Eco-Congregations in the Reformed Church in Hungary

Rev Ian Alexander, Rev Tamás Kodácsy, Right Rev David Arnott, Rev Eszter Karsay

The Right Reverend David Arnott, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland recently visited Hungary and met Tamas Kodácsy, who is leading the development of Ökogyülekezet, the eco-congregation movement in Hungary.  He reports on his visit.

The Reformed Church in Hungary (RCH) has an historic connection with the Church of Scotland and an exciting growth point is our common interest in eco-congregations.  Their 'Church Market Garden' programme is trying to establish a direct link between rural farmers and the urban consumers of the church.

It arose out of a sense of responsibility for our created world, all human beings, animals and vegetables.
At the end of September 2011 they celebrated Creation Time 'Recycling. . . .so that nothing may be lost.' For the first time this was celebrated ecumenically with discussion leaflets, brochures and posters. The working group set up by the RCH contains many of the leading thinkers and activists on green issues in Hungary and recently they were invited by the Hungarian government to contribute to an on-going discussion. I am really pleased that the Church of Scotland is working with the RCH to support eco-congregations both in Hungary and in Scotland and that we can work and learn together to care for creation. 

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Ökogyülekezet (Eco-Congregation) Hungary recently launched a web site which can be found here: http://www.okogyulekezet.hu/