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Youth Mission/PilgrimageTrips: To Russia With Love
 Since 1999 Episcopal and Orthodox youth from throughout southern Ohio have traveled to Russia with MVERN on five life-changing trips - pilgrimages with a mission. After exploring Russian history and culture in St. Petersburg, the youth and their chaperones spent time in Sablino, Russia, the site of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, MVERN’s partner parish. Here they joined their Russian peers in work projects, including landscaping, building fences, and other endeavors. In 1999 they literally dug the foundation for the expanded sanctuary of St. Nicholas Church and in 2001 built a processional path around the church. In addition, the 2008 group helped lead a summer day camp at the newly renovated Sablino Youth Center, mentoring younger students and building relationships through music, art, sports, English language tutoring and more.  The first four trips were led by the Rev. Paul St. Germain and the June 2008 was led by the Rev. David Halt. The next Youth Mission trip is scheduled for June 2011. Trips such as these bring youth in contact with the core values of a Christian life. Their faith is increased, their horizons are expanded, and they return home excited about being involved in the ministries of their church. They also are reminded that they are richly blessed in our nation - and called to be good stewards of all they have been given. - important messages - especially in times such as those in which we live. The Rev. Paul St. Germain Photo Gallery Sites:To Russia with Love (1999 and 2001) To Russia with Love (2003) To Russia with Love (2005) To Russia with Love (2008) More about the Youth Trips: The Rev. Paul St. Germain's Sermon about the Youth Trips The Rev. Dave Halt's Article in Interchange (page 11) |