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WASHINGTON - When Bishop Hans Vaxby of the Eurasian Area preached at Metropolitan Memorial UMC May 6, the Rev. Sandy Rector presented him a sizeable check in support of the Russian United Methodist Seminary. The money came from phase II of the church?s capital campaign, of which 10 percent of monies raised is given to support missions around the world.

The seminary 'is a strategic piece of the Russian Initiative,' the bishop said.

Born in Finland, Bishop Vaxby became bishop of the four countries of the Eurasia Area - Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova - in 2005. Russia has 5,000 to 7,000 members in about 100 churches, which span 11 time zones.

He had spent part of the day before at Faith UMC in Rockville, a sponsoring church, with the Rev. Charles Harrell and others discussing possible VIM trips.

For information about the Russia Initiative, contact Jim Athearn at (540) 662-2066 or