News Metro-NY Synod A Cold Wind
(Cluj, Romania) The sausages were hot and spicy; the beer was cold and so were we. It was the first Oktoberfest at the Lutheran church in Cluj, and although the sun was shining, there was a
chilly autumn wind. People shivered, especially the college student from Arizona who had come wearing sandals.
We began by giving thanks to God. This is complicated thing in our parish; it involved translating prayers into English, German, Romanian and Hungarian. Then we did the same thing for the announcements. Then -- when nobody could stand to talk any longer -- we started to eat.
The food was good. The fellowship was better. The African dance music was a surprise. We raised money to help the villages in Hungary wiped out by an industrial accident. Despite the cold, people stayed to dance, to talk, to enjoy meeting each other. The next day, many of them came to church; it was our best attended service since the summer began.
These are hard times in Romania, where unemployment is high and many jobs are behind on their payroll. It will be a cold winter, and colder still for people who may lose their homes, including some in our church.
In other words, we face the same challenges that you do. Like any Metro New York congregation, we are always looking for ways to share the Gospel across the boundaries of language and culture; we are always looking for ways to help those in need. It isn't always simple -- but trusting in God's help, it is always a joy. I pray that your ministries will be just as joyful.
To learn more about this important ministry and the work of Pastors Michael and Terri Church, please visit www.EnglishMinistryRomania.org.
