EVENTS

During the month of October, Pastor Matthew will be preaching a sermon series on LESSONS FROM UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE. The series will focus on giving, sharing and receiving. In preparation for the stewardship drive and pledges for 2012, the serie is meant to assist the congregation to prayerfully consider what they may give, share and receive to help nurture faith in Jesus Christ, confront injustice and welcome all people now and in the coming year.

HOST A HOUSE GATHERING

During the months of October, November and December, Pastor Matthew will be visiting church members around the city. Members are invited to host small gatherings in their homes. Hosts will welcome people into their homes and others will be encouraged to bring refreshments. Sign up after church to host a gathering.

WELCOME TO MPC OPEN HOUSE

On October 7, from 16:30 to 19:00 at the parsonage. Heavy hors' douvres and drinks will be served. All those who have joined MPC in the last six months are invited to attend. Learn more about MPC and meet several church leaders. The parsonage is located on Lomonosovsky prospect near Moscow state University and ample street parking is available on the weekends. For detailed directions, email MPC church administrator Ursula Rice at uarice@gmail.com. RSVPs not required but appreciated.

GALA RAFFLE AND AUCTION ITEMS

The MPC Harvest ball will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Moscow on 12 November 2011. Last year, the gala was a huge success thanks to the generous donations of both our corporate sponsors and our congregation members. We were able to raise nearly $70,000 for our outreach programs! We would be delighted if you would consider partnering with us again by donating raffle and auction items you may currently have or will collect between now and 12 November. For more information, please contact Lindsey Snow, mpcdevelopmentdirector@gmail.com

HARVEST BALL

MPC Social Services invites you to her annual ball

Date: Saturday, 12th of November

Time: 6:30pm

Address: Ritz Carlton, Tverskaya 3, second floor ballroom Moscow.

ONE TICKET: 6000 Roubles

Cocktail attire

Champagne reception precedes a three-course meal and there will be live and silent auctions, music, dancing and more...

All proceeds benefit MPC social services' charitable programs.

For tickets and more information, please contact Lindsey Snow on 89067053619 or write to MPCDevelopmentDirector@gmail.com

To the saints in Moscow:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We live in a world of God’s abundance. We are reminded in the Scriptures that God’s love and forgiveness are free and bountiful. Everywhere we turn we encounter God’s grace. God’s mercy and forgiveness are never in short supply. Our congregation is also part of God’s abundant world. We have a faith to reach people for Christ, a daring vision for change in Moscow, many financial resources, numerous people with countless skills and volunteer hours, and various other resources. The International Women’s Club, the German Embassy, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Linklaters Law Firm have active grants that support MPC’s social ministries; many other organizations regularly consider and award grants as well. MPC’s five supporting denominations—The United Methodist Church, the American Baptist Churches, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Reformed Church in America, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America—pay the chaplain’s salary, pension, and medical insurance. Additionally, The United Methodist Church currently provides nearly US$20,000 a year for the chaplain’s language study, visa expenses and travel, furniture, and yearly personal leave. As a community we live in and are a part of God’s abundant world.

This year we increased our operating budget by 17%. The Church Council has always strived to make decisions based our expected congregational support, grants received, and outside giving. Our monthly budgeted expenses are $42,000 (which includes all our rents, social ministries, payroll, etc.) with 75% of the budget dedicated to our social ministries. Entering the fiscal year with a $70,000 surplus, we were able to continue all of our programs through the summer at full strength. We have not exceeded our budget (year-to-date). However, our expenses have exceeded our income several months; this summer our expenses unexpectedly out-paced our income 3 to 1 (total expenses for June through August were $120,000, total income for same period was $40,000). For a snapshot of our regular expenses, please review the attached document.

Our revenue forecasting tools led us to believe that, due to the usual return of church members from summer vacations and the arrival of new members, we would experience a substantial increase in congregational giving in late August and early September. So far we have not seen this expected increase. With our reserve funds depleted from our summer expenses, we entered September with enough funds for half of our monthly budgeted expenses. Since our income levels have remained relatively unchanged, we find ourselves in a difficult place at present. We are concerned that we will have not enough cash on hand to cover all our expenses. As a result, we have had to make temporary suspensions and reductions to our social ministries.

