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The Columbia Mission Network has a mailing list which you can learn more about at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pcusa_colombia/.
To join that mailing list, send a message to Subscribe: pcusa_colombia-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
The Malawi Mission Network has their own website at http://www.malawinetwork.org
The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethern (ECCB) has printed an excellent brochure which summarizes the faith, purpose, history, characteristics and work of their denomination. Contact with the church can be made by mail at the following address:
Ceskobratrska cirkev evangelicka
Junmannova 9, P.O.Box466, 111 21
Praha 1, Czech Republic,
or by phone: +420 224 999 211 or fax: +420 224 999 219
or by email: srcce@srcce.cz, or through their web page: http://www.srcce.cz
It is worth quoting the Moderator, Joel Ruml in an address which proclaims the purpose for all of our churches, "There are many organizations and associations in which people cannot avoid meeting others. There are other groups which exist so that people can come together in them. Other associations want people to be enriched within the meeting and to be on good terms therein. There is only one fellowship which is concerned that people meet with one another, that they meet with God revealed in Jesus Christ, and that they create a family of faith together that is the church."
Pictures and text illustrate and inform the reader under the following headings:
"We are a united reformation church."
They begin with the Edict of Toleration in 1781 and are linked through the centuries with
all the world-renowned reformers.
"We are cultivating creative partnerships with others."
The church is influenced by the ecumenical movement, having received assistance from
many churches in the redevelopment since freedom from Communism, and they are
assisting foreign brothers and sisters, as in the Ukraine and Romania.
"We exist in congregations."
Prayer, Sunday services, and small group meetings during the week characterize the
activity of the congregations.
"We have a presbyterian democaracy and men and women pastors and theologians."
The highest body of the church is the Synod, in which all congregations are represented
by elected delegates. Future pastors are educated at the Protestant Theological Faculty
of Charles University in Prague.
"We are looking for a path to financial self-sufficiency."
Much of pastors' salaries are still paid by the state, as was the case during Communist
times. At present congregations contribute to a "personnel fund" and finance their
own operation.
"We want to go beyond church buildings and to serve others."
The Diaconia of the ECCB was restored in 1989 and now connects and coordinates the
work of 33 social service centers. The ECCB sends workers to the army, to hospitals,
participates in religious broadcasting and published its own magazines.
The Revs. John & Joyce Michael, PC(USA) Mission Co-workers in the Czech Republic, have been visiting congregations in our presbytery, telling about their work and about the life of our partner church, the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren. Joyce and John wish to call our attention to a special occasion to be lifted up in prayer and celebration today.
A new church building will be dedicated today, Sunday, Oct. 8, in Prague, Czech Republic. This in spite of the fact that thousands of dollars are still needed for completion of the building.
This is the Milic of Kromeriz Church, about which John & Joyce have written, including most-recently in their letter of April, 2006 that can be found here:
http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/letters/michaelj/michaelj_0604.htm
Rejoice and give thanks!