Sonya—Growing up in the Church History of the Church in Yurga

The Siberian Lutheran Mission Society Sonya—Growing up in the church Board of Directors [email protected] The Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church is very young church. A little www.siberianlutheranmissions.com more than 20 years ago the first services in Novosibirsk took place. Some Rev. Daniel S. Johnson, of our congregations (like in Yurga) have longer histories, but not as a part President 2905 Cooper Lane of SELC. The big majority of our parishioners came to the church as adult Marshalltown, IA 50158 persons. So to say, most of us are “neophytes.” That is why it was 641/753-9565 Rev. David Mommens interesting to talk to a young woman, who grew up in the church, being a Vice President part of parish in Novosibirsk almost from the birth. Dcs. Kimberly Schave Secretary/Treasurer 1078 Hayward Circle Q: Introduce yourself, please. Milford, OH 45150 513/309-3268 A: My name is Sonya Kanygina, nee Lytkina. I was born in Novosibirsk in [email protected] 1989. My father is Vsevolod Lytkin. Now he is the bishop of our church. Mr. Robert Kiefer, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer My mom’s name is Daria. She is a professor at the university. 8811 St. Joe Road Ft. Wayne, IN 46835-1037 Q: When were you baptized? 260/438-1385 A: I was baptized when I was only eight months old. My parents were Rev. L. Daniel Johnson Rev. David Riley members of Estonian church then, as in Novosibirsk there was only a Rev. Frank Frye group of German Lutherans. So, my parents took me to Estonia to Rev. Michael Brockman Rev. Kent Peck baptize. Rev. Nicolas Huelsman Q: What are your first memories of the church? Rev. Philip Rittner II Rev. Michael R. Scudder Continued on page 4 Mrs. Judith Bascom Mr. William Boice Staff Rev. Nicholas Huelsman History of the church in Yurga Fund Developer 641/325-1234 [email protected] Mrs. Valerie Kister My name is Nina Yantsen. I was born in the Zaporozhie region, in newsletter editor [email protected] the town of Tokmak in 1938. My parents’ names are Emil and Ida. Besides me, they had six children. I was baptized in hometown when Contributions may be sent to: I was about three. I remember how my parents hold my hands in SLMS church. However, I do not remember much about that time. My mom Ascension Lutheran Church and dad taught me to pray since I was very small. I do not remember 8811 St. Joe Road Ft. Wayne, IN 46835-1037 any single day when I went to bed without praying. When German troops occupied Zaporozhie, we were moved first to Poland and then to Germany. There I went to a school, but now I The newsletter for the Siberian do not remember anything about it. In 1945, when the Soviet Army Lutheran Mission Society is edited by Mrs. Valerie Kister came, we were sent to Siberia, to this town, Yurga. In the beginning, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church we lived in “zemlyanka,” or dugout. Despite of this, we never lived too 3197 141st Ave Bellingham, MN 56212 poorly, because we always worked hard. Our family had a cow and 605/949-1365 some pigs. In the vegetable garden, we grew potatoes. We could [email protected] even help our neighbors by giving them milk and potatoes. At the same time, they were stealing from us. Finally, their mother stole a goat and was sentenced. We thank Redeemer Lutheran Church - Marshalltown, IA The Lutheran congregation was formed here in Yurga soon after for financial assistance and to Mrs. Continued on page 3 Linda Smith and Mrs. Karen Frohwein for clerical assistance in the printing of this newsletter. THE SIBERIAN LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY, vol. 12.1, May 2013 page 1 Camps in Khakassia teaches Scripture, character Editor’s note: The following is reprinted from the Each group was carrying package with the last Faith and Hope newsletter. survived book on the Earth, the Bible. The goal was to bring it into the last bastion of civilization, the The traditional summer camp took place in Library. Along the way, the groups met ‘enemies’ Khakassia in July 2012. For the past 15 years (that role was successfully played by the instructors Pastor Pavel Zayakin has organized them for kids and other adults), fought with them in fights, losing from 4 to 17 years old. About 1,000 children have tokens of ‘life’ issued to them. They also rescued attended them during these years. The goal is ‘civilians,’ thus earning tokens. always to introduce children to the Bible through “In the evening, gathered around campfire, kids studies, informal talks around the campfire, and were studying the passage from Hebrews 