Connexio Mission Talk: Being church networked with others<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe first \"Connexio Mission Talk\" on the evening of December 2 focused on the work of the Methodist Church in Romania. The surprising outcome of the first round of the presidential elections was also an important topic of discussion.<\/h4>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUrs Schweizer, Assistant to the Bishop responsible for the countries of Central and Southern Europe Stefan Z\u00fcrcher<\/a>, hosted the first \"Connexio Mission Talk\" at the Zoom meeting on the evening of December 2. He is also the liaison person for Connexio develop and Connexio hope for the work in Eastern Central Europe and the Balkans.<\/p>Sarah Putman and Rares Calugar from Romania were present as guests. US-American Sarah Putman works as a missionary in the Methodist Church in Romania and coordinates the work for Ukrainian refugees, among other things. Rares Calugar is a pastor and superintendent of the Methodist Church in Romania.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNot recognized as a church<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn terms of numbers, the Methodist Church in Romania<\/a> small. The church's work is supported by parishes in Cluj-Napoca, Mice\u0219ti, Com\u0219e\u0219ti and Sibiu and, more recently, by several parishes with Hungarian-speaking Roma on the border with the neighboring country to the west.<\/p>\n\"We are not a recognized church in Romania,\" said Rares Calugar in the interview. Legally, the Methodist Church in Romania is a non-governmental organization. \"Only the churches that existed before 1989 are recognized.\" However, the Methodist Church was only founded in 2011.<\/p>\n
His goal is therefore also to reach the number of 300 church members. Then the church could be recognized as a religious community. \"I hope that we will be ready by the end of next year. Then we can legally separate the spiritual from the social and develop an appropriate structure for the church.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNetworked to have a big impact<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMeasured by the number of people who belong to it, the commitment of the Methodist Church is enormous. The Methodists in Romania are particularly effective because they network with other organizations and churches without fear of contact. \"We also work with people who don't think like us. Some don't identify as Christians. But they do good things,\" said Rares Calugar.<\/p>
The participants at the \"Connexio Mission Talk\" were given a small insight into the extensive network. \"We have many relationships with other churches, but also with other NGOs,\" said Sarah Putman. \"We connect with people who specialize in different ministries.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCollaboration with experts<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor example, the Methodists work with an organization that accompanies women who come to Cluj-Napoca for cancer treatment. They are committed to helping orphans, offer help in coping with trauma and are active among the Roma. And they support Ukrainian refugees in a variety of ways.<\/p>
Their network includes medical, psychological and educational specialists. They apply for funding from the EU and the UN for their work. However, the Methodist network is of crucial importance, not least for the work with the Urkainians.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupported by the Methodist network<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"There is no longer any support for work with Ukrainian refugees in Romania,\" said Rares Calugar in the interview. The money for this comes from outside. Around 70% of the necessary funding comes from Methodist churches. \"This is another reason why I am so proud to be part of this Methodist network.\"<\/p>
The war in Ukraine and the work with refugees was discussed in more detail in the \"Connexio Mission Talk\". \"The needs of Ukrainians have changed dramatically,\" reported Sarah Putman. Originally<\/a> basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter were the main focus. \"We helped them to get what they needed or to go where they wanted to go.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWork with refugees has changed<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBut the war has now been going on for over 1,000 days. \"Now people are asking themselves more and more: 'What if I have to stay here forever? ' So now it's about learning the language, finding a job or an apartment. \"They now have to build a new life in Romania,\" added Rares Calugar. \"We support them in becoming independent and independent from us.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe long shadow of the elections<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"How will the result of the presidential election affect the work of the Methodist Church in Romania?\" asked Urs Schweizer. \"At the moment, everything is very confusing and frightening,\" replied Rares Calugar. It is impossible to predict who will win the run-off election. It is also still completely unclear which coalition will be formed to govern the country in the future.<\/p>
Rares Calugar described the possibility of a law similar to the one in Georgia being introduced, which would prohibit the acceptance of funds from abroad, as a \"nightmare\". \"We would no longer be able to be in contact with organizations from the EU and use the opportunities we have now.\"<\/p>
At the same time, he admitted: \"These are the extreme variants. However, I think and hope that this will not happen.\" But at the moment, everything is open. \"This week is really crucial for us. Pray for us that God will work here on all these issues!\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA successful start<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe first \"Connexio Mission Talk\" provided participants with insights into credible and encouraging church work. Challenges and, above all, the uncertainty caused by the political situation were also tangible. It was inspiring to hear how the Methodist Church in Romania is a church together with others and lives so close to the burning challenges of its society.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"con-line\"](\"https:\/\/connexio.ch\/hope\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/12\/con-line.svg\" "\\"con-line\\"")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFeatured image: Urs Schweizer in conversation with Sarah Putman and Rares Calugar \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tText: Sigmar Friedrich, Communication EMK<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\u00a0\"Connexio Mission Talk\"<\/strong><\/p>\nIt has long become a tradition for people from Connexio hope and develop partner countries to visit Methodist parishes. With a new format, the \"Connexio Mission Talks\", it is now possible to invite these guests to your home - simply by participating in a one-hour ZOOM conversation via your computer.
