Our Partner Church in Homoródújfalu

Nestled in the beautiful Homorod Valley of the Transylvanian region of Romania lies the small village of Homoródújfalu. Here, about 100 families, primarily Unitarian and ethnically Hungarian, form a close knit agricultural community. Each household owns sheep and cows that pasture in the hills surrounding the village during the day, and return in the evening. Kitchen gardens abound and the village is surrounded by corn fields. While some villagers have found work in nearby cities, many of the young adults have left the village, and the elders remain to work the ancestral land for their livelihood.

Since the 2001 restoration, an infestation of “weeping mushroom” has been discovered (fall 2006) in the sanctuary floor and pews. We are currently fundraising to help remove and replace the rotted and infected wood and mitigate the dampness. More than $6,000 is needed. Can you help? Please contact one of us.

Co-chairs of the Partner Church Committee are Anne Greenwood, (510) 215- 6620 and Mary Pugh, (510) 390-6636; Roger Thompson, treasurer.

Below, members of the 2001 Pilgrimage gathered outside the new dairy barn in Karasconyfalva, an accomplishment of Project Harvest Hope. To become involved in the economic development plans for the region, inquire about PROJECT HARVEST HOPE, a non-profit organization that is assisting locally led projects in the Homorod Valley. The dairy farm is now operating and collaborations with a local development agency called CIVITAS are underway.

A group from our church first visited in 1990, when the partnership was re-established after a long dormant connection made in the 1920s.

Life is hard, and the villagers welcome the connection and involvement that our partnership has generated. Nearly every summer since our partnership was revitalized in 1990, UUCB members have visited the village forming lasting friendships and meaningful connections. We have participated in the confirmation ceremonies for their teens, helped renovate the parsonage and build a barn, helped purchase a house for a long desired community center, purchased their hand crafts and embroidery, played games, made music together and learned each others stories. If you are interested in the travel opportunities this summer, contact Anne Greenwood and leave a message (annegtl@sbcglobal.net or phone: 510-215-6620).

In July 2006, sixteen people journeyed to the village to celebrate the 325th anniversary of the founding of the congregation. Led by choir director Bryan Baker, 12 people sang at the celebration.

We were all hosted by village families and enjoyed their warm hospitality. Anne Greenwood and Stephanie Ann Blythe were hosted by Imre and Emma Kelemen, shown here with their son, Rev. Levente Kelemen. Levente is minister in the next village.

From left to right: Anne Greenwood, Imre and Emma Kelemen, Stephanie Ann Blythe, Rev. Levente Kelemen

Rev. Arpád Ilkei and his wife Judit are shown below. They hosted Bryan Baker, Rev. Christopher Craethnenn, and Jane (right of Judit) and Bob Lundin. We all celebrated when we learned the Ilkeis’ joyfully welcomed their second son, Csanád, born in January, 2007!

Rev. Chris Craethnenn, Michéle Voillequé and Roger Dillahunty joined together to provide two days of lively programming for village youth.

Stephanie Ann listens as Michéle demonstrates.

Stephanie Ann (left) listens as Michéle (far right) demonstrates.

Lively games created laughter and joy despite a rainy day.

Our Ministers were hosted in the home of Rev. Arpád Ilkei during the visit to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the church, August 2001.

Above left to right: Judit Ilkei, (wife) of Rev. Arpád Ilkei, Rev. Bill Hamilton-Holway, Rev. Barbara Hamilton-Holway and our translator Lazslo on the last day of our visit in August 2001.

This is of one of the children in our village holding a card from a child made at UUCB in July 2001. She made the necklace with beads and materials we brought to share during a fun project in their school room.

A grand celebration was held to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the church building which, together with its magnificent bell tower, was restored via village labor, professional help and significant funding donated by UUCB members. Shown above is the newly restored sanctuary of Homoródújfalu Unitarian Church. The building was dedicated 4 August 2001, when our ministers traveled with 11 people from our UUCB congregation for the occasion.

Our Partner Church in Homoródújfalu, Transylvania