Trips

Virginia Conference United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (UMVIM) teams go to many parts of Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union. We have an ongoing special relationship with Pyatigorsk UMC (Pastor Alexander Kozorezov) and Stavopol UMC (Pastor Yelena Menyelova) in the South Russia District (in the North Caucasus region of southern Russia). In recent years we also have had UMVIM teams travel to Chelyabinsk, Ivanovo, Moscow, and Kiev (Ukraine).

On this site you can find information about teams from the Virginia Conference who have planned their trips in consultation with the Virginia Conference's Russia Initiative Committee. We believe this coordination helps all of us to work in Russia and in Virginia in a wise and efficient manner. If you are interested in participating in or supporting the Conference's vitall mission in Russia, here's where you can find out about our trips. We strongly encourage all our trips to be registered with the Southeast Jurisdiction UMVIM offices Decatur, Georgia, and to coordinated with the assistance of the national Russia Initiative of The UMC.

Teams do many kinds of things to serve, edify and encourage congregations of the Russia United Methodist Church and to serve the people of Russia with local congregations of the RUMC. Different teams have different strategies, priorities and schedules, but-- the common goal and underlying purpose of every Virginia Conference UMVIM Team which heads to Russia is-- to build and strengthen relationships with people.

Trips being planned currently include the following:

United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM) Trip to Pyatigorsk, Russia
June 18 - July 3, 2008
Sam NeSmith - Coordinator
mingo@erols.com
Home #804-329-9134
Cell # 804-337-5195

The trip is specifically a United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (VIM) effort. The concept of VIM is to provide volunteers with a hands-on, work experience as short-term missionaries. We will be living and working at the Pyatigorsk Boarding School for Special Needs Children, where we will be doing extensive repair work, such as minor carpentry, painting, plastering, replacing tiles and carpet, repairing windows and doors,and placing stonework around flower gardens. Through this effort, we will continue to grow in the Christian faith and in our understanding of mission.

During our time in Pyatigorsk, we participate in activities with Pyatigorsk United Methodist Church that is located in the commuity. Last year we had a Bible School there daily for children and adults, worshiped on Sundays, joined in a fellowship meal with the church and Boarding School, and visited with the church at two orphanages they are supporting. We hope to do the same activities this year. We will conclude our stay with a three day retreat in the mountains with staff of the Boarding School and members of the church. In the mornings we will have presentations by different persons on topics of general intest to all of us, and will spend the remainder of the day with social and recreational activities. The purpose of the retreat is to become better acquainted with one another, to strengthen our friendships, explore cultural differences, and affirm and celebrate our commonalities. In the past, our team has been busy with work and we have not had the opportunity for reflection. The retreat has been planned in order that we might spend quality time with our friends in Russia.

The team will send emails home and would be glad to put your name on the distribution list; simply send an email request to be added to the list to arkijean@verizon.net Your prayers and interest are most appreciated!

Mission Trip to Chelyabinsk, Russia
June 21- July 5, 2008
Contact person – Dianna Wallen, dlwallen@shentel.net or 540-459-8875

A group of 14 will be traveling to Chelyabinsk, Russia (in the Siberia region of Russia) to an orphanage of children ages 7-17. Children are housed and schooled at this orphanage. Our goal this year is to do a complete renovation to one section of the children’s dorm room. This will include preparing walls, painting, plastering and wallpapering. Also we will be proving new floor covering, beds, mattresses and do a complete renovation to the bathroom. We also will be doing a Bible school for small children and we will be talking about the birth of Jesus. New this year we plan to offer “Bible 101” for teens and any staff that are interested. We have prepared stories, games, crafts and singing.

The team will send emails home and would be glad to put your name on the distribution list; simply send an email request to be added to the list to dlwallen@shentel.net. Of course they covet your prayers as well!

Christ Church Russian Mission to Stavropol, Russia
July 9-July 22, 2008
Contact person/leader – Pastor Bob Riggles, pastorbob@christchurchva.org or 703-690-3401

A group of 7 mission team members from Christ Church in Fairfax Station, VA will be traveling to Stavropol, Russia (in the Caucasus region of Russia—east of the Black Sea and several miles southeast of Moscow) to a boarding school and orphanage.  The purpose of our mission is threefold:  First, we share God’s love by example.  Second, we share God’s love as we continue to build relationships with the people of the Stavropol Church.  Third, we share God’s love through our work at the boarding school and orphanage.  We will be doing various maintenance, renovations and repair projects at the school to include changing floor covering, painting various buildings (walls, hallways, floors) and other general repairs. We will also be an encouragement to the people of the Stavropol Church through worship, Bible study, prayer & fellowship.

The team will send emails home and would be glad to put your name on the e-mail distribution list; simply send an email  request to be added to the list to wshugarts@verizon.net.

Of course, we encourage your prayers for our mission team’s-safe traveling and working God’s plan for us.  Thank you!

2008 mission trip to Ivanovo
July 18-August 1, 2008
Contact - Allan Nixon, allannixon@comcast.net

16 people will be traveling on this mission trip to Ivanovo, Russia. They represent Grace UMC, Manassas, Tabernacle UMC, Fredericksburg, and Shady Grove, UMC in Mechanicsville.  This Russia Initiative mission trip builds on 13 years of work by previous teams, seeking to build bridges of understanding, peace and faith. Past efforts have included repair work in orphanages, schools and social support centers, but the greatest accomplishments have been continuing relations of grace-filled friendship with hosts, interpreters, children, families, and Russian leaders.

This year the team will live and work in the Interdom orphanage and boarding school in Ivanovo, a mid-size city located about 250 km northeast of Moscow. Our work project at the school will focus on the renovation of several classrooms that are used to teach Math, Russian language, geography and biology. In addition, the team will refurbish and provide equipment for school workshops. As time permits, similar renovations will be made at a Regional Dispensary for Treatment of Oncology Patients.

Potential Russia UMVIM Team Leaders: To post information here about upcoming UMVIM trips to Russia not listed here, please email David Hindman, Russia Initiative Committee Chair.