Cadets Maksim and Dzina) |
from the corps every week; clothes distributions take place simultaneously. The corps has one problem – the hall is no
longer big enough. We own a small worship hall and rent adjacent rooms for the
social services programme. But we need more space – and that’s a good problem
to have. Fortunately, David’s previous appointments include Territorial
Property secretary (Moscow) so he has the skills necessary to identify suitable
options. We look forward to working together on this, developing a project
proposal and praying for generous donors!
These few
weeks are very much about ‘journeying’ – thanks for travelling around Estonia
with me during these last couple of postings. Tomorrow I travel to London for a
budget conference at IHQ. Lyn will be in Finland midweek and then heads to the
UK next weekend to join me as we return to Portsmouth to celebrate the life of
Anne Sumner – one of those faithful local officers I referred to earlier. Wherever your journey takes you this week I
pray you will ‘go well and go with God’.
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