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In 2003, members of First Presbyterian became interested in the Russia twinning program sponsored by the Presbyterian Church USA. The program matches individual church congregations in the United States with churches in the former Soviet Union. Its aim is to link together a Russian congregation with a US congregation in a journey led by the Holy Spirit. Along the way, people and congregations are transformed. Along the way, all gain a deeper understanding of the church universal and the Body of Christ lived out in the world.
By 2004, we had been partnered with The Joy of All Who Are Heavy Laden Russian Orthodox Church (The Laden Church) in Klin, Russia. (Klin is about two hours outside of Moscow.)
This is very exciting for our church family! We immediately went about introducing ourselves to our newly found brothers and sisters, and they us. Emails, scrapbooks, pictures and music have been exchanged. Most importantly, so have prayers. Gary Payton, who heads this program for the PCUSA, has visited the church, Father Boris, Father Alexander and Father Alexander twice.
In August, a small group from our congregation will visit our new family in Klin. We are busy trying to learn more about Russian Orthodoxy, Russian history and a little Russian language before we go.
- Donna Parrish
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