Eric Folkerth in the Dallas Morning News
Story about the United Methodist Church in
Saratov, Russia
Find the story here.
Finding a family in Saratov
Dallas relationship grew from church's mission trips to Russia
10:56 PM CDT on Friday, July 14, 2006
By TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News
SARATOV, Russia – Each Sunday, the Rev. Tatyana Molodyk's living room converts into the sanctuary of Saratov United Methodist Church.
With no sign or cross, no glorious blue onion dome like the big Orthodox church in town, it's impossible to pick out this house from others along the seen-better-days street. Even the corner vegetable vendor wasn't sure where it was.
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Todd Gillman visits services at the Saratov United Methodist Church
In Russian city, democracy seen as game of endurance
But inside, fewer than a dozen worshippers serve up enthusiastic hymns and an easy fellowship over tea and cakes in the next room – where an iron Texas star hangs in a place of honor.
None of this existed when members of Highland Park United Methodist Church began to visit Saratov in 1993. After communism fell, Russia welcomed missionaries from churches that operated there before the revolution. Church officials assigned Russian cities to various U.S. churches.
"It's just the coldest cold you can imagine," laughed the Rev. Eric Folkerth, now pastor at Northhaven United Methodist Church, who led the first Dallas group to Saratov and made eight more trips, including one in winter.
But climate aside, the cities made a good pairing, he said. "Moscow is like New York. ... The people are grumpier and big-city-like, and in Saratov everybody is just so friendly."
Early visits focused on orphans, schools and humanitarian aid. Three years ago, the ties deepened. A formal sister-city relationship was signed. Dallas city officials began to join delegations, though volunteers from the church – including David Griggs, a Dallas lawyer who leads the sister-city committee – remain as pillars in the effort.
"We see the same people every year, and we're like family," said Mr. Griggs, who returns in two weeks with the annual Dallas delegation for his 15th visit, all funded at personal expense. "They are a progressive city, and they want to be on the map."
With church membership below 50, Ms. Molodyk has yet to perform a wedding. But she expects growth after the group can build a more traditional house of worship.
"It's hard to build a church," she said.
Likewise, it's a challenge to build a sister-city relationship. Dallas has six, but the Saratov exchange is by far the most active, said the Dallas World Affairs Council's Casey Ballard, who coordinates the efforts.
University students and professors in each city have participated in exchanges. Dallas doctors have helped Russian colleagues with hospice care, equipment and education on addiction counseling. For next winter's 11th annual Russian festival in Dallas, Saratov plans to send acrobats and jugglers from a local children's circus.
Saratov officials hope for more tangible benefits, too.
"We love each other," said Liudmila Chechina, who runs Saratov's sister-city program. "But when will your businessmen visit Saratov?"
E-mail tgillman@dallasnews.com
Finding a family in Saratov
Dallas relationship grew from church's mission trips to Russia
10:56 PM CDT on Friday, July 14, 2006
By TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News
SARATOV, Russia – Each Sunday, the Rev. Tatyana Molodyk's living room converts into the sanctuary of Saratov United Methodist Church.
With no sign or cross, no glorious blue onion dome like the big Orthodox church in town, it's impossible to pick out this house from others along the seen-better-days street. Even the corner vegetable vendor wasn't sure where it was.
Also Online
Todd Gillman visits services at the Saratov United Methodist Church
In Russian city, democracy seen as game of endurance
But inside, fewer than a dozen worshippers serve up enthusiastic hymns and an easy fellowship over tea and cakes in the next room – where an iron Texas star hangs in a place of honor.
None of this existed when members of Highland Park United Methodist Church began to visit Saratov in 1993. After communism fell, Russia welcomed missionaries from churches that operated there before the revolution. Church officials assigned Russian cities to various U.S. churches.
"It's just the coldest cold you can imagine," laughed the Rev. Eric Folkerth, now pastor at Northhaven United Methodist Church, who led the first Dallas group to Saratov and made eight more trips, including one in winter.
But climate aside, the cities made a good pairing, he said. "Moscow is like New York. ... The people are grumpier and big-city-like, and in Saratov everybody is just so friendly."
Early visits focused on orphans, schools and humanitarian aid. Three years ago, the ties deepened. A formal sister-city relationship was signed. Dallas city officials began to join delegations, though volunteers from the church – including David Griggs, a Dallas lawyer who leads the sister-city committee – remain as pillars in the effort.
"We see the same people every year, and we're like family," said Mr. Griggs, who returns in two weeks with the annual Dallas delegation for his 15th visit, all funded at personal expense. "They are a progressive city, and they want to be on the map."
With church membership below 50, Ms. Molodyk has yet to perform a wedding. But she expects growth after the group can build a more traditional house of worship.
"It's hard to build a church," she said.
Likewise, it's a challenge to build a sister-city relationship. Dallas has six, but the Saratov exchange is by far the most active, said the Dallas World Affairs Council's Casey Ballard, who coordinates the efforts.
University students and professors in each city have participated in exchanges. Dallas doctors have helped Russian colleagues with hospice care, equipment and education on addiction counseling. For next winter's 11th annual Russian festival in Dallas, Saratov plans to send acrobats and jugglers from a local children's circus.
Saratov officials hope for more tangible benefits, too.
"We love each other," said Liudmila Chechina, who runs Saratov's sister-city program. "But when will your businessmen visit Saratov?"
E-mail tgillman@dallasnews.com
Posted: Saturday - July 15, 2006 at 01:47 PM |
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