Bridges Vol. 2, No. 1
A reconciling beginning
During the final days of 2004 and the beginning of 2005, the
vital faith of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB)
radiated from television screens that were turned to Czech TV
2, whose high-quality programming makes it one of the most watched
stations in the nation. For example, TV listings indicated that,
on December 24, Joel Ruml, the moderator of the ECCB, would be
presenting a Christmas meditation prior to the screening of a
movie about Pope John XXIII. People who happened upon that broadcast
had a rare opportunity to experience the interface between the
promise of faith and the realities of life. After carefully lighting
a candle, Rev. Ruml began his reflections while seated at a table
in an office setting. However, a few minutes later, the scene
shifted, and Rev. Ruml was standing in the midst of a bustling
Prague Christmas market, speaking about the need that human beings
have for hope and love. Rev. Ruml then moved from the market to
the banks of the Vltava River where he continued his thoughtful
reflections. Subsequent segments of the meditation moved between
these three locations, seamlessly and beautifully, inviting viewers
into the mystery of the incarnation in a way that was accessible
and compelling. The care that went into producing that broadcast
suggests that this extremely “secular” society has
great respect for, and openness to, the Christmas assurance that
God has come to be with us, whether we are basking in candlelight,
scurrying through the market, or standing at the water’s
edge.
On January 7, St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle was the site
of an ecumenical worship service in which the tsunami victims
were memorialized. The Reverend Pavel Cerný, president
of the Czech Ecumenical Council of Churches, and Cardinal Miroslav
Vlk of the Roman Catholic Church played key roles in this service,
which concluded with a choral anthem, during which the assembled
worshipers stood in tribute to all who have died and in prayer
for all who remain at risk in Southeast Asia. Leading representatives
of the Czech Church and the Czech government were joined by a
number of concerned citizens for this moving event.
These were both inspiring events; however, the ecumenical service
that has given rise to the title of this issue of Bridges
was broadcast from the Protestant Salvatore Church on the evening
of January 1. Prior to the start of the service, Miloš Rejchrt,
the ECCB pastor of that congregation, was joined by a young woman
who recounted the religious history of the region and of the Salvatore
Church. In light of the tumultuous events that followed the Czech
Reformation and characterized the Counter-Reformation, the service
was focused on love—for fellow Christians, for tsunami victims,
and for the world. Leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, the Hussite
Church, and the ECCB were joined by the heads of the Silesian
Lutheran, Orthodox, Old Catholic, and United Methodist Churches
in reflecting on what it means to live in love. Between each of
these meditations, a series of candles were lit and prayers were
offered by individuals, couples, and children, representing other
denominations, such as the Apostolic, Seventh Day Adventist, and
Baptist Churches. These segments were linked by consecutive movements
of a powerful, contemporary setting of the Mass that drew on a
variety of languages and theological traditions. From the solemn
chiming of the concert bells with which the service began, through
Rev. Rejchrt’s sensitive narration of the oratorio, to the
final words of benediction, the service was permeated by a spirit
of reconciliation and grace. It was clear that, in spite of painful
histories and occasional tensions, the Christian churches of this
nation share a deep commitment to that which is gracious, good,
loving, and uniting! As Rev. Rejchrt so powerfully proclaimed
during a particularly meaningful part of the Mass: “The
light shines and is shining.” May it be so throughout our
fractured world.
Joyce Michael
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
177
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