A new district was organized earlier this month in Papua New Guinea. The Minj Papua New Guinea District was created from the Goroka Papua New Guinea District and includes five branches. There are now eight districts and one stake in the country.
The Moscow Russia West district was discontinued and its branches put together with the branches in the Moscow Russia district in preparation for a stake. When that stake is coming is uncertain, but L. Tom Perry will be visiting Russia about a week from now so maybe we'll see something happen then?
The Moscow Russia West District was created after the Moscow Russia District supposedly had enough active Melchizedek Priesthood holders. However, missionaries reported that this was delayed in hopes of working towards two stakes in Moscow. Apparently these ambitions have been abandoned as the districts were combined.
I do believe that we're coming close to a stake in Russia, but I'm hesitant as to say where and when. I've encountered reports from missionaries and members from Russia especially during the early 2000s who were sure stakes would have been created in St. Petersburg, Samara, and Saratov in addition to Moscow. Russia has seen dramatic decreases in baptisms in the 2000s and retaining members remains a major challenge.
It looks like one of the Moscow districts were discontinued, maybe for a stake?
ReplyDeleteThe Moscow Russia West district was discontinued and its branches put together with the branches in the Moscow Russia district in preparation for a stake. When that stake is coming is uncertain, but L. Tom Perry will be visiting Russia about a week from now so maybe we'll see something happen then?
ReplyDeleteThe Moscow Russia West District was created after the Moscow Russia District supposedly had enough active Melchizedek Priesthood holders. However, missionaries reported that this was delayed in hopes of working towards two stakes in Moscow. Apparently these ambitions have been abandoned as the districts were combined.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that we're coming close to a stake in Russia, but I'm hesitant as to say where and when. I've encountered reports from missionaries and members from Russia especially during the early 2000s who were sure stakes would have been created in St. Petersburg, Samara, and Saratov in addition to Moscow. Russia has seen dramatic decreases in baptisms in the 2000s and retaining members remains a major challenge.