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200th Anniversary
Convention
Presentation Report
San Francisco Molokan Church —
Septemeber 18, 2005
by Mary Shubin-Needham
[14 American-Molokans
attended the 200th Anniversary Convention in Russia
on July 22-27, 2005, They are the entire Pete William and June (Wm. Popin) Loskutoff
family
— 3 daughters (Katrina Hazen, Alison _?_, Mary Jane Shabalin), each with husbands (Tim Hazen, _?_,
Andrei Shabalin), and all 5 grandchildren (ages
13-27), all from the Bay Area
— plus
their cousin Dr. Alex Allan Desatoff
(mother: Myrna Sam Loskutoff-Desatoff,
Whittier). Pete Loskutoff and Andrei Shabalin were the
American- Molokan Representatives to the Convention. This is part of
their
report
about
this historic event.]
A 15-minute video/slide presentation was shown after the
church services. The video included scenes of the conference
grounds, attendees, the new church and Peter Loskutoff’s speech.
Members of the Loscutoff family shared their personal experiences
throughout the video presentation.
The delegation was especially impressed by the
hospitality and good food they enjoyed at the conference. We
learned the ladies of the congregation served them two meals each day
at long tables covered with homemade tablecloths brought in fresh every
morning. Samovars were at each table and tea was served even in
the 100-degree weather.
Food preparation was done in three kitchens; one in
the church and two outdoors via natural gas lines brought from the main
kitchen. The tables were served from a serving line of 75
ladies. All meals were homemade and there was great abundance,
with borscht and lapsha being served at the same meal! 200 eggs
were used for one meal preparation and two steers donated to the church
were used during the conference.
Pete Loskutoff gave an emotional testimony about his
initial apprehension of traveling with his family to Russia during
these uncertain times, and how the trip turned out to be the highlight
of his life. Peter Loskutoff shared his reflections on how their
traveling inconveniences were light compared to those coming across the
border from Georgia.
And lastly, the Loskutoff grandchildren were
delighted to discover that their world isn’t so small as it might seem
on a Sunday morning in Sunday School class, but that they are part of a
much bigger family.
[Several Jumpers from the Kerman-Fresno area attended this presentation. More
information later.....]
See 45 photos of
congregation delegates attending the congress
Church was small, about 30 people. Bread was
500-1000 attended, Gerogia precher was held up a border, could not take
car across. He crosses and
Pete Loskutoff wanted to see the Kalifornia village in Tselina
$700 for
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