Missouri Union Presbytery » Hungarian Church Partnership

Hungarian Reformed Church-Basic Information

CecilCulverhouse — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:50:09 +0000

The population of Hungary is less than that of the state of Illinois, but the Hungarian Reformed Church has almost as many members as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Some members of the Hungarian Reformed Church live outside the current borders of Hungary, as the denomination extends to territory that was Hungary prior to 1923. There are 9 church districts in the Hungarian Reformed Church, which include 64 sub-districts (similar to our presbyteries.) In 2009 a unified constitution will be presented, hoping to solidify unity among the Reformed Christians in Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Transylvania (Romania). Each church district has a bishop ( a minister) and head curator (an elder). The term of office is 6 years; a person may serve 3 terms. Congregations elect commissioners and the districts elect delegates to the General Synod. Bishops and Head Curators are elected there. A new term will begin in 2009.
The partnership of Missouri Union Presbytery is with the Cistibiscan Church District (Tiszaninneni), the northeast quadrant of Hungary. Their bishop is Jozsef Csomos. Tibor Abram is the Head Curator and Hajnalka Domokos is the head of the office staff. David Pandy-Szekeres, a missionary of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, is our primary contact in the Ukraine.
A major focus of Missouri Union Presbytery’s partnership with the HRC district has been the Academy at Sarospatak, founded in 1531, and now consisting of a primary school, a high school and the seminary. Missouri Union Presbytery also has a partnership with the church district in Ukraine. Missouri Union Presbytery congregations have partnered with these Hungarian Reformed congregations:

Coates Street Presbyterian in Moberly is the partner church of Avas Del
First Presbyterian, Fulton helps support churches in Encs and Vizsoy
First Presbyterian in Jefferson City is partnered with Scerencs
Covenant Presbyterian Church in Marshall with Atany
First Presbyterian in Mexico, Missouri, with Avas Church in Miskolc

2007 Visit to Hungarian & Ukrainian Churches

VickiSchildmeyer — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:06:52 +0000

The most recent visit to Hungarian Reformed Churches by a group from churches in Missouri Union Presbytery was in August 2007. Those participating returned enthused about this long-standing relationship of shared ministry with fellow disciples.

Those participating in this mission trip included Bedford and Kathryn Knipschild (Covenant – Marshall), Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bullock (First – Fulton), Russell Greenhaugen, Karen Larvik, Dick Caplinger, Kent Burson, and Cecil Culverhouse (First – Jefferson City).

2008 Opportunity to visit Hungarian, Ukrainian & Romanian Churches

VickiSchildmeyer — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:00:17 +0000

A trip to Hungary, Ukraine, and Romania is planned for July-August 2008. Itinerary is for 14 days and includes sites in Budapest, then visits to churches in Miskolc, Szerencs, Encs, Vizsoly and Sarospatak in Hungary. In Ukraine, the group will visit and worship in Nagydobony (where the Roma school is), Nagybereg, Beregszasz and Tivalafalda. The trip includes time in Transylvania and Clug(Kolozsvar), Tirgu Mures, Oradea, Debrecen and possibly, Kalocsa and Keckesmet.

The trip will be led by Cecil Culverhouse. This is your opportunity to go and see first-hand the steadfast faith of the Hungarian Reformed Church as it rebuilds after a long period of repression. Many are surprised to learn that this part of Eastern Europe and Ukraine are some of the very poorest places in the world. Please contact Mary Harris at harris321@sbcglobal.net for more information or to indicate your interest. Continue to check this site, which will be updated as travel specifics are determined.

Partner Churches Sought

VickiSchildmeyer — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:15:47 +0000

During August 2007, representatives from Missouri Union Presbytery visited Partner churches in the Cistibiscan Church District (synod) of the Hungarian Reformed Church. Other Hungarian congregations wish to form partnership relationships with churches in the Presbytery of Missouri Union. Consider this ministry opportunity for your congregation. For more information, please contact Rev. Robert Bailey at bobannell@embarqmail.com or (573)634-8660.

Partnerships are open-ended commitments; each relationship develops in a unique way. Your communication to a partner church may be carried out via email, exchange visits or regular mail, but the personal connection with other Christians is a meaningful, mutual blessing. As we hear and learn from other believers, especially those whose faith was forged under official repression, we're challenged to evaluate our own commitment. As Hungarian Christians continue to emerge from a controlled society to witness to God's kingdom in a materiastic, post-modern world, we can share and follow Christ together.

Those visiting included Bedford and Kathryn Knipschild (Covenant – Marshall), Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bullock (First – Fulton), Russell Greenhaugen, Karen Larvik, Dick Caplinger, Kent Burson, and Cecil Culverhouse (First – Jefferson City).