Oltheviz, Transylvania, Romania

Dear Congregation:

After worship this Sunday, I hope you will come to the social hall and write a note to our partner congregation in the town of Oltheviz, in the region of Transylvania, in Romania. The minister there, Istvan, and his wife, Melinda, and their daughter, Karola, visited here in 2013. Over the decades, TJMC members have visited there for mutual learning and understanding. I am very excited that on July 15, I will be sharing in worship with them and am honored to be giving the sermon. I will be in their village for three days. After my return, I hope to share with you photos, and a deeper understanding of the issues they are facing there.

I will also journey with other UU ministers to the Unitarian “capital”, Kolosvar, to celebrate the 450th Anniversary of the Declaration of Religious Freedom. After that, our pilgrimage includes a four day retreat with Hungarian Unitarian Ministers. My soul is grateful for this pilgrimage time to reflect on the 10 years since I graduated seminary and the 8 years that I have been serving this congregation. To mark this point in my journey, I am using my savings for some reflection time, connection with new and old colleagues, and experiential education. Already, our trip leader has sent us spiritual reflection questions for us as we prepare to journey next week.

—Rev. Alex