The Oak Ridge First United Methodist Church
and
The Youth of the Belkino Russian Orthodox Church
Connection

Greetings from Obninsk and Belkino.

This summer is over and the new school year has begun. Last Sunday there were 35 young people at the Sunday youth meeting (two weeks before - 12).

Although only about 10 people came each Sunday they could do a lot of interesting and important things.

First of all – Christian Summer Camp. August 6 – 15.
Participants 6 people from youth group constantly and 15 – 20 coming in the evening
From Nedel’noye – about 50
Date – August, 6 –15
Expenses - $35 for meal
$10 for transportation to Nedel’noye
in-kind $40

It was located in the Church house nearby the Temple. 6 boys and girls lived there during 10 days and about 15 joined them every evening. During these ten days youth had Bible study, seminars on different theological problem, also they painted the fence around the Church and built a wood church house for guests.

Bible Study	Julia and Helen are painting fence
Painting fence	Maxim and Paul are building house

The last two days our youth group spent in Nedel’noye. This is village about 25 km to the West from Obninsk. We have a very good friend there. He is a priest in the restored church. Father Victor tried to get young people of this village to take part in the Church life and he asked our youth to help him. So one day, August, 14 our young group went to Nedel’noye. They played with children, told them and teenagers about their life, song for them and with them. In the evening many children and teenagers came to the Church and all of them prayed together. Probably, it was the first prayer in their life! Look at their faces.

The Common prayer

These ten days were very important. Young people had their first experience of self-depended organization of their life together. They learned to be tolerant, they knew a lot about each other. They had some problems but they could overcome them.

In August,25 there were a very important event in Nedel’noye – opening and consecration a restored church. It was reconstructed by "Gasprom" – one of the biggest company in Russia – for quite a short period of time. Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexey II came there for consecration. A lot of people came from Kaluga, Obninsk, Maloyaroslavets, Moscow, etc. We were there too and could take some pictures.

Reconstructed church in Nedel’noye.	Father Victor, the senior priest of Nedel'noye Church.
Patrirch Alexey II Victor.

By the end of summer other guys returned to Obninsk and we all together were preparing a big celebration for students. It was September, 2

Celebration devoted to Beginning a New School Year in the Belkino Church.
Participants 35 from youth group and about 100 children, teenagers and parents from the city
Date – September, 2
Expenses $70 for meal, gifts and decoration
In-kind – time for preparation and organization of the Festival

Each September the members of our parish organize a special Festival devoted to beginning of the School Year. Such Festival took place this year as well.

After Liturgy a lot of children and teenagers as well as teachers gathered together and song special prayers. Then children went to our church house, where they played, watched movies, sang Christian songs. Also they have very interesting outdoors activities including riding horses. Young people prepared a small performance for children and parents.

Thanksgiving service in Belkino church	Youth coming to the Celebration
Competition - who can put on more?	Competition – who is faster?

In the evening there were special prayers for teenagers. After that we had a small picnic and sang songs sitting around a fire.

Evening songs near a fire

In this day we have acquired many new friends. We also hope that this meeting will help to come to the Church and meet Christ in their life.

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