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TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER Report 68
September 20, 2000 Dear Friends: I have just returned from an exciting trip to Tallinn, Estonia, where I represented the FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of Delmar at the dedication of the new BALTIC MISSION CENTER & CHURCH. Those who have been following my reports know of my friendship with Rev. Dr. Olav Parnamets and his wife Urva which began in the late 1980s when my pastor in Delmar indicated the church in Tallinn was the largest Methodist church in continental Europe. It seemed important to meet Olav and learn more about him and his congregation. That remarkable church with 900 members had survived an oppressive occupation for fifty years during a time when entering any church carried the possibility of being fired from employment in a society controlled by an atheistic government. A warm relationship developed with Rev. Olav. Whenever I was in Tallinn we always met for breakfast where I was given the latest information on conditions in his city, and we discussed how I might be helpful to him and his congregation. Those times together were precious; I often preached from his pulpit, and soon gained "street recognition" as congregants stopped me saying, "Please mail these letters when you return to America!"
Over ten years ago Rev. Olav viewed the evolving consequences of perestroika: the Berlin Wall had disappeared, eastern European border restrictions were being eased, and an unexpected new world was emerging. Buoyed by the deep faith that had sustained him and his congregation through a difficult occupation, he allowed himself to dream about possibilities which could be just over the horizon. His prayerful focus led him to two spirit-filled insights: his church, destroyed at the beginning of the war, must be replaced, and eastern Europe needed a modern seminary to train Christian leaders to fill the void created by Communism. Rev. Olav is filled with the "spirit" which reflects his vision and commitment; this makes it easy for those around him to become partners in his "dream". Accomplishing such a gigantic building project seemed beyond hope to many, but God's "prevenient grace" as understood by Wesley provided support and direction when needed. The first step in the implementation of his "dream" took Rev. Olav to the QWANG LIM METHODIST CHURCH in Seoul, South Korea, the largest Methodist church in the world. He shared his hopes with Bishop Sando Kim who asked, "Rev. Parnamets, what would you like from us?" With trepidation Olav spoke his inner voice, saying, "Bishop Kim, I would like you to start us toward our goal with a gift of one million US dollars." This dynamic Korean leader said, "Brother Olav, you have the one million dollars. Now go to America and tell our Methodist brothers and sisters what one Korean church has done!" Rev. Olav made linkage with the UNITED METHODIST GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES, WORLD METHODIST EVANGELISM, and over several years commuted to the States, gaining support from annual conferences in Mississippi, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. The rest is history! On September 10, all 900 seats in the church were filled, and more than a hundred stood in the rear and along the sides as that beautiful $4.4 million building, the BALTIC MISSION CENTER AND CHURCH, was presented as a unique structure within worldwide Methodism. It will serve as a guiding light for the next millennium. A pre-dedication supper the night before was sumptuous. After the dedication service a gala celebration was held with hors d'oeuvres and demitasse. Rev. Olav's commitment and the dedication of Methodists throughout the world have resulted in a debt-free building. Eighty-seven seminary students are presently enrolled. There is concern regarding the maintenance of this beautiful cathedral and study center. Modern construction has provided a nearly maintenance-free building, and worldwide contributions will continue while the CENTER moves toward being self-supporting.
Since 1996 the FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of Delmar and the BALTIC MISSION CENTER AND CHURCH have enjoyed a sister-sister church partnership. The mission thrust of the FUMC of Delmar had early links with Rev. Olav and his congregation:
This sister-sister church partnership has enhanced the mission commitment of the FUMC of Delmar, and our Tallinn "brothers and sisters in Christ" have appreciated the support. The guests who visited us during the height of the "cold war" enjoyed the warm reception by my home congregation. In turn, we gained much by becoming acquainted with delightful people from a society with whom we seldom had contact. * * * * * * * Efforts are continuing for President Clinton to posthumously award the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM to his Envoy, Ambassador Robert C. Frasure, who died in his service in Sarajevo on August 20, 1995. Note the last page, and please ask your Congressional representatives to support the request. A memorial contribution in Bob's name has been made to the BALTIC MISSION CENTER AND CHURCH. It is gratifying to know that for perpetuity those entering that beautiful cathedral will be reminded of a great American public servant who made a difference in a difficult time. ------------- Harmon Associates August 10, 2000 President
William J. Clinton Dear Mr. President: I was disappointed that Ambassador Robert C. Frasure was not among the recipients awarded the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM yesterday at the White House. Ambassador Frasure served our country well as Presidential Envoy in Sarajevo where his remarkable mediation skills brought President Milosevic to a new understanding of his responsibility in that troubled part of the world. Those early Milosevic/Frasure mediations became the cornerstone of peace that exists to this day. In the spring of 1991 Senator Rudy Boschwitz accompanied Frasure to Ethiopia where Bob's "knowledge and capability" (quoting the Senator) resulted in the movement of 16,000 Black Jews (the Falashas) to Israel in a 24-hour period. Perhaps Ambassador Frasure's most striking accomplishment was his service as the first US ambassador to Estonia following the Soviet coup. As an effective public servant he supplied the Estonian Home Forces with 3,000 machine guns to protect borders and control drug trafficking, a primary Estonian need; he opened US medicine resources in Frankfort to meet crises in Tallinn quickly; he single-handedly brought an Aeroflot hijacking to a halt on the ramp at the Tallinn airport; with dignity and no media visibility he turned Estonia into the eastern military flank of Western allies facing a Russia with unknown motives. The Estonian Parliament has bestowed posthumously upon Ambassador Frasure the ORDER OF MAARIMAA, their highest civilian award. Many pray that before leaving office you will award posthumously the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM, our highest civilian award, to this deserving American. Respectfully Millard Harmon cc: Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV
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