The aim of these \"Connexio Mission Talks\" is to come into direct contact with people from the partner churches, to hear from them what is on their minds and to strengthen the common bond.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Next talk in February<\/strong><\/p>\nAnother \"Connexio Mission Talk\" is planned for February 2025, an exact date has not yet been set. But the topic is. Urs Schweizer will ask Hungarian Methodists the question: With what goal did the Methodists in Hungary take over two schools with over 1000 young people?
Interested parties can register via e-mail<\/a> contact Urs Schweizer and will receive the information as soon as the date and time are fixed<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSupport the work in Romania<\/strong><\/p>Connexio develop supports the work in Romania in two ways:<\/p>
On the one hand through the project \"Social-diaconal work for marginalized population groups\" (project number: 20040). Further information can be found in the Project description<\/a>.<\/p>The work with refugees from Ukraine is supported by the emergency aid collection.<\/p>
Donate with the note: Emergency aid Ukraine<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
The first \"Connexio Mission Talk\" on the evening of December 2 focused on the work of the Methodist Church in Romania. The surprising outcome of the first round of the presidential elections was also an important topic of discussion.<\/h4>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
Urs Schweizer, Assistant to the Bishop responsible for the countries of Central and Southern Europe Stefan Z\u00fcrcher<\/a>, hosted the first \"Connexio Mission Talk\" at the Zoom meeting on the evening of December 2. He is also the liaison person for Connexio develop and Connexio hope for the work in Eastern Central Europe and the Balkans.<\/p> Sarah Putman and Rares Calugar from Romania were present as guests. US-American Sarah Putman works as a missionary in the Methodist Church in Romania and coordinates the work for Ukrainian refugees, among other things. Rares Calugar is a pastor and superintendent of the Methodist Church in Romania.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t In terms of numbers, the Methodist Church in Romania<\/a> small. The church's work is supported by parishes in Cluj-Napoca, Mice\u0219ti, Com\u0219e\u0219ti and Sibiu and, more recently, by several parishes with Hungarian-speaking Roma on the border with the neighboring country to the west.<\/p>\n \"We are not a recognized church in Romania,\" said Rares Calugar in the interview. Legally, the Methodist Church in Romania is a non-governmental organization. \"Only the churches that existed before 1989 are recognized.\" However, the Methodist Church was only founded in 2011.<\/p>\n His goal is therefore also to reach the number of 300 church members. Then the church could be recognized as a religious community. \"I hope that we will be ready by the end of next year. Then we can legally separate the spiritual from the social and develop an appropriate structure for the church.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Measured by the number of people who belong to it, the commitment of the Methodist Church is enormous. The Methodists in Romania are particularly effective because they network with other organizations and churches without fear of contact. \"We also work with people who don't think like us. Some don't identify as Christians. But they do good things,\" said Rares Calugar.<\/p> The participants at the \"Connexio Mission Talk\" were given a small insight into the extensive network. \"We have many relationships with other churches, but also with other NGOs,\" said Sarah Putman. \"We connect with people who specialize in different ministries.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t For example, the Methodists work with an organization that accompanies women who come to Cluj-Napoca for cancer treatment. They are committed to helping orphans, offer help in coping with trauma and are active among the Roma. And they support Ukrainian refugees in a variety of ways.<\/p> Their network includes medical, psychological and educational specialists. They apply for funding from the EU and the UN for their work. However, the Methodist network is of crucial importance, not least for the work with the Urkainians.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t \"There is no longer any support for work with Ukrainian refugees in Romania,\" said Rares Calugar in the interview. The money for this comes from outside. Around 70% of the necessary funding comes from Methodist churches. \"This is another reason why I am so proud to be part of this Methodist network.