July 2, 2010

Russian United Methodists worship in the newly renovated Aspiration Church sanctuary, in a building funded by Minnesota United Methodists’ gifts.

Following the Minnesota Annual Conference, my husband, Rev. Ken Ehrman, and I attended the Eurasia Area’s Northwest Annual Conference, held outside St. Petersburg, Russia. I taught Bible study and we both participated in the dedication of the building that was purchased last year with a financial gift from Minnesota. The building was to house at least one worshiping congregation and the district and conference offices.

Bishop Hans Växby, the episcopal leader of Eurasia, preached on Acts 2 at the conference’s closing service. He said that God has always spoken to people via dreams. Dreams may be ethereal, but the act of bringing them into existence is not. It takes a lot of work, even sweat, Bishop Växby said. Dreams don’t get fulfilled on their own. They require time and deliberate effort.

His sermon reminded me how this church center in St. Petersburg was a dream held by just a few people from Minnesota and brought for approval at the 2004 Minnesota Annual Conference session. We completed the fundraising in late 2008. The economic crisis worked in our favor; the St. Petersburg church leaders were able to purchase a building at half the price asked when they first saw it months earlier. They purchased the building in April 2009 with enough money to renovate it.

Last June I saw the building before it was renovated. I was delighted with its possibilities. At that time, Rev. Irina Margulis—pastor of Aspiration United Methodist Church, the congregation that meets in the new building—already had many very specific dreams for this space’s renovation.

When we drove up to the building for the dedication last month, the outside looked pretty much the same, although it had new windows. But when I stepped inside, I saw an amazing transformation! Pastor Irina’s dreams had come true and they were beautiful to behold!

Russian buildings aren’t known for their carefully executed design and finishing. This building is a rare exception. From the lighting to the flooring, from the finishes on the walls to the furnishings, Pastor Margulis’s dream had been carefully, beautifully, and frugally implemented. She was a furniture designer before going into pastoral ministry and her gifts to both envision and implement the project (under budget) were impressive.

Sweat equity

Costs stayed low in part because Pastor Irina; her husband, Rev. Andrei Kim, who is the district superintendent; their family members; and the Aspiration UMC members spent hours of sweat equity on the project. They searched for just the right supplies, equipment, and furnishings. Because they had the funds on hand, they were able to purchase them when they were discounted. The justifiable pride that they all take in the building’s renovation is apparent and appealing. They added great value to the Minnesota gift!

During the dedication service, I announced that a portion of our 2010 Love Offering would be wired shortly. On June 15, we wired $24,600 to St. Petersburg. I told Irina, “Keep dreaming about how this facility can be enhanced for ministry and outreach.” They asked me to tell you, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND OFFERING!

Later that evening, Pastor Irina shared some of the ideas that she had to further the worship and fellowship of the church. Now two congregations are sharing the building under her care: Aspiration and God’s Inspiration. (Aren’t their church names interesting?)

Bishop Växby’s sermon about bringing dreams into reality wasn’t about the building but about what they call the Eurasian Roadmap. This is their strategy for outreach to new people, spiritual depth through education, and sustainability as an episcopal area. Yes, my friends, it’s much like a Congregational Ministry Plan in Minnesota! Evidently some clergy resist it because Bishop Växby emphasized how important it is to plan, prepare, and implement in an intentional way, and that requires hard work, even sweat! He recognizes that in the Eurasian culture, it’s difficult to grow churches and the government resists their efforts at outreach. (Sound somewhat familiar?)

Dreams are roadmaps

But in essence he said that without a dream, people will go nowhere; without a roadmap, they will get lost in the many competing demands along the way; without everyone working together, there is no movement; without some sweat equity, God’s dream cannot be realized. The same could be said for us.

Helping the St. Petersburg church realize a dream strengthens us and encourages us to keep dreaming—being open to God’s possibilities—about our own future. When we imagine together with God what we can be and do to make the corner of the world entrusted to us a little more like heaven on earth, it can feel overwhelming. But with some time and sweat equity, a dream can come true.

Bishop Växby’s take on Acts 2 was that “your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” is not just poetic. Both the young and the old need to keep dreaming. Men and women together, old and young alike, are needed to see beyond what already is to what can yet be.

Minnesota United Methodists, you slowly caught the dream of what can be in St. Petersburg and made it reality. Your gift, purchased by your own sweat equity, has been treasured and multiplied with their gifts of time and skill. You made a great investment in them! In addition to their words of appreciation, I add mine: I was proud to be from Minnesota! You will forever be remembered by them as participants in their dream come true.

Keep dreaming, Minnesota United Methodist churches! Are you seeing the possibilities for reaching new people and cultivating spiritual vitality where you are, like Pastor Irina and Aspiration Church do in St. Petersburg? Young and old alike, new and long-time churches: keep dreaming about what God can do in and with you!

Dream on!

Bishop Sally Dyck

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