We look back at the last year, full of gratitude for the things that happened within the Reformed Church in Hungary during this vibrant and vital time.
Over the last year, the RCH has played a crucial role as a guiding presence in the lives of Hungarians and others around the world. The church has shown support for its neighboring countries as they face hard times, partnered with partner churches and aid organizations to work towards a dynamic church, elected new leadership to guide us into the future, issued a declaration about the Armenian genocide, spurred on the faith journeys of youth, worked towards ecumenical mission partnerships, helped refugees in need, and advocated for the environment.
Support shown to Reformed Church in Ukraine
It was in March 2014 that Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián first addressed publicly the threat reality and proximity of the Ukrainian war. The ecumenical solidarity with the Reformed Church in Sub-Carpathia has become stronger with the crisis. In January, a WCRC Europe delegation on a solidarity visit to the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia was deeply impressed by the work of the church despite the many challenges it faces. The ailing social and health care systems, as well as the war itself, create great uncertainties.
International Ecumenical Solidarity for the Ukraine
Second European Synod Meeting in Budapest
The Protestant Churches in Hungary, and the Evangelical Church of Rhineland, Germany hosted the Second conference of Protestant Synod Members from around Europe organized by the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) on 30th January to 1st February in Budapest, Hungary. The theme of the meeting was the influence of Protestantism in Europe in the present and in the future.
Closing Statement of the Second European Synod Meeting
New Synod, New Presidency
At its constituting meeting on 25th February the new General Synod elected its ministerial and lay Presidents for the coming 6 years. The outgoing Presiding Bishop Gusztáv Bölcskei has been succeeded by Dr. István Szabó and the number of women has tripled in the new Synod. In this year the new General Secretary András Gér was also appointed.
RCH Synod Elected New General Secretary
Memorandum signed with the Church of Scotland
Rt. Rev. John Chalmers, Moderator of General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the new Presidium of RCH expressed their commitment to a revitalized partnership by signing an agreement on the occasion of the 150 Years Jubilee of the Scottish-Hungarian Bursary Scheme.
Memorandum signed with the Church of Scotland
Synod Issued a Declaration on the Armenian Genocide
The Synod of the RCH issued a declaration on the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and on the Protection of the Christians Currently Suffering Persecution at its meeting in April. The Synod of the RCH asks the responsible leaders of the nations to prevent danger and defend the people entrusted to them in order that no one be discriminated against on account of their nationality or religious belief.
Declaration on the Armenian Genocide
RCH in Solidarity with Korean Christians
The Reformed Church in Hungary fully supports the efforts for peace and reunification of the Korean National Council of Churches as it addresses US President Obama. In May, the on behalf of RCH, Rector Gusztáv Bölcskei participated in the Jeju Forum, a platform on which Christian leaders from around the world could contribute towards setting a global agenda for Christian churches as communities of faith.
RCH Took Part in the Global Forum on Future Christianity
RCH in Solidarity with Korean Christians
Partnership in Mission
The Reformed Church in Hungary (RCH), the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN) and the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB) came together in Budapest in May for an exchange program hosted by RCH. This meeting happened one year after the three churches PKN-ECCB-RCH met in Utrecht, Netherlands to lay the groundwork of a three-year partnership project for the benefit of the European Region of the World Communion of Reformed Churches that focuses on finding new ways to carry out mission in a secularized environment.
Ecumenical Journey for Mission Continues
Cooperation in Roma Ministry
Claude Ruey, President of the Board of Trustees of HEKS paid a short visit in Hungary on June 6 and met colleagues of the Roma Ministry and Pál Huszár, Lay President of the Synod of RCH. The President also engaged in a discussion with Coordinators of the national Roma ministry of RCH and it was confirmed that the ministry activities in the congregations would continue to receive support in accordance with the agreement signed by the , Swiss Interchurch Aid (HEKS), and the Reformed Church in Hungary.
Cooperation with HEKS Continues in Roma Ministry
2015 Youth Assembly of RCH and Starpoint
The Youth Assembly of the Reformed Church in Hungary in April and the Starpoint Reformed Youth Festival in July brought together young people of faith from across Hungary and the world to meet and share their love for life, faith, and God. Both of the youth gatherings centered on the theme of trust; youth who participated left feeling revitalized and energized in their beliefs.
Youth Event Builds Trust Across Nations
Series of Articles on RCH Youth Festival
Refugee Situation
Amidst the current refugee crisis, representatives of major international ecumenical organizations embarked on a solidarity visit to Hungary in September. In order to strengthen efforts to support refugees, delegates from the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) met with Hungarian church leaders, government officials and members of international organizations.
Representatives of ecumenical agencies will visit Hungary amidst refugee crisis
Read more on Migrants in Hungary
Week of creation
“Bicycling for your neighbor!” goes the motto of a group of Hungarian cyclists from the Carpathian Basin, who set out on bike during the Week of Creation, travelling from east to west. The cycling relay, taking place between Beregszász (Berehove, Ukraine) and Sopron, Hungary, is part of the Ecumenical Pilgrimage in Europe, whose final destination is the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris at the end of this year.
Ecumenical Office
Photos:reformatus.hu