4 - 2001

Churches in Europe

Hopefull Steps

A German-Romanian partnership

by Hans-Joachim Janus

Many local churches and church groups in Germany have developed partnerships with local churches in eastern Europe. In this way they are helping to reduce the gap between eastern and western Europe, helping to relieve poverty Ð and enriching themselves. As an example, we present the experience of the church district of Brackenheim in WÜrttemberg, which since the mid-1990s has been working in partnership with the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Cluj, especially in Turda district.

From the beginning the emphasis has been on intensive efforts to get to know each other. This took place through 28 visits of various groups back and forth, not counting private trips by families who have become close friends. Representatives from Brackenheim have been visiting all eight districts, in most cases several times, and the many monasteries and convents, as well as the central youth’s, students’, women’s and social service institutions of the diocese. From the other side, delegations from the Archdiocese have been guests in almost all our local churches and institutions. Each partner intends to keep learning more about the spiritual, cultural and existential situation of the other partner. This is the only way to be able to help purposefully.

Other examples are concerts by the Cluj Deacons’ Choir, support for an internship in social welfare for Mihaela Oros in the children’s home at Kleingartach, as well as the visit of the theatre group from the Lyceum in Huedin to the secondary grammar school at Zabergäu in Brackenheim. Pupils at the secondary modern school in Schwaigern supported a project at the Mihail Viteasul School in Turda. Women of Brackenheim and of Cluj have been in intensive contact throughout. Brackenheim financed the building of a women’s centre in Cluj. Many social welfare projects are developing being developped in the Archdiocese, such as placement of diaconal officers in most of the districts and in social work with youth, thanks to consultations with the district social welfare office in Brackenheim and the children’s home in Kleingartach.

Intensive spiritual fellowship, intercessory prayers for one another in worship and, on both sides, learning and deepening one’s understanding of the partner’s spiritual practice characterise our growing together in reconciled diversity. For some persons in Brackenheim, Orthodox liturgy and piety have become important, and they have also come to value participation in monastic life. In our churches, parish houses and private homes, icons can now be found, and many church members find them helpful as "windows on eternity”. Many a hymn and prayer from the Orthodox liturgy enriches our worship.

The ecumenical relations between Brackenheim and Cluj also have positive effects on local ecumenical relationships in each place. Other churches and confessions are not only well informed about the contacts, but are invited to share in worship services and meetings during visits from partners.

From the beginning we have also been informed about the difficult political and ethnic, economic and social situation in Romania. The interest shown by schools, the Lions Club of Zabergäu, and some mayors, members of the Bundestag and business leaders has given a broader base to the support for construction and social welfare projects.

In Romania, the material poverty and to some extent paralysis as well as lacking experience in development of church projects were considerable. Thus the commitment arose to help our partners in practical ways. What Brackenheim has accomplished here Ð probably 80% of it through sacrifices, donations and the very personal efforts of a small group of "ecumenical irregulars” Ð is unparalleled: aid worth over one million Deutschmark for work with street children, second-hand cars for pastors, a computer, construction of a printing-shop ...

Hans-Joachim Janus is a pastor and deputy superintendent in Massenbach. His article is taken, in slightly abridged form, from the diaconia magazine Konsequenzen, Nr. 6/2000.