"Here I am, send me!" Annual Conference Hungary-Romania 2025
News
Picture: Superintendent László Khaled, Bishop Stefan Zürcher and Pastor (retd) Mihály Sztupkai place their hands on Pastor Kristóf Sztupkai during his ordination and bless him for his ministry. Also in the picture: Pastor Bence Vigh (2.f.l).
Last year's meeting of the Hungary-Romania Annual Conference was already a historic one - it was the first official meeting of the new Annual Conference consisting of these two neighboring countries. Now history has been made once again, as this gathering took place for the first time in Romania - in a city, that is historically strongly influenced by Hungary. The bond was strengthened last year through reciprocal visits by individual groups and the organization of a joint meeting for the pastors. And it is not least the extremely committed and varied work with Roma people that connects the two districts.
"Here I am, send me!" This statement from Isaiah 6:8 was the motto of the Annual Conference. God's love is for all people. That is clear to us. But how does this love reach people? Well, certainly in different ways - but often through other people who were and are willing to be sent by God.
"I have been thinking for a long time about how we can anchor Robi's missionary work in our structures," said Rares Calugar, Superintendent in the Romania district. He was referring to the work of Róbert Lakatos in Salacea, Albis, and Valealuimihal among Hungarian-speaking Roma. The former Roma musician, who worked in a Roma congregation after experiencing a calling and eventually served as its pastor, was commissioned as local pastor by the Annual Conference.
The fact that the UMC is growing slightly in both countries is cause for celebration - and also reflects the great commitment of many. In this context, Superintendent Rares Calugar mentioned in particular the outreach to minorities and marginalized groups (in Romania these are not only Roma, but also people who have fled from Ukraine). He emphasized that it is not primarily about working FOR these people, but WITH them.
Project-coordinator Anca Beu informs about UMC Romania's social projects. At the right: Superintendent Rares Calugar.
In the Hungarian district, Dániel Vadászi was commissioned as local pastor for the congregation in Szekszárd. The delegates traveled to Budapest on Saturday to celebrate Dániel's appointment and the ordination of Kristóf Sztupkai as an elder of the UMC in the Budapest-Pest congregation.
Pastor Kristóf Sztupkai tells about his journey of 22 years from his vocation to his ordination.
In this moving worship service with wonderful music, Bishop Stefan Zürcher interpreted the parable of the Good Samaritan. In his sensitive sermon on Luke 10:25-37, he invited us to see God as the Good Samaritan: It is God's love that binds up our wounds when we have "fallen among thieves". God picks us up and carries us. God pays for our healing and care - whatever the cost. This love also awakens in us the desire to pass on God's love. This love makes us ready to be sent and to become a neighbor to other people.
Bischop Stefan Zürcher preaches in English; Pastor Donát Gyurkó translates to Hungarian.
God's love is for all people. That is clear to us. There are many reasons to thank God for the Methodists in Hungary and Romania who allow themselves to be sent so that God's love reaches many people.
Source: Pastor Martin Obermeir-Siegrist, guest-delegate from Austria / Urs Schweizer, Assistent to the Bischop, Zürich.
Joy of reunion: Gergő Sztupkai and Judit Sztupkai-Zimányi used to live in Vienna and were members of the Floridsdorf congregation that Martin Obermeir-Siegrist served as a pastor that time.