Into the Depths of the Earth and Faith

He served because it should be so

We got to know each other during our work in the organization Jeronymova jednota. At that time he already had a large part of his active life behind him. The experiences, judgment and the practical knowledge were all there. He was also a lay preacher who had no problem preaching in German.

As I see it, Jiří Tomášek was characterized by two things: 1. faith and love towards God, which was practically transferred into his service in the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, and 2. Being a geologist who is used to drilling into the depths of the earth, he also explored the depths of faith, through the human relationship towards God and God’s effect on humans.

When he came to us and said that in the past year he had preached fifty three times, I thought he was mistaken. He was a Curator, lay leader, of his congregation in Šternberk, a Senior Curator of the Moravian-Silesian Presbytery and chairman of the central managing board of the organization Jeronymova jednota. He knew his Presbytery well and took loving care of it. According to current needs he also visited other congregations, gave advice or gathered help. I also cherished him because he was willing to listen. The meetings of the Jeronymova jednota were not always calm. Jiří could burst into a righteous fire, and a second later he calmed down again so that he could hear a reaction and give an answer. I believe he was happy that it was a team effort, not a solo one.

He loved his wife Eva. Thanks to her loving support he was able to manage it all. They were riding on the same wave. Both of them were equally committed. He rejoiced over his son and daughter-in-law. Another preacher in the family. “Verba movent, exempla trahunt” words move, examples attract.

Jiří tried to solve problems of others as well. In his domain, he did what he could. Not for fame. Not for money. He served because it should be so. That was his life and his mission as he understood and fulfilled it. Thanks to all he managed to do!

As his answer to the sad news of his death, the former chairman of the Swiss supportive organization HEKS Andreas Hess wrote: “During the long time of my cooperation with the ECCB I have experienced five Synodal Seniors, but only two chairmen of the Jeronymova jednota. Jiří and his predecessor were individuals in their positions who had a great understanding and support for the needs of the Czech diaspora. He remains in my memory with his specific personal charm.”

When you do something responsibly and with love, and you are adequately equipped for it, then you grasp others with your “magic charm”. And such was, and I regret to say is no longer, Jiří Tomášek.

Jaromír Křivohlavý