Atonement Lutheran Church in Overland Park, Kan., began a companion synod relationship with St. Katharine's congregation in Komsomolsk, Russia in 2003. This relationship began when Olga Kokhan, a leader of St. Katharine's was a guest at the Central States Synod Assembly that year. Olga met with some of the members of Atonement, and a correspondence relationship between the two congregations began. About a year later, Atonement Lutheran entered into a covenant relationship with St. Katharine's Lutheran Church.

Komsomolsk has a population of 270,000 and was built in 1932 by young people from different parts of Russia. Before that it was a village with a native population of Nanaitsy. These people were and still are hunters and fishermen. St. Katharine's congregation was founded in 1999 with the help of Pastor Manfred Brockmann, Dean of the eight congregations in the Far East of Russia, and Pastor Marcus Lessinski, a German pastor who was very helpful in the creation and building of the congregation. Prior to that there had been no Lutheran congregations in Komsomolsk. St. Katharine's began its congregation with five women, and today there are about 50 people ranging in age from one to sixty-five. The people of the congregation are of various church and national backgrounds. The congregation has one musician and a choir.

The church council is very active, and St. Katharine's has many forms of ministry. They provide a children's club and Sunday school, teach Bible lessons at a children's home, collect clothing for the children's home, buy gifts and school supplies and provide parties for the children at Easter, Christmas, and other holidays. They have an active women's club that does Bible study centered on women in the Bible and discusses social problems, raising children, and improving health; one can get psychological help and assistance in difficult life situations, in avoiding conflicts, etc. They participate in the World Day of Prayer and have decorations and clothing representing the country that is emphasized each year. The women also knit and buy socks for the children that go to summer camp. There is also an active youth club that gives concerts at the church and at the children's home and participates in Bible study. Bible lessons and study is also offered for those people preparing for baptism and confirmation. St. Katharine's has been developing relationships with other congregations in Komsomolsk, such as the Baptist church.

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In 2004 Atonement sent two of their members to visit St. Katharine's for a week. During that time they met with members of the congregation and learned more about the people and work of St. Katharine's and the city of Komsomolsk. Atonement arranged to have Olga Kokhan visit them again during the summer of 2005. This visit provided both the members of Atonement and Olga to get to know one another better and to learn more about each of the congregations. During 2006 the two congregations worked together to purchase a flat for St. Katharine's where they now meet for worship, study and ministry activities. This was accomplished with some funding from the German church also. The people of Atonement regularly send gifts and supplies for the children of St. Katharine's and those at the Children's Home as well as help with some costs of the congregation.

The congregations pray for one another regularly as part of their weekly worship services. Atonement is currently making plans for their youth director to travel to Komsomolsk for a week this coming summer. While there, he hopes to pursue activities in which the youth from Atonement could be involved as he would like to arrange a future visit for them to Komsomolsk. Atonement has gained much from their companionship with St. Katherine's. For those that have traveled there, it has been a life-changing experience, and it has served as a tremendous outreach for the congregation.

Reba Larson                              Olga Kokhan
Atonement Lutheran Church        St. Katharine Lutheran Church
Overland Park, Kan.                    Komsomolsk, Russia
February 6, 2008                        February 6, 2008

“I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

Companion Synod Relationships: The Central States Synod, along with all other 64 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are part of the Companion Synod Program which links churches around the world into a companion relationship. The Central States Synod is a companion of two synods outside North America: the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea-Kotte District (ELCPNG) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia and Other States (ELCROS).

The Companion Synod Team for Central States Synod supports, encourages, and facilitates mission relationships that may be through the activity of individuals, congregations, area ministries, and the synod team. For more information about the Companion Synod Team of Central States Synod or how you, as an individual, congregation, or Area Ministry can get involved, contact Kathie Walter by e-mail Kathie-PMA@swbell.net or phone, 913-451-8778, regarding ELCROS, and contact Rev. Gary Teske at 785-843-4150 or e-mail gteske@tlclawrence.org regarding ELCPNG. For worship and educational resources, visit the Central States Synod Companion Synod Page.