Dear in Christ,
Advent greetings from Croatia and Serbia. We are happy to share news from our churches with you, to present our visions and needs. Although we try to do as much as we can with our modest capabilities, we would not be able to do what we do without the help of those whom God has placed on their hearts to support the mission.
Please, carefully read these news (as well as the previous ones, which you can see at the link below) and if God puts any aspect of our work on your heart, as we have stated here, we will be grateful for your help. For all questions, you can contact us at bishop.jmilic@gmail.com.
Follow us on our English fb page https://www.facebook.com/ReformedEpiscopalChurchInCroatia
OSIJEK
REFORMATION DAY
Since our roots in Croatia date back to the time of the Reformation (based on the church in Tordinci, which has been active since the 16th century), every year we celebrate the Reformation Day, i.e. the closest Sunday to October 31st. It was especially festive in Osijek on 10/29/2023. where we held an exhibition of historical documents from our Museum of the Reformation. Visitors could see our rich heritage, while Bishop Jasmin Milić gave an interview to two radio stations about the history of the Church and current activities.
FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING
On the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate the Sunday of Christ the King. This is how it was in Osijek.
TORDINCI
A team from the USA cleaned the parish house
The team that came from Pennsylvania over the summer to work with Roma (children and youth) as part of the Roma Bible Union organization, were very active in evangelism and helping to clean up the parish house and Church in Tordinci.
On September 17, believers from Karlovac and Zagreb, together with guests from the Presbyterian Church in America, have visited Tordinci parish.
See more about the confirmation performed by Bishop Ray Sutton here.
KAPELNA
The team from Pennsylvania (USA) spent ten days in Croatia, working with the Roma Bible Union mission led by our priest Rev. Bob Hitching. Together with other Roma children from different Christian churches, there were also our children from the REC Kapelna. It was a blessed time teaching biblical truths in a way accessible to them.
Providing for families in Kapelna
These days in Kaplena, meat was prepared from our small pig farm to help families in Kaplena.
We distributed nearly 500 kilos of meat to 12 families in our Church network in Kapelna.
The Church has sponsored a homeless family by helping them renovate a run down property and then move in. We provide the materials and the Roma do the all the actual construction work.
One of the families that have been in the Church for several years are still at the center of activities. Katarina second from the left, confirmed by the Bishop six years ago is now sponsored by the Church at a special vocational school. We sponsor her food, accommodation, school supplies, school fees and a bicycle.
NEEDS FOR KAPELNA
- Repair of the church roof – $5,000
- Printing of an abbreviated version of the BCP in the Romani language (Morning and Evening Prayer as well as the Eucharistic Service) – $2000
- For children’s Christmas packages – $300
KARLOVAC
LECTURE ON CROATIAN REFORMER GRGUR VLAHOVIĆ
On the eve of The Reformation Day, October 30, 2023. in the Illyrian Hall of the “Ivan Goran Kovačić” City Library in Karlovac, the Reformed Episcopal Church held a special lecture on Grgur Vlahović, the famous reformer from Ribnik near Ozalj (Croatia)
A memorial plaque that will stand in his birthplace was also presented.
The lecture was given by Dr. Janez Weiss, historian of the Črnomelj Museum, who also presented recently discovered information about Vlahović that has yet to be included in scientific articles. The event was moderated by canon Dr. Almir Pehlić, pastor of the Reformed Episcopal Church in Karlovac.
About Grgur Vlahović
Croatian reformer Grgur Vlahović was born on March 12, 1523.
He was born in Ribnik and already as a young man came into contact with the Glagolitic scribes and priests. After his education, he was ordained a priest. Under the influence of the linguist and reformer Primož Trubar, he converted to Protestantism in 1550. As a preacher, he worked in the area of Metlika and later Novi Mesto and Brežice. He also preached on the ban’s estates, such as Cesargrad, Okić and Želin.
“Vjekoslav Klaić from Klombner’s letter to Ivan Ungnad (March 13, 1563) emphasizes Vlahović’s ministry of preaching the gospel with great power, and him as the best preacher. Bučar from that letter points out that Vlahović won over the whole region up to ten miles around and converted it to a new faith…” (Stanko Jambrek, Reformation in Croatian lands, p. 225).
He collaborated with Ivan Ungnad and Anton Dalmatin on the projects of the Bible Institute in Urach. The books that were translated there later enriched Croatian and Slovenian life both spiritually and culturally. The Institute was supported by Ban Petar II Erdody.
He was expelled by the Catholic bishops and moved often. He preached in Protestant churches in Croatia and Slovenia. He found refuge on Frankopan estates. He died in 1581 in Ljubljana.
NEEDS FOR KARLOVAC
– Karlovac Church does not own a property, so the church is still renting the worship space. Christ the King REC Karlovac needs to raise $3000 for year 2024. If you can help this congregation, please contact the Reformed Episcopal Church in Croatia.
ZAGREB
On Friday, September 15, in Zagreb, the lecture “The Sanctity of Life: The Battle for the Unborn” was held. The goal of the lecture was to share the experiences of non-governmental organization workers in America and Croatia who advocate for the preservation of the life of the unborn children and providing help to young families.
