going beyond borders churches in learning process

going BEYOND borders

churches in LEARNING PROCESS

8 April 2011GOING BEYOND - Presentation at

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FACTS

One of the largest Reformed communities in Europe are the Reformed Churches in the eight countries of the Carpathian Basin. There are more than 1.5 million members almost in 3000 congregations.

In spite of their fragmentation the common confessions – the Heidelberg Catechism and the Second Helvetic Confession beside the Apostolic Confession – the Hungarian language and the common history provide important cohesion.

The largest Reformed communities live in Hungary, in the western and middle part of Romania, in the Southern counties of Slovakia, in the Sub-Carpathian area of Ukraine and in the Northern part of Serbia and Croatia. They are organized in independent churches by countries. There is one Reformed congregation in Austria and in Slovenia.

As a result of emigration there are Hungarian Reformed communities living in all over the World, of which the largest communities live in Western Europe and in North America.


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SEEKING UNITY in SEPARATION

Life in forced separation Life in communion: 22 MAY 2009

webConstituting Synod


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FACING CHALLENGES

Economical challenges Social challenges Political challenges

Community on the search for identity and orientation in an ever changing context

Working Plan


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UNITY IN/FOR MISSION

Life in unity for mission in the Carpathian Basin and beyond

Deepening community within the church, strengthening

networks, encouraging voluntary service

ECUMENICAL AND INTERNATIONAL engagement

web Bridge of Love „Csillagpont” Youth Festival EU-Presidency


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BEYOND BORDERSSOCIAL MINISTRIES

Think „wider” go „overseas”

Changing attitudes: from survival towards sharing gifts – even if limited in terms of financial and human resources

Social ministries


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RESOURCES TO SHARE

Normally churches (congregations) are self-supporting

partial restitution public responsibilities, educational,

social, health care institutions financed partly by the state

Donation campaigns


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„MONEY” 1 % FOR border-crossing MISSION

Campaign tool of Reformed Church in Hungary in 2011

TV spot: Not simple! Still natural for 180 000 people!Internet (director’ version):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b-ZwVVuqdA Internet sites:www.reformatus.hu/egyszazalek http://www.facebook.com/pages/Református-1-0066/196931366995625 Mobile media:iPhone:http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reformatus/id425239457?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D2 iPad:http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reformatus-hd/id425234747?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D2 Android: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.reformatus.egyszazalek&feature=search_result


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BEYOND BORDERSSOCIAL MINISTRIES

Critically present – advocacy and help

Refugee ministry

Roma ministry

Hungarian Reformed Church Aid – red sludge


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Journeying BEYOND together

Join us in critical presence in order that we can learn about

ADVOCACY. sharing experiences. raising our voice beyond the borders of the church.

SOCIAL MINISTRY. sharing in mission in society beyond church community.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE. sharing of resources globally.


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SERENITY

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference

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going beyond borders churches in learning process

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