“Pray and work for justice and truth, and keep the horizon of reconciliation and peace,” summarized Christian Krieger, President of the Conference of European Churches his experience after a solidarity visit in Ukraine, which also included the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia, member of the organisation.
The leaders of the Church can perform exceptionally well if the organization behind them works seamlessly – professes István Mózes Mező, the head of the Office of the General Synod. He sees the office, established in the current synodical term as a separate organizational branch, as a tool which, with the effective use of resources, can affect not just the Church, but the whole society.
On 19 April, the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid delivered a humanitarian transport containing seeds to Transcarpathia from its warehouse in Beregdaroc. In the "Seeds of Hope" program, a total of 11 tonnes of seeds were delivered to the border region by HRCA. The total value of the transport exceeds one hundred thousand euros.
Bishop Sándor Zán Fábián, Head of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia, in his Easter message on the Hungarian radio station in Ukraine, encouraged church members and Christians beyond to embrace the restoring power of resurrection in their personal lives and in the Church.
“In Solidarity and Prayer This Easter Season,” reads in the Easter Massage of the World Communion of Reformed Churches Europe Area, which was sent to the member churches in the shadow of the war in Ukraine by Martina Wasserloos-Strunk, President of WCRC Europe.
"The Word of God tells us that God does not forget about His people." The Presidium of the General Convent, Bishops and Lay Presidents of the Church Districts of the Hungarian Reformed Church in the Carpathian Basin jointly issued Easter blessings.
"The Gospel message has special weight and significance these days when we not only hear accounts of war and human suffering but are deeply touched by them," reads in the joint Easter Message of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Hungary.
The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid (HRCA) offered three minibuses to better facilitate the distribution of donations in Transcarpathia. The new vehicles will transport food and hygiene products collected in Hungary to the Reformed Church in Ukraine.
Shortage of medicines and doctors is plaguing hospitals in Transcarpathia, while more and more patients are arriving from inside Ukraine. Since the outbreak of the war, the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid has been offering help thanks to donations. This time, more than 3 million forints worth of medicines were delivered to the Central City Clinical Hospital in Uzhhorod.
The Hungarian speaking Reformed Congregation in Beregszász/Berehove, Ukraine, is organizing activities for often traumatized refugee children and Sunday afternoon services in Ukrainian, so that IDPs have spiritual relief, as well.
Bishop Zoltán Balog, Ministerial President of the Synod, in his opening address at the two-day session of the General Synod of RCH spoke about the solidarity with Transcarpathia, Ukraine, the role of religious education and the need for fairness. Korean Presbyterians visited the two-day meeting.
A delegation from Korea, composed of senior officialy of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) and the Korean Diakonia visited RCH and the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid. Korean Diakonia and the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming their cooperation for the sake of the people of the war-tornUkraine.
Those who stay in Ukraine and continue serving faithfully among elderly people and refugees need help themselves. The Presidium of the Reformed Church in Hungary issued a circular requesting pastors to offer parts of their salaries for the fellow ministers in Ukraine, persevering and serving faithfully in the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia. International partners are also welcome to show solidarity.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) convened an ecumenical roundtable consultation on the situation in Ukraine, which took place 30 March at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute. Bishop Zoltán Balog, Ministerial President of the Synod of RCH attended the meeting representing Hungarian member churches.
The Mission Service of the Reformed Church in Hungary has published an appeal in connection with the war in Ukraine and the refugees fleeing forced to leave their home due to the atrocities. They encourage Hungarian congregations to gather regularly for prayer and to sing the "hymn" of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia. Read and join the call.
The Evangelical Group Association organised a conference on „Protecting families - the biblical image of the family” last Saturday in Budapest. One of the discussions at the conference brought church leaders together around a table. The Reformed Church was represented by Bishop Zoltán Balog, ministerial president of the Synod.
Vujity Tvrtko, writer, journalist and reclaimed television reporter in Hungary worked with the Pulzus FM, a Hungarian speaking radio station in Transcarpathia, Western Ukraine as a volunteer. He called his week-long work a peace mission.
Due to the war in Ukraine, human lives are at risk, people lack basic supplies and have been forced to leave their homes. IDPs have reached the Western part of Ukraine and refugees are arriving to Hungary in growing numbers. The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid has been providing emergency response from the first day. Daily update.
Due to the war in Ukraine, human lives are at risk, people lack basic supplies and have been forced to leave their homes. IDPs have reached the Western part of Ukraine and refugees are arriving to Hungary in growing numbers. The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid has been providing emergency response from the first day. Daily update.
Due to the war in Ukraine, human lives are at risk, people lack basic supplies and have been forced to leave their homes. IDPs have reached the Western part of Ukraine and refugees are arriving to Hungary in growing numbers. The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid has been providing emergency response from the first day. Daily update.