The Partner Church Project:
2001 Pilgrimage
"Pilgrimage is travel with an openness to the spiritual...
...I left myself open for a while and the spiritual just came and went at will
....I must try to remember this"
-- remarks from one of our pilgrims --
In August 2001, twenty-one members of Unity Church journeyed to Homorodszentpeter (pop. 210) in Harghita County, Romania, the first visit by members from this Minnesota congregation to our partner community.
Our visit began in Budapest and included stops in Kolozsvar, Torda and Meszko as we bused to Homorodszentpeter. We spent 10 days living with families in their homes. We participated in the daily lives of the village including chores, a picnic and soccer game, church services, celebrations of both the season and new buildings, tours of Harvest Hope Pro Homorod projects, erecting a makeshift basketball hoop, and even fixing the village clock high atop the church steeple. It was a most tearful and emotional parting -- having gained a "lifetime" of experiences in little more than a week.
Our return to Budapest included a stop at the prison overlooking Deva where Francis David was imprisoned and died. There we were joined by another Harvest Hope tour - a group of first year ministers and Starr King graduates.
Since our return to Minnesota there have been many reunions of those who traveled to Transylvania. We have created a photography exhibit, developed ideas for projects in the Homorod Valley, preached a sermon on our experiences, and sold Transylvanian handicrafts and note cards to our fellow congregants. We have been touched for a lifetime.
First you fall in love. Come not to judge but to open your heart. Drink deeply of palinka and country air. Dance and sing as if you have stumbled upon an amazing party. You have. -- David Keyes
We invite you to join our pilgrimage to see a few of the images from the rich and rewarding experience that was our pilgrimage to Transylvania.
"A Part of the Circle is Missing" PDF - Read a journal report by Gary DeCramer
"Don't Be Afraid, Just Have Faith" PDF - Read Kinga's sermon
"Is This a Tour or a Pilgrimage?" PDF - Read Laurel and Eric Lein's sermon
For more information about the Partner Church Program, including how to get involved, contact Pat Haff, Coordinator of Community Outreach Ministries at the Church Office at 651-228-1456 ext. 126.