4, games. The latter element is very important, as focusing on the topic of God’s Law. they are not just simple games, but a long role “In the end, all four groups managed to get to game continuing for a couple days. To go through the final point and to save the world, even without all the tests and obstacles of the game, children Bruce Willis! need to get prepared during several previous days. “Leaders of the four groups of children, called They learn basic camp skills as making campfire, ‘masters,’ have passed the final test and carried the preparing food, first aid, orienteering, rafting, and Bible in the Library. so on. “The last day was a day of rest and summing Thus, camps become “character school.” Kids up. The final talk was based on 1 Cor.1:18. The word understand the value of teamwork, of friendship. of Cross of Christ is the only way to our salvation. They see their Christian leaders in tough We closed the camp with ‘flying lanterns’ and songs situations, in hard work. Therefore, the words of around the campfire. Bible classes “become flesh” in real life. “We hope that the lessons of the Scripture and Pastor Zayakin reports, “With God's help, we of the good that children and youth received in the have held our summer Christian camp ‘2012. camp, will be the first step for someone to faith and Mission: Possible.’ It wouldn’t be possible without church, for others – the next stage of their prayers and gracious donations from our friends. development as Christians. Approximately, half of “Instead of the expected 80 participants, we the participants of the camp were our parishioners, were able to take 110 people this year. That the other half – unchurched people.” includes more than 80 children ages 4 to 17. “The camp was based on the self-service scout model. Thus, except for the youngest group and the administration, the participants themselves prepared their own food, organized the camp watch and the evening campfire, etc. “Every day, Bible classes on the passage of Ephesians 6:10-18 were held. These verses were cornerstone of the final game-hike. “In addition to Bible studies, kids and youth chose one out of four workshops to be trained at, namely ‘warriors’ (learning self-defense), ‘healers’ (first medicine aid), ‘rafts men’ (the ability to operate a catamaran on a river), and ‘rangers’ (orientation with the compass and map, making fire, cipher skills). “On July 26 and 27, the older kids went on a hike. Only the group of the youngest stayed at our venue. They had their own program. The goal of Children are introduced to the Bible through the trip was to pass 20 miles through the taiga, to studies and games at the summer camp in Khakassia each year. find the attributes of a warrior: helmet, belt, etc. THE SIBERIAN LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY, vol. 12.1, May 2013 page 2 KGB were coming to the services. They were Nina and the church at Yurga looking for the possibility to close the church. A Baptist pastor was even imprisoned for 10 years. In our congregation we had no ordained pastors, only “elder brothers.” The first one of them was accused of treason and imprisoned. Nevertheless, such pressure was only from the side of the state. In everyday life, we did not feel anything like this. There were many Germans around us — our colleagues, our neighbors were Germans deported from the European part of Russia. Thus, majority of us went to church or were sympathetic to the Lutheran faith. Especially older people were loyal “goers.” Today we see something similar. My son knows all the prayers, I taught him from his childhood. He watches religious programs on TV, produced by Russian Orthodox Church. He Nina Yantsen, pictured on the far left, is shown with knows the Bible. Nevertheless, when I call him to Bishop Vsevolod Lytkin (center left, back row) and come to the liturgy, he laughs. He says that only old other members of the church at Yurga. women attend services, and he feels uncomfortable continued from page 1 to be alone among “grandmothers.” In the end of the 1990s, many people moved to the war. There were many Germans sent here from the Germany. However, I think it was not good for them. European part of the Soviet Union. More than 60 In Germany, they found out that not so many people were attending services. The choir was great! churches are true to the Word. Maybe it is a reason For some time we gathered at private houses; later the why they all became ill. congregation has bought a house. It could not be an At that time we were gathering at the official church building, so it looked like a normal house. apartment, as just a few of us left.

Load more