Resolved that the Northwestern Ohio Synod establish a second companion synod with the Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Augsburg Confession in Serbia (SECAV):
That a committee be recruited to establish a dialogue with the Slovak Church, and nurture this relationship;
That we lift up the prayers of the NW Ohio Synod for God’s blessing on this new relationship.
Synod Council Resolution as passed at May 1, 2004 Meeting
Background:
SECAV has 27 congregations in three districts. Their membership is largely immigrants from Czechoslovakia. Their Slovak cultural traditions and 19th century liturgical patterns seem to be held in high regard. The languages used are Serbian in public and the marketplace but Slovak used in their church and homes. The majority of the members of congregations are elderly persons. They do not have many young people or growing families in attendance. There is a limited ministry with your people that is established outside the main worship services, mainly in Belgrade. The SECAV’s theological candidates are trained in Bratislava and they have more than are needed. These young candidates defer to their elders in awaiting a call. The SECAV congregation in Belgrade would be a good place to start a new mission ministry targeted at the young people. Slovak Zion Synod ELCA has already established a relationship with SECAV, as well as two other Slovak churches in eastern Europe, but they are small synod, and would welcome a second synod to reach out to their brothers and sisters in SECAV.
Vote by Assembly: Passed
