Romania
Romania still struggles after its 1989 emergence from the forty-year dictatorship of Nicolae Ceau¸sescu. Believing that a densely populated country meant a powerful country, Ceau¸sescu penalized those who had no children and rewarded those who had many. The results included increased poverty, homelessness, and thousands of children abandoned to government orphanages. One of the organizations the PC(USA) works with in Romania is New Opportunities for Romanian Orphaned Children (NOROC). The organization helps answer the needs of the more than 125,000 children living in orphanages. Mission co-worker Mary Ferris works with NOROC, assisting with three different programs — Big-Hearted Grannies, Big-Hearted Teachers, and Big-Hearted Friends.
Slovakia
The Rev. Martin Jurco of the Church of the Brethren in the Slovak Republic and his wife, Anna, have a vibrant ministry with the children and youth of Michalovce in eastern Slovakia. In the past, Presbyterians in the United States have helped with financial support for their summer Bible camps.
In the summer of 2007, the Jurcos held a sports camp for forty-five children and their friends. They played games, participated in drama, sang songs, and heard the message of the gospel. Many families could not afford even half the cost, so scholarships were awarded. One went to Majka, who had received Christ through the Jurcos’ ministry. Majka was especially glad to participate in the camp because her family had moved and in her new village she hadn’t been able to spend time with Christian children.
PC(USA) People in Mission
Rev. Mary Ferris, youth and children’s worker, New Opportunities for Romanian Orphaned Children
Partners/Ministries
Reformed Church in Romania
Reformed Church in Romania, Cluj Diocese: Bishop Geza Pap
Reformed Church in Romania, Oradea Diocese: Bishop Lászlo Tökes
Casuta Noastra Orphanage
United Protestant Theological Institute
Ecumenical Association of Churches in Romania-AIDRom
Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia: Géza Erdélyi, bishop
Church of the Brethren in the Slovak Republic: Ing. Ján Henzel, moderator
Ecumenical Council of Churches in the Slovak Republic: Ondrej Prostrednik, general secretary
Presbytery Partnerships: Flint River Presbytery and Lehigh Presbytery with the Reformed Church in Romania
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Elder Robert J. Kukla, CFCS
Vincent Lamazza, BOP
Dear Lord, we pray for those who work in faraway places and under difficult conditions.
We praise you that even there your message of love is lived out and received. Thank you for faithful servants who answer your call to share your word. Amen.
Ps. 57, 145 Ps. 85, 47
1 Sam. 10:17–27
Acts 7:44–8:1a; Luke 22:52–62
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