Celebration of Presence and Community

The main square of Debrecen was filled with a celebratory community: thousands of Reformed believers gathered in front of the main church for the opening of the Unity Day. József Steinbach, Ministerial President of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary, was the first to share his thoughts. Building on the motto of the Unity Day, the Bishop said in his message that the true future is not to be found in political or economic systems, but in Jesus, who has conquered death and offers us eternal life. József Steinbach, quoting the prophet Jeremiah - "Sow a new plough, and do not sow among thorns" (Jer 4:3b) - called attention to the need for spiritual renewal. He reminded us that following Christ can only be done in community. Jesus, he said, called his disciples to community and sent them together to the other shore, which is the shore of service, of help, of healing and ultimately of eternal life. He also pointed out that the world today needs to hear the gospel. The Bishop emphasised that in a world full of need and crisis, the mission of the Reformed community is to authentically represent the hope of Christ.

Mayor László Papp placed the event in a historical context, highlighting the role of Debrecen in shaping the Hungarian Reformed identity. He recalled that the city has been a cradle of Protestant thought since the 1530s, a symbol of faith, culture and the power of community. The mayor stressed the importance of unity in the nation, the church and even interfaith relations. He praised the cooperation between the historic denominations in the city, where, he said, there is no rivalry but "the working of unity".

Márton Juhász, acting CEO of the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid, shared a story reflecting on the Bridge of Love programme, which usually coincides with Unity Day. He used the example of a little boy who lost his boat and then bought it back to demonstrate God's love: it is He who "first created us and then bought us back" - this is the essence of redemption. Márton Juhász's message was not only evangelising, but also reinforced the spiritual leitmotif of the day: God's love and nearness are real and available to all who are willing to walk towards him.

The packed Debrecen church was attended by members of the Reformed Women's Union from all over the Carpathian Basin and from all over the world. At the conference, József Steinbach, Ministerial President of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary, read from the first chapter of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians (Gal 1:10-16). It is good to know that God can solve the problems that become difficult for us, that God can deliver us with His mercy. The Lord gives us the gift of the joy of the gospel, and wants to help us and guide us in the right direction. He added that in addressing people we are instruments in God's hands, and the most important thing is to turn to others with love. The Bishop recalled the responsibility, the delicacy and the strength that women give through their service. At the end of the devotion, Joseph Steinbach blessed the members of the Women's Federation and the participants of the conference for the dedication they give in the church and in the congregations.

Afterwards, Mária Czeglédy Gaál Botondné, President of the Women's Association of the Transtibiscan Reformed Church District and Katalin Koncz-Vágási, President of the Hungarian Reformed Women's Association, praised the participants for expressing unity through their presence.

The conference was followed by Katalin Zsindely's reminiscence of Klára Zsindelyné Tüdős's dedicated and creative service, her versatility, her deep and beautiful relationship with her husband, her wartime lifesaving work and her service in the Reformed Women's Association.

Johanna Lőrincz reported on the women's association of the Reformed Theological University of Debrecen. She mentioned that their community is renewed annually due to incoming and graduating students, but they also maintain close ties with the students of the university and other women's associations. She also views the university women's association as a focal point because it enables students to learn about the workings of the women's association during their studies, while also gaining experience in various areas of service.

In her artistic testimony, fire dancer Mária Novák recalled how God led her to create and how He formed the character and story of the biblical women in her heart. The artist said that creation is a grace that happens in silence, close to God. On Unity Day, her book, “The Paintings and Stories of Seventy Biblical Women in Fire Etching,” was presented, and an exhibition of her works was opened on the floor of the main church.

At the conference, commemorative cards were presented to the jubilee and newly formed women's associations, enriching the conference with greetings, reports, communal prayer and singing, as well as musical performances.

Mária Micsinay Benedek, who lives in Argentina and moved with her family to the South American country as a little girl after World War II, participated in the Women's Conference. In response to a question from reformatus.hu, she stated that although she had initially hesitated about making the long journey, she was happy to accept the invitation to Unity Day. She said that Hungarian Reformed Christianity has always been important to her, and that she and her family have lived and continue to live their ministry according to it.

In Latin America, only Argentina has a Hungarian Reformed congregation that places great emphasis on charitable work. Mária said she was touched to be present at the Women's Conference and noted that she would take her experiences here back to Argentina.

