There is sad and glad news from our friends in Felsőrákos. Our first partner minister, the Rev. József Kotecz, sent news that his step-daughter, Réka’s daughter, Ottilia, died of cancer December 29 in Toronto, Canada. If you would like to send a sympathy card, their address is as follows:

József Kotecz
Strada 1 Decembrie 1918 #14
Bl. 10 Ap.2
525100 Baraolt
Jud: Covasna
Romania

Glad tidings are that Rev. Mónika is due to have their second child about February 9. It will be historic in that the baby will be the first girl born in the parish house in 200 years! Mónika is now on maternity leave and is not sure how much she will take, but the government allows 2 years at 75% pay. The minister from a nearby village will provide Sunday services and other ceremonies as necessary.

Their Christmas was full of activities for the congregation. Besides the Advent windows in homes, 24 individuals each read a Christmas story on Facebook and posted it so that congregants could read one each night. The children’s fair gets bigger each year and Santa came to visit in person.
There were more than 100 children in church on the 24th! Oranges and chocolate for each.

UUCS will celebrate this enduring partnership with a service and lunch on March 15.