Gail Burford spoke on behalf of the organization “Choices Pregnancy Services” from Pennsylvania, Rev. Rick Appleton from the Presbyterian Church in America, and Martina Lukić, president of the Croatian Movement for Life and Family. This is the first such lecture, and in the future the Reformed Episcopal Church in Zagreb will organize additional conferences, lectures and round tables on this topic.
NEEDS FOR ZAGREB
– Zagreb does not own its own worship space so they have to rent it from the Evangelical Methodist Church. The rent costs $100 per month. We need to raise funding for year 2024. If you are interested in helping, please contact Reformed Episcopal Church in Croatia.
SPLIT
Our Ley reader from Split, Igor Peričić, defended on 28.11.2023. Master’s thesis (MA) at the Evangelical Theological Seminary.
NEEDS FOR SPLIT
– Unfortunately, the Methodist church that we used for worship until recently has been sold. We have to rent the space, at least once a month, for which we need $200. For one year, we need $2,400 for the space once a month. We don’t want to give up Split congreagtion and that’s why we need help to be able to hold a worship service at least once a month.
MISSION OPPORTUNITY!
– Split, like the whole of Dalmatia, is a very popular tourist destination in Croatia. Our vision is to start English services, especially during the summer time when there are the most tourists. Perhaps one of the priests from the USA could come to Split and spend, time ministering and holding services in English for tourists and others who are interested in following the service in English (especially young people).
BELGRADE
On Saturday, 25.11.2023. Bishop Jasmin Milić held the morning prayer together with the recently ordained deacon. Sergej Beuk. After the service, a meeting of the teaching council of the Anglican Theological Institute in Belgrade was held.
In October, 39 Articles of Religion of the Anglican Church were published in Serbian. This is the first edition of in the Serbian language.
NEEDS FOR BELGRADE
– To hold worship services twice a month we need $300 (for space and travel expenses) which is $3,600 per year
– We want to print an abbreviated version of the BCP in Serbian (morning and evening and Eucharistic service) in Serbian. For a smaller circulation (needs of our believers and visitors) we need $2,000
– Belgrade is strategically important to us as the capital of Serbia. It would be good if we had a missionary for Belgrade (and Serbia) for a longer or shorter time.
Our clergy and lay ministers
Rt. Rev. Jasmin Milić, PhD, received his master’s degree (MTh) and doctorate (PhD) at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek. He is the author of 13 books, and ministers as the rector of parishes in Osijek and Tordinci and a Church planter in Belgrade (Serbia). Likewise, he taught at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek, where he also worked for a time as the Dean for External Studies, and at the Protestant Theological Faculty in Novi Sad (Serbia), where he worked as the Academic Dean. For over 20 years, he taught religious education in two state (public) schools, and for ten years hosted the radio show “Sources of Faith”, which was broadcast on over 20 radio stations throughout Croatia.
Rev. Canon Almir Pehlić, ThD, completed his BTh at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek and received his master’s degree (MDiv) and doctorate (ThD) at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek. He is the rector of the churches in Karlovac and Zagreb and a church planter in Split. Also, he is the academic dean and a lecturer at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary. In 2022, he published his second book of poetry.
Rev. Damir Sitar, MDiv, completed his studies at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek (MTh) and at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek (MDiv). Also holds B.A. in Pedagogy degree from University of Osijek. He is the priest of the Romani parish in Kapelna, and serves as the president of our humanitarian organization PASTIR (Protestant Samaritan Work). Likewise, he also works as an Educator at the Center for Youth Education.
Rev. Nenad Adžić, MDiv, completed the study of Economics and BTh at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek and MDiv at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek. He is the Assistant pastor in Tordinci, and is employed at the tax service and serves the church part-time. Also, he is the editor of the very influential Christian website Novi Život (New Life).
Rev. Bob Hitching, ThD, completed his master’s degree (MDiv) and doctorate (ThD) at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek. He comes from Great Britain and is a missionary priest of the Roma parish in Kapelna. For over 30 years, he has been actively engaged in missionary work with the Roma, and is the founder of the organization Roma Bible Union.
Deacon Sergej Beuk, ThD, completed the study of Pedagogy (BA) at the Faculty of Philosophy in Sarajevo and Belgrade, and Cultural Studies (MA) at the Faculty of Culture and Media in Belgrade. He studied theology (MTh) at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek. Currently serves as a Church Planter in Belgrade. He is employed at the Belgrade Youth Center as a Program director, where he organised over 2.500 programs and projects in the fields of theology, philosophy and culture. He published scientific papers in the country and abroad, along with three professional monographs. Likewise, he is the president of the Anglican Theological Institute in Belgrade.
Lay Reader Saša Maligec, PhD, serves in the Church of the Good Shepherd in Osijek as a Lay Reader and as a Cantor. He completed the study of theology (BTh) at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek and received a doctorate in economics (PhD) at the University of Osijek. He is employed at the Croatian Electric Industry.
Lay Reader Domagoj Rade, serves in the church in Karlovac. He completed the program of Computer Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology (B.Sc.), and is currently studying at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary.
Lay Reader Igor Peričić, BTh and MA in theology, completed his studies at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek. He serves as a Church Planter in Split, and also works as a Tourist guide.