Background and Need Served:
In June 2005, 4 members of FUMC traveled to Estonia to learn about Methodism in this region of Europe and particularly what had been happening since the end of Soviet domination in the region. We visited the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary which opened in 1994 and was primarily funded by Methodists in the US and Korea. BMTS primarily serves Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and parts of Russia. Courses are simultaneously translated in 3 languages – Estonian, English, Russian. The overall need in the area is to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the people of this area who were seriously repressed in terms of religious freedom during the Soviet domination. In order to do this, pastors need to be trained, churches need to be planted, communities need to be served.
Since 1994, when the seminary opened its doors, there have been 9 graduation ceremonies. These graduates (about 100 to date) are now serving as pastors, prison chaplains, religous instructors in the public schools, youth workers, and military chaplains throughout the region. 24 Methodist churches have been planted throughout Estonia and one of the most active churches now has a weekday pre-school program that services about 150 children in the area. Much has happened since the first class graduated in 1999.
In June 2006, 10 members of FUMC traveled to Estonia on a work mission trip to the coast town of Paldiski where we helped renovate this very dilapidated basement church. We completely renovated their social hall/Sunday school room as well as preparing an office for the pastor, Boris Zujev. We painted the foundation of the apartment building that houses the church and landscaped the area around the church entrance. We provided a sign to replace the 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper that was posted on one of the church windows. After returning to the U.S., our church Leadership Council agreed to provide 3 years of salary support ($5000/year) to the pastor of the Paldiski church so that he would not have to continue to hold down a full-time job outside the church to support his family. FUMC is listed as a Connecting Congregation to Paldiski Methodist Church through World Evangelism.
In June 2007, 1 member of FUMC traveled to Estonia to participate in the 100th anniversary celebration of Methodism in Estonia. Methodism was introduced to Estonia in 1907 on the island of Saaremaa. A minimal structure was maintained during the Soviet occupation (1 meeting place in the capital Tallinn and one barn/garage used as a meeting place in the Estonian countryside.
Outreach Project Purpose:
The overall project purpose is for our congregation to help provide the resources to enable local Estonian people to spread the good news. The relationship with Estonia has several dimensions. There are opportunities to:
- Provide a scholarship to a seminary student for $1200/year. This could be something a Disciple class might want to do as a group.
- Participate on a work mission trip. Another work trip is planned in conjunction with Birmingham UMC and Swartz Creek UMC in June 2008.
- Continue as a Connecting Congregation by providing $5000/year in salary support to the Paldiski Church. Part of this involves getting to know members of the congregation through emails, letters, and pictures.
Nov/Dec 2007 Project Goals:
- Raise $2500 for the salary support payment due in January 2008
- Finalize mission trip plans/brochure for the trip in June 2008.
2008+ Project Goals:
- Raise $5000 for the July 2008 and January 2009 salary support payments
- Send at least 4 people from FUMC to Estonia on a work mission trip to Kunda, Estonia – another coast town.
- Identify one or more groups who may want to support a seminary student in BMTS.
Current Team Members:
- Mary Danforth
- Carolyn Hannum
- Debbie Bakker
- Rick Miller
Estimated Project Costs/Resources Required
(Activity and Funds Required)
Connecting Congregation: $5000/year
Work team: $2000/participant
Project Costs: $5000 max
Seminary scholarship: $1200/student sponsored
Proposed Source of Resources/Funds
(Activity, Goal, and Projected Timing)
Outreach Budget/fundraisers: $5000 - 1Q2008
Trip participants: $2000/part. - Feb 2008
District Missions Group: $1000 - ???
Detroit Conference VIM: $100/traveler - Feb 2008
Congregational Appeal: $5000 - 1Q2008
Volunteer Needs:
(Task, # Volunteers, When, and How Long)
Help with Silent Auction: 20 volunteers, Nov 3 and 4 for two hours each
Travel to Estonia: 4 volunteers, June 2008 for two weeks
Sponsor a student: 1 or more groups of volunteers, anytime, 1 year
Date Completed: October 31, 2007
By Mary Danforth ( m19danforth44@sbcglobal.net, 734-426-7910)
