NWHUMC is blessed to have a visit from Pastor Vera Agapova scheduled for Sunday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. She will be in Texas for Annual Conference and we are one of the churches chosen to have time with her due to our support of the Russia Initiative of the Southwest Texas Conference. Pastor Vera, along with her son and translator, Kostya, will tell us of her ministry at Good News UMC and how she came to be a Methodist minister. She will tell us of the exciting growth of her church, in particular the work being done with children including orphans and foster kids. Her story of faith and ministry is truly inspiring and we are very fortunate to have her with us. We will gather in the FLC Activity Center at 7:00 p.m. this Sunday, June 8, for desserts and inspiration from Pastor Vera.

United Methodists from the Southwest Texas Conference first visited Vologda in 1992 following an invitation from the Vologda Peace Foundation to do humanitarian aid. One of the first people met were a couple, Evgeny and Vera Agapov. Evgeny was an English professor at the University and Vera taught Russian literature in the high school. As friendships developed, Evgeny expressed the call to start and pastor a Methodist church and was made a local pastor. Unfortunately he was killed in a car accident, leaving the new church without leadership. However, Vera felt called to step up and she will share with us this story and how it has led to the church in Vologda today.