Round Table 2011

It has, in recent years, become a tradition that on the last Sunday of the church year partners of the ECCB from Germany and Switzerland meet in Prague for two days, to discuss and to coordinate the support of our Church work. Also this year, representatives from seven German Churches (the Evangelical Church of Hessen and Nassau, the Evangelical Church in Rhineland, the Evangelical Church in Baden, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony, the Evangelical Church of Palatinate as well as the Evangelical reformed Church) and representatives of three charities GAW (Gustaf-Adolf-Werk), HEKS (Swiss Interchurch Aid) and CPCE (Community of Protestant Churches in Europe) / AGDE (committee of Diaspora works in Europe) were guests of the ECCB. The Czech side presented several projects in the areas of youth work, education, software for the church office and several construction projects. Diakonia asked for support of a project to strengthen the Christian identity in their facilities. The atmosphere during the negotiations was friendly and constructive, the discussions transparent. The guests made it clear that they want to help where something is happening in the church. In the context of the round table there was also a conversation about the future of the ECCB regarding the proposed property equalization between the state and the churches. It became clear that we see our partners not only as a source of financial aid, although this is important, but that the mutual exchange about concerns and experiences in various aspects of our work has major significance. For our small Diaspora Church this support provides strength for which we are grateful.

Daniela Hamrová