Can Roma find a way to be Christians in the Reformed Church? This means Roma need to be able to worship in their own language, sing their own songs, feel their own feelings, address their own issues, and pray their own prayers as they become an integral part of the Reformed Church, with Roma leadership encouraged and trained.
The church recognizes that unemployment is a major problem it must address in partnership with other institutions and networks in European society. Greater access to basic education is needed.
The churches in Central Europe do not want to ask external churches to actively advocate for human rights for Roma in Central and Eastern Europe. They do see that they and external churches together can be a catalyst to help people in the region be energized to address human rights issues in their own ways and with their own elected leaders.
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THE PROPHET'S CALL
Our call is rooted in the prophetic Word, enlivened by the Spirit of God, and affirmed within Christ's church. Micah 6:8 has long been a part of our spiritual formation: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." The mission with Roma is, for us, a clear response to this prophetic Word.
TO DO JUSTICE
Roma have been described as some of the most despised people on earth. In regions of Hungary and Ukraine, good health care, education, and employment is difficult at best, and in some places non-existent. In some ways things have become worse since the end of the communist era. Racism and bigotry are blatant. These are justice issues which the church, as the body of Christ, is compelled to address. We are called to support those from within Roma communities who work for basic health care, access to education, and other civil rights.
TO LOVE KINDNESS
First and foremost our work is relational. We are deeply moved by several of the encounters we have had with a variety of people. Within Roma communities, with local church leaders, and with young adults who come from abroad to give a year of their lives to working with Roma, people need to know that they are loved and are not alone. To paraphrase the opening of the Heidelberg Catechism, we all need to know that we belong. Our priority will be to develop meaningful and supportive relationships.
TO WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD
Bridges need to be built or strengthened between congregations and Roma. Roma pastors and people from their churches, and non-Roma (Gadje) pastors and church leaders are committed to difficult work, including the development of Roma congregations which sing their own songs and worship the Lord in ways true to their culture. They are involved in youth work, and in basic leadership training. The Reformed Church in Hungary is expanding its mission commitments in Europe. We are part of that team.
