I was a bit worried as I embarked on my journey to the most distant of the deaneries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Urals, Siberia, and Far East for their annual summer seminar. There were good reasons for my feelings of unease.

I have attended these seminars in the past, and I know from experience that there is always at least a bit of turbulence. The seminar is difficult from an organizational point of view – there is the issue of the site (retreat center) and of transport there, of getting everything and everyone (including the 30+ participants from 9 congregations and guests from Germany and the U.S.) together, of paying for it all... Besides that, the people who attend the seminar are from various age groups and represent varying degrees of engagement with congregational life. Finally these yearly meetings are for some a great chance to see old friends, while for others they stir up more conflicting emotions.

Pastor and Dean Emeritus Manfred Brockmann once again (already for the 25th time!) found the time to plan the seminar program, to invite guests and found the finances to make sure that this central event of of the deanery's spiritual life took place. Eduard Mischenko and the team from the church council of St. Paul Lutheran in Vladivostok resolved many practical issues that came up along the way.

And while in previous years I had observed all of this simply as an invited teacher, this time I was in a different position; as of July 1 I have the responsibilities of the Dean of the Far East. This seminar became a moment of transition during which we all started getting used to our new roles. This situation fit well with the questions that arose related to this years seminar theme – partnership.

Christian Grossmann represented the Hannover Church and spoke not only about the relationship between his church and ELCUSFE, but all shared experience around self-financing of congregational ministries.

Former Dean of Western Siberia Dieter Grimmsmann told about the history of partnership between German Christians and the Christ Church Center in Omsk; later he talked about the nature of partnership as life commonly shared around the story of our encounter with the living Lord.

Pastor Gary Teske from the Central States Synod of the ELCA led discussions on partnership that were not only abstract, but helped us all to think concretely about the ways partner relationships between our churches could look in the future.

While they had not planned this ahead of time, all of the guest teachers used the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24) as their central Biblical source. This story shows how the Good News about Jesus brings us closer to one another and makes us partners in mission.

In addition to the guests, lessons were led by Dean Emeritus Brockmann (about the history of partnership in the congregations of the Far East), Pastor Alexander Lapochenko (about the experience and adventures of partnership with Americans), myself (about the history and theology of the concept of partnership) and Nina and Gennady Dmitrievy.

These last two, who recently celebrated their 46 wedding anniversary, were to speak about women's and men's ministry, respectively, though they went beyond their narrow themes, with Nina meditating on the nature of prayer and Gennady leading us to think about why people come to church at all.

During the deanery business meeting we heard in more detail what challenges each congregation in the deanery is facing. Konstantine Pavlenko had the crucial role of making sure that everyone was heard and at the same time that we worked together efficiently. I as the new dean spoke about my plans for visits in the coming year. We ask you to pray for us so that our small congregations would be strengthened spiritually and that we be given wisdom in resolving those issues that are before us.

Despite the very high heat and humidity this year, the participants of the seminar were happy to spend time both in class and in the wonderful nature of the Vityaz cove. There were times of tension during the seminar, but these were certainly outnumbered by the joy we felt in praying and singing together, in hiking and swimming, around the table or even in the bus.

We are still learning about partnership with our brothers and sisters in faith both near and far. But this summer seminar gave us the feeling that God Himself accompanies us on this path, and for that reason when I go the Far East the next time, I will not have so many worries. I am continuing to get to know the people of the deanery better and in this sense I see more clearly how the Holy Spirit is working and guiding us so that we might be worthy partners in the Gospel.

Dean Bradn Buerkle