At our core our congregation is strong and vital. As always God is at work in and through the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy even in the midst of our present financial situation. We gather every week for vital worship, conduct numerous (and growing) Bible studies around the city, welcome new children and youth into Sunday School and youth group, and encourage Christian fellowship. MPC is and will always be a place for all people to worship God, explore faith, and grow in Christ. There is no doubt that our core ministries of worship, Christian nurture, and discipleship will continue as strong, robust, and vital ministries.

Even with the temporary reductions we continue to serve hot meals to Russian pensioners, provide food for refugees and other marginalized people, confront racism and violence, and offer healing in the city. The temporary suspensions do not speak to the quality of our ministries but to the financial realities of our congregation.

We take this opportunity for self-reflection and discernment as we focus on nurturing faith in Jesus Christ, confronting injustice, and welcoming all people. The Church Council continues to discuss and act on our long-term goals and commitments. Together we will discern God’s will for us in the present and the future, knowing that we are called to be a Christ’s body in this world.

What do you want us to do? Our faith teaches us to begin all things in prayer. The first thing we do in any situation is to go to God in prayer for thanksgiving, wisdom, and guidance. We thank God for all that we have and all that we have been able to do. We seek God’s guidance and wisdom in dealing with our current financial situation and future endeavors. So we must pray.

We also know that our faith does not end in prayer. Action must accompany our prayers. At this critical juncture, we are asking all in the MPC congregation to increase their giving to help alleviate our current situation. We ask that you increase financial giving to the congregation if you are able. If you have not thought about giving to MPC, we ask that you seriously consider giving money to support our ministries. You can also give more volunteer hours to the church, donate professional skills and resources, in cooperation with our development director lend your contacts to foundations and corporations, and volunteer to serve on a church committee. We must increase our giving through our presence, gifts, and service.

Why do we give? We know that financial giving is an act of worship in which we thank God for our blessings and acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God. The Bible teaches us to give a tithe or the first ten percent of what we earn to God and God’s work. For some, the giving of the tenth is a goal you are growing toward each year. For others, it is the starting point, and you will give far in excess of this. We also know that life circumstances also give rise to some inability to give money. Don’t let your inability to give at this time keep you from participating and serving in church. Remember that God honors your faithfulness and that your acceptance is not based upon your capacity to give.

When we return a portion of our financial blessings to God through our tithes and offerings, we invest in God's vision and mission, and we create an opportunity for God to work through us and through our church.

How can we give financial gifts? Every Sunday you can give U.S. dollars, Euros, and Russian rubles during our worship offering. You can also write a check from a U.S. account in dollars. To write a tax-deductible check for U.S. tax purposes, please make it out to “Presbyterian Church (USA).” Otherwise, please make out your check to “Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy.” Your donations to MPC will be credited to our accounts. You can also donate online with your credit/debit card and your U.S. bank account. To give online, please visit the following link: http://www.pcusa.org/give/online/projectSelectAction.do?numberString=E047943

How can we give other gifts? After Sunday worship for the next few weeks, you will be able to talk with church leaders and staff about our ministries. You can sign-up to be volunteer, serve on a committee, donate a skill or professional service, or offer yourself to the church.

Take time in the next few days to consider what God is calling you to do, how you might increase your giving, and what you have to offer Christ and the community.

We look forward to worshipping with you soon.

Your servants in Christ,

Rick Witt

Church Council President

Several of MPC's most important minsitries involce distribution of food to the hungry. We badly need a dedicated, secure room to store non-perishable food items. Ideally it would have good in-out street level access. If you know of an appropraite space that we could potentially rent please contant MPC staff.

3^RD ANNUAL MPC REUNION: This year alumni and friends of MPC will be gathering again in Strasburg, PA from September 17-18. Bob Bronkema will be hosting the group in his new digs, First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg. Matthew Laferty will be coming to share about the current state of MPC as well as the vision that the church has for the future. Housing in families can be provided. We will be touring a working Amish farm that first Saturday morning for anyone who is interested. Strasburg is less than 2 hours away from Washington DC, about an hour from Philadelphia, and a few hours away from NYC, and a simple plane trip from Houston and Oklahoma. Please come and take part in this wonderful time of reunion. Pastor Bob guarantees that we will be singing Amen, Siyakadumisa for the sending hymn! Please RSVP to Pastor Bob at bbronkema@gmail.com.

INTERESTED IN THE RACIAL TASK FORCE? The Racial Task Force is looking for new members to assist in this important ministry. The Racial Task Force is engaged in reporting racial violence, advocacy, and racism education. For more information about the RTF, please contact Pastor Matthew at mpchaplaincy@gmail.com.

