Russia

The support FELM provides to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia is broad and is focused in the following areas:

• Training, congregational work, diakonia, family support
• Mission
• Youth and Media work
• Governing Council of the Church

FELM staff participate in almost all the work undertaken by the Church of Ingria in St. Petersburg, Central Russia and Carelia.

Ministry and Congregational work

There is considerable interest in religion in Russia. The membership of many of the congregations of the Church of Ingria is growing. More and more young people are participating in the activities of the Church, while at the same time members are migrating to Finland from the old staunch congregations of Ingria.

After the Church became independent in 1992, the number of congregations increased so rapidly that the Church was unable to provide adequate resources for all the financial needs and the activities of the Church. The Church has become strict on the procedures for registering new congregations and has focused on strengthening the activities and the mission of existing congregations. Despite this, between one and three new congregations are formed annually.

The Church has a chronic need for qualified workers and funds. FELM particularly supports the training and capacity building of Church workers and the efforts to make the Church self-sustaining.

The theological institute of the Church of Ingria, in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, trains all church workers.

• Pastors and deacons
• Youth workers
• Church musicians
• Sunday school organizers
• Staff engaged in diakonia

Volunteer Church workers in Central Russia can benefit from the distance learning programme that provides training in the basic principles of Christianity and congregational work.

In St. Petersburg, Mari El, Komi and White Sea Carelia disadvantaged congregations are supported through the provision of staff salaries and covering the cost of activities and new buildings.

Community Support and Capacity Building

The Church of Ingria is actively engaged in social work and diakonia. The Church manages three nursing homes, one of which is located in Keltto and supported by FELM.

In St. Petersburg, The Church of Ingria and FELM have jointly started a project supporting children in children’s homes through child sponsorship. Premises have been hired for these children and young people to come to during weekends to learn life skills to enable them to lead independent lives and avoid being further marginalized.

Child sponsorship has also commenced this year in the small congregation in the area of the Carelian isthmus.