After years of patience and perserverance, Saratov UMC is going to have a new home. Our Russian sister church has finally closed the deal on a new piece of property, the site of their new church home. Construction has begun and the church will move its operations to the new site in April 2008. This project has been years in the making and is a tribute to Rev. Tatyana Molodyk's vision and tenacity. In a society that restricts leadership roles for women, a religious atmosphere that discourages all but the Russian Orthodox Church, and an overwhelmingly complicated system of land-ownership, a hold-over from the Soviet state, Tatyana has turned a small church building that her congregation had out-grown into a money-making landswap with local developers.

HPUMC Global Outreach is committed to helping Saratov UMC raise the funds for the finish-out of their new church home. The new building will be the first new construction of a Protestant church ever in Saratov. As such, our sister church has called upon HPUMC to help design the worship space, so that it will be consistent with traditional Methodist architecture. Dallas-based architect and HPUMC member, Martti Benson, is assisting with the design of the church's interiors. HPUMC members and long-time volunteers in the Russia Initiative David Griggs & Mike Jackson will be heading up the fundraising.

In a recent visit to HPUMC, Rev. Molodyk described the new building as a miracle; at so many points the goal of a new church home seemed impossible. Her faith in God's providence and her resolve to put her community and ministry first sustained her during the process. Rev. Molodyk's grit and determination has made her a rather inflential leader in the Russia Initiative and sets up Saratov UMC as a shining example of what two faith communities can accomplish regardless of the distance between them. 

The History

After the fall of the Berlin Wall signaled the collapse of the Soviet Union, HPUMC responded to the United Methodist Church's request to participate in its new Russia Initiative. In the years following, HPUMC clergy and laity established friendships with many in the community of Saratov, Russia, a city about the same size as Dallas. Through these burgeoning relationships and the financial gifts of parishioners, HPUMC cooperated in the establishment of Saratov UMC in 1996 under the leadership of Rev. Tatyana Molodyk.

Tatyana has nurtured the growing community and is committed to mission and ministry, a very delicate task in an environment accustomed to an atheistic political system and an established Russian Orthodox Church. Saratov UMC is committed to mission and works with a local orphanage, has been instrumental in the first Twleve Step program in the community and has begun a prison ministry.

Through the efforts of HPUMC parishioners, Saratov is now recognized as one of Dallas' sister cities. This off-shoot of HPUMC's Russian Initiative engages in the exchange of culture, education, health, and business.

HPUMC is currently planning a trip to continue support of Tatyana and Saratov UMC for Summer 2008. Details of that trip are forthcoming.

For more info, contact Rev. Barbara Marcum at marcumb@hpumc.org or 214.523.2248 or David Griggs at 214.244.5979