Nr. 2 November 2014 "O give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever." We would like to begin our new report concerning Marx with these words. Yes, there is much reason to give thanks! During the past year decisive things have taken place on the Volga. And so we will report the following: As was reported in the last issue of the news, the new partnership agreement was signed between the Evangelical Lutheran Church - European Russia and the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg and Upper Lusatia in worship services held jointly with the deaneries of Saratov and the Lower Volga. Thus there is now a signed mutual agreement acting as a foundation for cooperation that has been taking place for the last 20 years. "The Evangelical Lutheran Church - European Russia (ELC-ER)" was the church of the German-speaking minority before World War II. Today it is a part of Russian society and numbers 170 congregations and fellowships. It is still the church of a small remnant. In light of these circumstances this official partnership will now be filled with life that will include: mutual exchanges of ideas, mutual praise of the Lord, regular prayers for one another, visits to each other, the organization of seminars for further education, and the commissioning of volunteers. The Berlin Mission Society, represented in this delegation by Dean von Kirbach, Mission Director Roland Herpich, Chairman of the Committee for the Volga Lars Haake and Consultant Wolfgang Iskraut who is reponsible for East Europe will be working to enact this partnership in its new form as an official agreement. (citation: from the Mission Paper Nr. 2 August 2014 of the Berlin Mission Society). On the basis of the agreement signed above a new agreement was signed concerning the partnership with Marx on the Volga. This took place in the working group/special committee that met in Potsdam. In order to discuss this agreement this year and to have it confirmed, the Evangelical Church of The Star invited Pastor Volodya Rodikov and Natalia and Svetlana, two delegates from the church council to come to Potsdam for a partnership visit. After extensive travel preparations, including difficult procedures for the application of visas, the group arrived in Potsdam on September 26, 2014. The first thing that was done was that the chairman of the working committee/special committee for Marx on the Volga, W. Gubatz and his wife drove the guests to the partner congregation "De Hoeksteen / The Cornerstone" in Schoonhoven in The Netherlands. The Church of The Star and the congregation in Schoohoven have been working together for Marx for over 20 years. This has led to lasting friendships between congregations and generous support for the brothers and sisters in Marx. During face to face meetings the problems that the congregation in Marx are dealing with were discussed and we looked for solutions for which we had input from both sides. After the festive worship service, the Dutch prepared a wonderful program for the guests. Their Russian friends were enraptured by the Dutch windmills, the open landscape with its canals and the imposing Maeslant gated closure (perhaps for sea water) and tasty Gouda cheese. Back in Potsdam on October 1st, the working committee/special committee for Marx had arranged for an extensive tour of Berlin and Potsdam which included the Parliament Building in Berlin with its domed rise, the Evangelical Cathedral of Berlin and a trip with a steamship on the Spree River. Seven church members from Potsdam together with the three Russian guests spent the "Day of German Reunfication" in Wittenberg walking in Martin Luther's footsteps. In Potsdam they were impressed by the walk through Sanssouci Park and a bus tour of the historic city centre. The day ended with a choir concert in the Schinkel Church in Caputh. On October 4th, the new agreement was signed in the presence of Lars Haake, the chairman of the Volga committee of the Berlin Mission Society, as well as Vicar U. Bischoff, counselor for East Europe for the Berlin Mission Society, F. Muhme, the chairman of the church council of the Evangelical Church of The Star, Andreas Markert, the pastor of the Evangelical Church of The Star, and the members of the working committee for Marx on the Volga. In the agreement the goal of partnership is described in this way: "Furthering the work the congregation in Marx, and specifically the pastoral and diaconal congregational work by means of advice and financial support for the expansion of congregational groups, for example the church council, a choir, groups for children, youth and seniors." Natalia reported in the report after she had returned home: "While in Germany and in The Netherlands the days passed by very rapidly. Everything was organized in an excellent manner. We found out that the members of the congregations are very deeply concerned about our congregation. We reported that to our church members. Svetlana gave a photographic presentation of our trip after a worship service. Many questions were asked and we were able to answer all of them. Our congregation sends its greetings and wishes you God's blessing." On October 12th we celebrated Harvest Thanksgiving in Marx. "The church and the altar were decorated with fruits of the harvest that are autumn's gifts. On that day we gave thanks to the Lord for the harvest from our gardens and fields. Pastor Rodikov held a festive family worship service." I am especially glad to to report that Bible studies have been re-initiated. Sinaida Sukotscheva told us that, with the help of God, she would be the study leader. Without even considering the cold in the church building, church members are attending the Bible studies eagerly and gladly. We put on two electric space heaters in the room so that it will be a bit warmer in the room where we meet. Breaking News: 1. A miracle has taken place. The restoration work on the church building in Marx is going full blast since August 14th. Firstly, the church tower will be rebuilt using the old architectural records and the facade will be restored. "The building of the church tower is progressing. It is going ahead in all kinds of weather. The construction crew consists of two shifts of workers. Our congregation is still praying for the construction of the church tower." (note Natalia's report in November, 2014)2. The description on the website is recommended viewing and is being updated on a regular basis by Svetlana. A lot of photos of the church tower have been posted as well as the video of our trip to Marx in September of 2013. Here is the site: http://lutherkirche-marks.ru Special Prayer Requests: - God's blessing for the practical application of the the new agreement- God's blessing for Pastor Rodikov and his co-workers- God's blessing and aid for the changes in the application of new responsibilities in the church council- blessed work for Sinaida in the new Bible study group- active participation in the Sunday school and God's blessing for it as well Trinity Evangelical Church in Marx is a partner congregation to The Evangelical Church of The Star in Potsdam Production of the Newsletter is under the direction of Helga Gubatz; Tel.: 030 805 11 96; Email: h.gubatz@t-online.deContact Address: Ev. Stern-Kirchengemeinde Potsdam, Arbeitskreis Marx/Wolga, Im Schaeferfeld 1, 14480 Potsdam, GermanyWerner Gubatz - Tel.: 030 805 1196; Email: werner.gubatz@t-online.de To support the partner congregation in Marx donations may be transferred to this account:Account: 779 202; BLZ: 210602 37; Bank: EDG KielFor non-specified donations: 2110.02.2210.1Donations for specific causes: 2110.02.2210.2 Photos are included in the original German version of this newsletter along with highlighted web connections. If you wish to receive this copy then please contact Helga Gubatz at: h.gubatz@t-online.de Translated by Horst Gutsche on November 20, 2014