At the event, which took place in the heart of Debrecen, the Youth Stage and its surroundings on Déri Square became a real meeting point, where participants could get acquainted with the services of various Reformed youth organisations, such as the Transylvanian Youth Christian Association (IKE), in a playful way, through personal conversations and interactive programmes. Paula Farkas, coordinator, and Ákos Pap, the diocese's youth coordinator, informed us that the IKE aims to reach out to and bring together young Reformed people in Transylvania. Their programmes include camps, spiritual occasions and small community activities. At their stand, they had message jars, publications and a puzzle about the IKE.

Representing Bárka Camp, Nikoletta Kovács, the professional leader of the camp, spoke about the importance of integrated camping. The aim of the camp is to give disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged children the opportunity experiences together - all this on the shores of Lake Balaton, using experiential education methods. He stressed that the spirit and the community-building power of the camp are what keep the children coming back year after year. On Unity Day, they prepared a special "dilemma café,” collecting messages for children and playing games together, stressing that love and acceptance are always central at the Ark.

The Sófárhangoló Public Benefit Association was presented by Luca Tóth, a member of the board. Their mission is to make worship accessible through new forms - whether it be music, poetry, or even crafts. Among the tools they use to reach young people were instrumental music samplers, quizzes and music notebooks, all of which help to personalise the worship experience.

István Francois Apjok, the operational officer of the Soli Deo Gloria Reformed Students' Movement (SDG), highlighted their evangelical mission, which has been serving young people for thirty-one years. Their various programmes, such as Bible reading journals and covenant release boxes, all aim to make faith not just a subject, but a living relationship. At the SDG booth, visitors were treated to both spirituality and play, for whom the communal experience conveyed the message "we are one in Christ.”

Every year, the Starpoint Festival is one of the most inspiring Christian youth events, and this year's Unity Day visitors were offered a special discount on tickets to this year's event, as well as a variety of gifts and personal talks to showcase what the Starpoint experience is all about. The message is clear: faith can be a festival experience as well as a church experience.

The Reformed Theological University of Debrecen was also represented as host. In addition to colourful installations, prize games and interactive quizzes, information about theological careers and university opportunities for faith life was provided.

In the afternoon, a real spiritual and musical recharge awaited those who flocked to the Youth Stage. The series of concerts was opened by the First Step Orchestra from Debrecen. Singer-guitarist Zoltán Bertha said that they addressed the audience with the meeting of praise music and contemporary Christian popular music - authentically, sincerely, with soul. He added that being a musician from Debrecen is both a responsibility and a joy. The band has already released an album (Szárnyalok), and now they have brought the songs from their second album to the Unity Day audience. First Step aims to be a bridge to those who are still seeking God.

In the continuation, the Transylvanian duo Mésa from Cluj-Napoca also performed. To close the evening, the band Neonhal from Debrecen provided unforgettable moments. Their concert was not only about sounds, but also about deep thoughts and praise to God. Before the concert, Imre Tamás Nagy, the singer-guitarist of the band, said, “Our songs have a Christian spirit, all our lyrics point to God, but not in a direct way. Anyone who listens will understand the message, even if the name of Jesus is not in every line. This ‘hidden direct message’ lies precisely in the fact that Neonhal's music is able to start a dialogue in the hearts of both believers and seekers. It can be a single verse of a song that points someone towards God," he explains. Speaking about the Unity Day, the musician stressed, “This is the foundation on which we can build, even if it is becoming increasingly difficult to cross over between generations.”

According to the Youth Department of the Synod Office of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Unity Day succeeded in demonstrating that faith and the Reformed Church are alive, personal, and youthful. And the exhibiting organisations addressed the participants in different languages and content, but with a common faith.

In the courtyard of the Reformed College of Debrecen, the alumni craft fair offered special encounters, where we had the chance to talk to a bookbinder, a jeweller, a lace-maker and a graphic designer, and to try how a felt ball bounces. All of them were once students at the college, some of them have a vocation in handicrafts, and some create for recreation. The fair has been organised for years by Tímea Bee, a jewellery maker and metalsmith living in the United States, who makes jewellery from recycled materials, among other things, and a keychain and badge for the students of the Reformed College. The Museum of the Reformed College of Debrecen hosted temporary chamber exhibitions on the occasion of the Unity Day, and the Great Library and the Oratory, which also preserve centuries-old manuscripts and books, were also open to the participants.