\"<\/p> The war in Ukraine and the work with refugees was discussed in more detail in the \"Connexio Mission Talk\". \"The needs of Ukrainians have changed dramatically,\" reported Sarah Putman. Originally<\/a> basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter were the main focus. \"We helped them to get what they needed or to go where they wanted to go.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t But the war has now been going on for over 1,000 days. \"Now people are asking themselves more and more: 'What if I have to stay here forever? ' So now it's about learning the language, finding a job or an apartment. \"They now have to build a new life in Romania,\" added Rares Calugar. \"We support them in becoming independent and independent from us.\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t \"How will the result of the presidential election affect the work of the Methodist Church in Romania?\" asked Urs Schweizer. \"At the moment, everything is very confusing and frightening,\" replied Rares Calugar. It is impossible to predict who will win the run-off election. It is also still completely unclear which coalition will be formed to govern the country in the future.<\/p> Rares Calugar described the possibility of a law similar to the one in Georgia being introduced, which would prohibit the acceptance of funds from abroad, as a \"nightmare\". \"We would no longer be able to be in contact with organizations from the EU and use the opportunities we have now.\"<\/p> At the same time, he admitted: \"These are the extreme variants. However, I think and hope that this will not happen.\" But at the moment, everything is open. \"This week is really crucial for us. Pray for us that God will work here on all these issues!\"<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t The first \"Connexio Mission Talk\" provided participants with insights into credible and encouraging church work. Challenges and, above all, the uncertainty caused by the political situation were also tangible. It was inspiring to hear how the Methodist Church in Romania is a church together with others and lives so close to the burning challenges of its society.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Text: Sigmar Friedrich, Communication EMK<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t \u00a0\"Connexio Mission Talk\"<\/strong><\/p>\n It has long become a tradition for people from Connexio hope and develop partner countries to visit Methodist parishes. With a new format, the \"Connexio Mission Talks\", it is now possible to invite these guests to your home - simply by participating in a one-hour ZOOM conversation via your computer. \u00a0Next talk in February<\/strong><\/p>\n Another \"Connexio Mission Talk\" is planned for February 2025, an exact date has not yet been set. But the topic is. Urs Schweizer will ask Hungarian Methodists the question: With what goal did the Methodists in Hungary take over two schools with over 1000 young people? Support the work in Romania<\/strong><\/p> Connexio develop supports the work in Romania in two ways:<\/p> On the one hand through the project \"Social-diaconal work for marginalized population groups\" (project number: 20040). Further information can be found in the Project description<\/a>.<\/p> The work with refugees from Ukraine is supported by the emergency aid collection.<\/p> Donate with the note: Emergency aid Ukraine<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tNot recognized as a church<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Networked to have a big impact<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Collaboration with experts<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Supported by the Methodist network<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Work with refugees has changed<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The long shadow of the elections<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
A successful start<\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The aim of these \"Connexio Mission Talks\" is to come into direct contact with people from the partner churches, to hear from them what is on their minds and to strengthen the common bond.<\/p>\n
Interested parties can register via e-mail<\/a> contact Urs Schweizer and will receive the information as soon as the date and time are fixed<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t