Here’s the latest letter from the Minister of the Unitarian Church in Felsőrákos, our partner church. Rev. Mónika Kerekes and her husband Szabolcs really worked on creating community during the Christmas season. Zádor is their 6-month-old son.
The Advent period was very busy. We made Advent wreaths with the women and baked gingerbread on another occasion. With the children we made different Christmas decorations. Then I organised a Christmas fair to which we invited the village community, something we had never done before. On this occasion, we offered hot tea, wine and greasy bread. We sang with the young people and the children and the little ones sold the little things we had made together to raise some money for the religious activities (crayons, colouring, board games). It was a very nice occasion.
Rev. Mónika Kerekes
During the Advent season I invited the congregation to a live Advent calendar where 24 families decorated windows and the rest of us were “light hunters” looking for decorated windows in the village each night. This was also very exciting. At the end, winners were drawn to win a family photo session. For Christmas, we welcomed a theology student who spent the holiday with our family and congregation. On Christmas Eve, we had a holiday program with nearly 50 children. During the holiday, we went around the village with the young people in the evening and sang Christmas carols.
Unfortunately, there were funeral services during this time. So Christmas and Advent were very exciting and at the same time sometimes difficult, as everything had to be organised and managed. And that was not easy with a baby to raise. On New Year’s Eve we welcomed the New Year together with the community with a short service in front of the church. And last week we took the young people ice skating in Odorheiu Secuiesc, which we concluded with a dinner together. Then we also organised a dinner for the parish leadership and their families, thanking them for their work over the past year. Meanwhile, Szabolcs is also at work. Zádor is growing, more skilful and clever every day. We hope you are doing well too!
Partner Church Sunday will be March 3 and will feature goulash lunch following the second service. There will also be a special collection to help with repairs on the guesthouse.