NEW MEN’S BIBLE STUDY TO START IN LATE SEPTEMBER—A new men’s bible study will be forming in late September. The group will meet on Wednesday morning near the Arbatskaya metro station before the workday begins. For questions about or interest in the study, contact Pastor Matthew at mpchaplaincy@gmail.com.

September 4—Ezekiel 33:7-11; Psalm 119:33-40; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20

CITY CENTER COUPLES’ BIBLE STUDY FORMING—A new couples’ Bible study group is now forming. The group will be meeting in the Moscow city center area. If you are interested in hosting the group in the city center (you do not have to lead the group to host) or participating in the group, please contact Pastor Matthew at mpchaplaincy@gmail.com.

THANK YOU to all the summer Sunday School teachers and leaders. Our summer children’s Christian education program was a success! A special thanks to Julie Stanley Corinne Giesemann, Tim Stuft, Tim Leveridge, and Steve Hood.

WELCOME TO KAROLINE WAACK! Karoline is a university student from Germany, serving as an intern with our social ministries. Karoline will be working with clients in the Kuznetsky Most soup kitchen and assisting with the refugee survey report.

The Universitet Soup Kitchen remains closed. All clients are being served at the Kuznetsky Most Soup kitchen.

GALA RAFFLE AND AUCTION ITEMS—The MPC Harvest Ball will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Moscow on 12 November 2011. Last year, the gala was a huge success thanks to the generous donations of both our corporate sponsors and our congregation members. We were able to raise nearly $70,000 for our outreach programs! We would be delighted if you would consider partnering with us again by donating raffle and auction items you may currently have or will collect between now and 12 November. For more information, please contact Lindsey Snow, mpcdevelopmentdirector@gmail.com.

Moving and have items that you are not taking with you? Donate them to MPC! MPC will take gently used clothing, small appliances, furniture and just about anything. E-mail mpchaplaincy@gmail.com with your queries.

MPC social services relies on the generous support of individual donors. There is huge demand for our refugee service. We would like to reach out to more refugee children who urgently need our help.

For more information on ways to get involved, please contact Elizabeth Owen at mpcdevelopmentdirector@gmail.com. Thank you!

We have a nursery that can be used during the service for families with small children. The children are absolutely welcome to stay in church but the nursery is always available.

If you have a prayer request, speak with the chaplain or send it to mpcprayer@gmail.com.

Are you looking for a way to get involved in MPC's social ministries? Do you have your own car or have a driver? Yes! - well this opportunity could be for you! MPC is loooking for 2 reliable volunteers to take over the regular duties of the Tuesday and Thursday metro runs. This involves driving to the Metro Cash and Carry to collect donated food and transporting it to MPC's soup kitchen. Once you are there, you'll be able to volunteer by serving meals to our pensioners at our Universitet soup kitchen on Thursdays or distributing food to the single mothers and refugees at our Kuznetsky Most soup kitchen on Tuesdays. If you're interested please contact Alyssha Allan (mpc.foodbank@gmail.com) or Daniel Ekat (ekatd@yahoo.com).

CHILDREN’S SUMMER PARTY—On Wednesday, 22 June, MPC Social Services organised a Children's Summer Party for nearly 150 of Moscow's most deprived children. Over 30 volunteers from Linklaters, the Ritz-Carlton, Move One Relocation, the International Women's Club and the American Women's Organisation came together with MPC Social Services and made the party a resounding success.

With their help, children from refugee and low-income families were able to forget their troubles for a few hours while they played games, had their faces painted, made party hats and laughed at the amusement of 3 clowns. The children enjoyed rare treats of sweets and ice-cream and in the tradition of childrens' birthday parties, they were given party bags filled with toys and chocolates to take home with them. Not only did the children have heaps of fun, but we also helped their entire family by giving them very useful food items and hygiene products.

In the last 4 weeks, MPC staff and members of the congregation had been busy gathering food and personal items to hand out to the children. Linklaters, the Ritz-Carlton, Ferrero, Colgate-Palmolive, Coca-Cola and Accueil all made generous gift in-kind donations to the party.

Thank you to everyone at MPC who made the party such a success! A special thanks to MPC staffers Alyssha Allan and Elizabeth Owen for their hard work in organizing the party.

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