Worldwide Ministries
Giving

 

Extra Commitment Opportunities


Interested? ... Contact: worldwide@lehighpresbytery.org
 

CAMPING/YOUTH EDUCATION

2005-01 - Reformed College Cluj/Kolozsvar - up to $500
     This annual Summer Camp for the Reformed College (high school) students provides spiritual programs & fellowship.  Needs include: cooking and craft supplies, camper sponsorships.  This is an ideal project for a potluck supper, one time special offering, or churches active in camping ministries.
 UPDATE: $50 contribution received

2005-02 Lorantiffy Zsuzsanna Reformed HS - up to $5000
     The HS was reestablished in 1991with two ninth grade language classes.  In 1993 the school moved into a building bought from the Jewish Community.  In 2002-2003 the historical building was returned to the Reformed Church opening great possibilities for Reformed education in Nagyvarad/Oradea on all levels, K-12. The estimated cost for the entire project is $671, 260.  The orphanage building has been rebuilt as a boarding school for 50 students.  Restoration of 11 classrooms has been completed.   By the 2005-2006 school year there are 420 full time students in 15 classes.  Two more classes are planned for 2006-7.  Students have contributed to the restoration by buying “brick tickets.”  Assistance is requested to renovate classrooms at a cost of approximately $5000 each.
 UPDATE: $500 contribution received

2005-03 Reformed Church of Orvend - up to $500
     This congregation is eager for a Church-to-Church partnership.  Pastor Endre and his wife, Hajni, have two young daughters.  As a marketing professor at Partium University, Hajni would like to teach the children in Orvend computer skills.  She has many exciting ideas and also assists the children of a local orphanage.  Hajni's requests include: computer printer ($200), annual internet service ($350), and a new computer ($400).


NEW  Reformed High School Cluj/Kolozsvar
The high school was returned after the fall of Communism.  There are currently 265 students.  Students of the choir prepared a CD that will be on sale to raise needed funds for the school.
 UPDATE: $163 contribution received
 
NEW  Talentom Foundation of Protestant Theological Institute in Cluj
This foundation supports five projects by the Theological Institute including: mission to the elderly, mission to orphans, assistance for blind children, food assistance to students of the Reformed College and assistance for seminary students and guest lecturers of the Protestant Theological Institute.  Four additional projects are in collaboration with other foundations including:  mission to latch key children, food assistance to the Agape Home for the Elderly, mission supporting mentally handicapped young people and mission supporting physically handicapped young people.



ELDER CARE

2005-04 Agape Elder House/ Cluj District - $3,500
     The Reformed church operates this facility which houses up to 15 elderly clients, who would otherwise be homeless.  The old plumbing and heating system needs to be replaced.  Middle-aged adults who emmigrate leave their homeland and their elderly parents in search of employment and a better life.  This home provides food, shelter, and care for those in need.
 UPDATE: $1000 contribution received

NEW  Reformed Shelter for the Aged Nagyvarad/Oradea 
     This shelter was opened on September 28, 2004 on property donated by a retired lawyer.  The shelter has the quality of a family home is suitable for six people.  Equiping the kitchen, dining hall and medical room are priorities.  Residents contribute 75% of their pensions and the rest is provided by the church and donations.  Three meals are provided to residents.  Medical care is provided within the family-doctor system.  Necessary medicines are provided to residents by the home.  Assistance is requested to equip the kitchen, the dining hall and the medical room in the amount of $2,500.



PARISH HOUSE RENOVATION

2005-05 Reformed Church of Vlahita/Szentegyhaza - up to $3,500
     During communism, no pastors were trained.  This congregation has struggled with pastoral issues.  And now has a young pastor who is restoring the congregation after decades of pastoral absence.  The parish house, where he lives, and the church are in very poor condition.  Extensive repairs are needed to make it habitable once again.  Any financial help would be a tremendous encouragement to the congregation and the new pastor.

2005-06 Makofalvi Reformed Parish Church/Cluj District - up to $1,000
     Rev. Istvan Zoltan is a young pastor with a wife and child.  He was called to serve this congregation after a former pastor retired.  The village people work in two private businesses, which pay substandard wages.  It's work cheap or face the 90% odds of unemployment.  The parish house needs funds to finish its renovation.  A "community house" serves as a gathering place for youth during the weekend.  This could be a potential Church-to-Church partnership progam.
 UPDATE: $1000 contribution received



NEW CHURCH CONSTRUCTION

2005-07 Reformed Church of Cluj/Kolozsvar - up to $5,000
     This is a large, growing, urban congregation founded in 1980.  It turns out pastors every two years.  Currently, the construction is under roof but they need assistance: Main entrance door ($5,000), Prayer Room entrance door ($1,400), and Prayer Room windows ($650 each, $1,950 for 3).  They began this project in 1988.  Inflation and a lack of financial resources has slowed the project.  This is a dynamic congregation interested in a Church-to-Church partnership.



HISTORIC PRESERVATION

2005-08 Reformed Church of Padurenti/Erdosinad - up to $5,000
     This church is an historical monument erected in 1783-1789.  The congregation of 420 members has experienced additional expenses in its repair.  This unique architecture would be saved as well as providing worship space for a village community.  History buffs might want to support this project and save a treasure.
 

MUTUAL MISSION

NEW  Roma-Gypsy Mission Center Nagyvarad/Oradea
     This mission center was established to respond to the unbearable living conditions of the Gypsy people.  The center provides an education program for children, free health care for the children attending the school and a lunch program.  The center also displays and supports traditional Gypsy craftsmanship.  The Center helps Roma people obtain personal papers and apply for benefits.  The Center produced a TV and radio program and is developing a website.  A Gypsy Church is in the planning stage.  Assistance is requested to operate and develop the Social Nursery for Gypsy Children for three years. The cost estimate for 2006-2008 is $14,520 or $4,840 per year.